Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff today announced the addition of 16 new sites to the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The announcement marks the end of National Parks Week this year.
HARRISBURG, PA -- Responding to robust public input, the National Park Service announced plans to make the park experience more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors through its final visitor use management plan for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. The plan will allow for free entry, enhance trails, expand picnicking areas, and improve accessibility for those with disabilities.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act. The historic bill permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund, guaranteeing $900 million annually for the improvement of our parks. It also provides $9.5 billion over five years to address the nearly $12 billion backlog of maintenance projects across national parks and public lands.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz.— The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to hear the mining industry’s challenge to the 20-year ban on new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.
GRAND CANYON, AZ – Emmy-nominated actress Yvonne Strahovski (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) stars in a new video out today calling for protection of the Grand Canyon from toxic uranium mining. The actress recently joined a Sierra Club outing to the Grand Canyon region with her husband, actor Tim Loden, to experience the wonder of Arizona’s immense national park and to see first-hand the need to permanently protect it.
Last night, the Trump Administration approved a $2.5 billion energy project near Joshua Tree National Park. The Eagle Crest Energy Company’s 1,300 megawatt hydropower project would drain billions of gallons of water from the desert aquifer and harm local desert species.
The Department of the Interior has withdrawn plans to massively increase fees for visitors to U.S. national parks, instead proposing modest increases. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke had previously proposed to increase fees to as much as $70 at many popular national parks. Polling by the Outdoors Alliance for Kids found that the proposed hikes were highly unpopular and would prevent many families from visiting.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Groups will gather in front of the Department of the Interior building tomorrow to deliver a message of thankfulness for America’s national parks and a call for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to abandon plans for a rate hike that could prevent people from continuing to enjoy them. The event takes place the same day as the annual White House turkey pardon.
In the latest move to keep the public out of public lands, E&E News is reporting that the Trump administration is planning to permanently end recreational use on the National Mall. The proposal looks at closing 28 athletic fields on the National Mall and at Rock Creek Park.
In an interview with NPR’s 1A today, Deputy Interior Secretary David Bernhardt defended a proposal by Interior Secretary Zinke to raise entry fees at some national parks by as much as 200%, saying the cost is on par with what it costs his family to see a 3-D movie.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the FY18 budget resolution (216-212) which advances drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
LOS ANGELES-- Sierra Club Ambassador Kiersey Clemons joined a three day Sierra Club Outing to Bears Ears National Monument in Utah to experience the extraordinary red-rock terrain and deep history of Tribal Nations tied to this area. The monument is at the center of the Trump administration's plans to roll back protections for iconic lands across the country. Watch the just released video from Clemons’ trip here: https://youtu.be/WAQxN5DTmVU