Blue Ridge Parkway
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FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose current principal business address for identification purposes is P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018. |
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Your Voice Has Made a Difference!
The hundreds of petitions you sent in support of increased funding to the Blue Ridge Parkway have had significant results. The Blue Ridge Parkway is in crisis, and Capitol Hill is responding. Legislators from the Parkway region – Senator Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and Senator Charles Taylor of North Carolina, Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee – are advocating for the Parkway in Congress.
The crisis
“Our national parks go to the heart of who we are as a nation,” says Senator Charles Taylor of North Carolina. “While we work to preserve and enhance those areas, it is important to realize that pressures on the national park system go well beyond development – every day our parks are faced with threats from invasive species, arboreal disease and catastrophic events.”
The pressures on national parks, and on the Blue Ridge Parkway, are increasingly apparent in the day-to-day.
“Over $3 million is needed to fill the current 58 vacant positions,” asserted FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Executive Director Susan Mills in an August presentation to Interior, Commerce, Agriculture and EPA representatives.
“The Blue Ridge Parkway must manage, with lack of funds,” Mills went on, “over 100 trails with over 350 miles of trail, 123 miles of rail fences, 151 bridges, 26 tunnels, 270 overlooks, 246 public use buildings, 13 visitor centers, 11 picnic areas, nine campgrounds…” and the list goes on.
“The loss of staff results in overgrown vistas, reduced mowing and general maintenance, fewer services at campgrounds, visitor services opening later and later each year,” Mills lists. “Increased signage, increased access to the Parkway, the trail system and safety are the four areas of greatest need for increased funding,” says Senator Bob Goodlatte.
Pete Larkin, district director for Goodlatte, met with the Parkway Partners Council in August and heard their concerns: possible closure of Parkway lanes, closed restrooms, the need for replacement vehicles, no money to hold easements.
Society is changing: young people are drawn to computers and television more than they are to the outdoors, and camping and outdoor activities are down.
The value
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is a major economic engine for the 29 counties it passes through,” Mills points out.
That economic engine generates more than $2 billion in visitor expenditures alone, from the business that 19 million people bring to the Parkway each year.
Nationwide, the impact of national parks is enormous, according to an August 2006 study recently published by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER): “Recreational visits to national parks are an economic engine for creating jobs and generating income for host communities,” the study states. “More than 272 million recreational visits to national parks during the 2005 fiscal year stimulated more than $10.3 billion in benefits to local economies and supported more than 236,000 jobs.”
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is that rare marriage of the man-made with the natural,” says Taylor, “a symbol of architectural and engineering achievement paired with unmatched environmental beauty.”
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is a national treasure and an important scenic attraction here in Roanoke County,” says Goodlatte. “…It is critical that we balance our desire to preserve this national park for future generations while also ensuring smart economic development that will help those future generations continuer to work and live in this beautiful area.”
The response
People are listening. Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and Senator Goodlatte have both addressed funding issues with Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis. The petitions delivered to legislators in June had an impact.
Goodlatte and Taylor, with the assistance of figures including Pat Hooks, National Park Service Regional Director for the Southeast, are advocating for increased funding to the park service, and recognizing the importance of nonprofits such as FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The federal budget was presented to Congress in February 2007, followed by the submission of the President’s budget.
“Rest assured that I will keep working to see that the Blue Ridge Parkway receives the funding it deserves,” says Goodlatte.
And there is good news from other fronts: the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, an organization of more than 600 businesses and travel groups, is making use of a federal grant of $438,000 to launch a promotional campaign to bring more visitors to the Parkway.
How can you help?
“I always encourage citizens to contact their member of Congress to express their opinions,” says Goodlatte. Pete Larkin echoed this during his meeting with the Partner Council – it’s the next step beyond petitions. “You need to reach out and tell those people visiting the Parkway. If you are concerned about the Parkway, write your congressman,” he encourages, as summarized by meeting minutes. “People’s stories make a difference and show an impact… legislators pay attention if a letter is personal.”
“Organizations such as FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway are excellent advocates for increasing funding to the national park system,” Goodlatte adds.
That means you. Write a letter, contribute, make your voice heard. We’re already seeing what it can do!
The following information provides easy links to your State's Senator and your District's Representatives. Just click on the link and send a message to Congress!
In support of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, I urge you to support increased funding for the Blue Ridge Parkway as part of the National Park Service fiscal year operating budget.
Petitions on Federal Funding Had Impact on Capitol Hill |
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