Preserve our nation’s parkland

Writer and historian Wallace Stegner called national parks “the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”

For over 100 years, this best idea has been nurtured by the National Park Service (NPS). Since 1916, the American people have entrusted the NPS with the care of our most special and beautiful places — our national parks. Today the NPS also works beyond parks, helping communities preserve their history and create close to home outdoor experiences. Just within Texas, the NPS manages 14 areas, which include our two spectacular national parks: Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains.

As an outdoor enthusiast, I continue to experience the diverse beauty found in our national parks with awe. Top on my list is Texas’ own Big Bend National Park; one of the most remote national parks in the U.S. My most special and memorable college adventure was taking a bus from New York to Texas while on Christmas break to meet friends and spend 10 wonderful days back-packing and exploring Big Bend’s diverse terrain. A truly serene and amazing holiday blessed with the beautiful gifts of nature — a fantastic mixture of desert, mountain and canyon scenery.

In Texas, national parks are not just places that protect important pieces of our environment and heritage. They’re also major economic engines for communities. This point was confirmed by recently released economic numbers from the Department of the Interior. Last year, Texas national parks produced over $288 million in visitor spending while supporting over 4,000 jobs in gateway communities, according to the Department’s numbers. Texas communities rely on our parks as a key part of their prosperity.

But as record-breaking crowds flock to our national parks this year, spending tourism dollars along the way, our parks are facing an incredible challenge: more than $12 billion in needed infrastructure repairs, and not enough money to fix them. These range from unmaintained trails, to crumbling roads, to visitor centers built over 50 years ago in desperate need of updating. Some things can be replaced later at increased expense if left beyond repair, but many others, like historical buildings, cannot.

In Texas alone, our parks have more than $147 million in repair needs that the park service cannot afford to make.

This decaying infrastructure jeopardizes both the future of our beautiful, treasured pieces of America’s heritage, and the local economies that they significantly support. As a Civil Engineer, I also respect the reality that infrastructure erodes with time; jeopardizing physical integrity and public safety if not properly maintained.

National parks, whether natural wonders or bridges that connect history, need our help. Thankfully, the recently introduced bi-partisan National Parks Legacy Act of 2017 takes the right approach by dedicating unallocated onshore and offshore mineral royalty revenue to fund national park repairs over the next thirty years. It’s a proposal worthy of Texas lawmakers’ support. Our national parks, and the economy that relies on them, deserve this wise investment.

Congress created the National Park Service a century ago to protect America’s treasured natural, historical and cultural sites and to ensure that all people can enjoy these beautiful treasures. It is Congress’ responsibility to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to fulfill that mission.

Let’s be sure we keep America Beautiful and preserve its Best Idea for all to continue to marvel.

Our national parks are facing a challenge.