Big push for big park project

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – Time may be running out on a proposal that could inject billions of dollars into national parks, according to the Rocky Mountain Nature Association.

RMNA Executive Director Curt Buchholtz says July may be the last opportunity for Congress to pass the National Park Centennial Initiative.

The proposal is in anticipation of the National Park Service's 100-year anniversary in 2016.

The plan calls for an extra $3 billion for the national parks over the next decade.

Proposed by the Bush Administration, the initiative has been floating around both the House and the Senate for some time now waiting for a vote.

With the possibility of lawmakers breaking early to prepare for the national conventions, Buchholtz thinks the initiative may fall by the wayside if not passed soon.

"July will be critical," Buchholtz said. "We stand the best chance in that month."

This spring, Congress did appropriate $25 million to Centennial projects across the country.

Rocky Mountain National Park received $112,500 for youth education programs in the park.

"We're very pleased," said Buchholtz. "Hopefully we'll pass the legislation so we can give to our youth for the next decade."

The initiative has two separate parts.

One would place an extra $100 million onto the Park Service budget each year for 10 years.

The second is called the Centennial Challenge. The federal government would match up to $100 million of private donations for particular projects each year.

The National Park Service says the goal of the Centennial Initiative is to reinvigorate the park system "to ensure America's national parks continue to thrive into the next 100 years."

The proposal does have its critics.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has stated, "Donor influence may lead to selection of questionable projects."

It also claims that new projects would bring new infrastructure, which, in turn, would mean the need for more park maintenance.