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Park Service promises travel cuts
Washington, Mar 27: Reacting to stern criticism in Congress, the National Park Service sought to dispel notions Thursday that its spending priorities were out of line and that it had muzzled employees who might want to speak out.
Washington, Mar 27: Reacting to stern criticism in Congress, the National Park Service sought to dispel notions Thursday that its spending priorities were out of line and that it had muzzled employees who might want to speak out.
"Who`s minding the store here? Are you all sort of oblivious to what`s going on?" Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Washington, demanded of Park Service Director Fran Mainella.
Mainella said she would immediately halt any more spending for foreign travel and cut 10 percent from domestic travel spending.
She acknowledged that million-dollar projects were getting under way without her consent and said any costing more than $1 million would require approval from her or Interior Secretary Gale Norton. Mainella said the Park Service was working hard to improve management and make sure dollars were well spent.
"All agencies have to face increased costs -- we`re no different," Mainella told the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees Park Service money. "It`s a balancing act ... just like a home."
Republicans and Democrats said they had helped the agency`s budget grow steadily the past decade, yet Park Service officials still planned to cut back on services and hours at parks.
"You can`t sit here and tell me, across this table, that services aren`t eroding in the national parks," Rep. Norman Dicks, D-Washington, told Mainella.
The Park Service asked for $102 million more than Congress approved for this year`s $2.56 billion budget, including $1.6 billion for park operations. The rest is for building projects, acquiring land, historic preservation and maintenance.
A parks advocacy group reported last week the national parks are underfunded by $600 million a year, forcing cuts that threaten resources and undermine visitors` enjoyment. Former Park Service employees last week released an agency memo e-mailed in February to park superintendents in the Northeast. It suggested plans to keep some parks and visitor centers open fewer hours this summer or to scale back on guided ranger tours and lifeguards at some beaches.
Bureau Report
Mainella said she would immediately halt any more spending for foreign travel and cut 10 percent from domestic travel spending.
She acknowledged that million-dollar projects were getting under way without her consent and said any costing more than $1 million would require approval from her or Interior Secretary Gale Norton. Mainella said the Park Service was working hard to improve management and make sure dollars were well spent.
"All agencies have to face increased costs -- we`re no different," Mainella told the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees Park Service money. "It`s a balancing act ... just like a home."
Republicans and Democrats said they had helped the agency`s budget grow steadily the past decade, yet Park Service officials still planned to cut back on services and hours at parks.
"You can`t sit here and tell me, across this table, that services aren`t eroding in the national parks," Rep. Norman Dicks, D-Washington, told Mainella.
The Park Service asked for $102 million more than Congress approved for this year`s $2.56 billion budget, including $1.6 billion for park operations. The rest is for building projects, acquiring land, historic preservation and maintenance.
A parks advocacy group reported last week the national parks are underfunded by $600 million a year, forcing cuts that threaten resources and undermine visitors` enjoyment. Former Park Service employees last week released an agency memo e-mailed in February to park superintendents in the Northeast. It suggested plans to keep some parks and visitor centers open fewer hours this summer or to scale back on guided ranger tours and lifeguards at some beaches.
Bureau Report