HomeMy WebLinkAbout1209 - SUPPORT for national parksRESOLUTION 1209
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A RELIABLE AND PREDICTABLE STREAM OF
RESOURCES FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND THE ENTIRE
NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO, HEREBY FINDS
AND RECITES:
A. America's National Park System is a living testament to our citizens' valor, our nation's
hardships, our victories, our most treasured landscapes, and our traditions as Americans, and has
been called "America's Best Idea;" and
B. The National Park System preserves the diversity, culture, and heritage of all Americans,
and serves as a living classroom for future generations; and
C. In 2017, the National Park Service is entering its second century and currently manages
more than 415 nationally significant sites and an invaluable collection of more than 75,000
natural and cultural assets that span more than 84 million acres across all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and several U.S. territories and insular areas; and
D. The National Park Service's mission is "to conserve the scenery and the natural and
historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such
manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
generations;" and
E. Rocky Mountain National Park, located partially in Boulder County, has celebrated its
100 -year anniversary and saw 4.5M visitors in 2016 and is an important ecological system held
for future generations, covered by the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, the
Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Clean Air Act (1977); and
F. Rocky Mountain National Park is an important economic driver providing almost $300
million in visitor spending from 4.5 million visitors for gateway communities like Boulder, as
well as 4,600 jobs created by the park; and
G. In 2017, the National Park Service estimated a deferred maintenance backlog of nearly
$12 billion in all parks, and more than $62M in Rocky Mountain National Park, which includes
repairs to aging historical structures, trails, sewers, drainage, thousands of miles of roads,
bridges, tunnels, and other vital infrastructure; and
H. It is the responsibility of Congress to maintain America's national parks to ensure our
natural places and our history is preserved and documented for future generations, and for the
adjacent communities that rely on the direct and indirect economic benefits generated by visits to
national park sites.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BOULDER, COLORADO:
Section 1. That the City of Boulder strongly encourages Congress to create a reliable and
predictable stream of resources to address park staffing and deferred maintenance needs
necessary to improve ecological conditions and to provide for the enjoyment of future
generations in America's National Park System.
Section 2: That the City Manager be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the city's
congressional delegation.
ADOPTED this 20th day of June, 2017.
ATTEST:
City>+k