FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Religious leaders express concern Over changes in National Park policies
Washington, February 16, 2006 -- Religious leaders from six faith groups, including the National Council of Churches USA, have written to the National Park Service (NPS) expressing concern over proposed changes to park management polices that they believe would dilute the conservation mission of NPS and "open the door for increased air pollution, haze, noise, and damage from off-road vehicles in the parks."
According to the letter, the groups are particularly concerned about the removal of language from the management policies that clearly prioritizes conservation, resource protection, and preservation as the "predominant and overarching mission of the park system."
Signed by the Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office, United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in addition to the NCC, the letter is being sent to members of the House and Senate Sub-committees on National Parks as well as to NPS Director Fran Mainella.
The letter also raises concerns about language regarding "clear skies" and "natural soundscapes" being referred to as "associated characteristics" rather than as "essential resources on par with soil, water, and geologic features." Additionally, the faith groups oppose deleting specific references to limiting the use of "motorized and off-road vehicles" in the proposed changes.
The House Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight hearing on the draft policy changes Wednesday and the public comment period is open until Saturday, Feb. 18.
Other groups and members of Congress have also expressed similar concerns about the proposed changes including Senators Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) as well as the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, the Association of National Park Rangers, and the National Parks Conservation Association.
"These changes are unnecessary and they could undermine the mission of the National Park Service to preserve and protect our national parks, which are an integral part of God?s creation," said Cassandra Carmichael, NCC's director of eco-justice programs. "We urge the National Park Service to reconsider these potentially harmful changes."
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The text of the letter is below. For more information, contact Christine Hoekenga at (202) 481-6932 or Leslie Tune at (202) 481-6927.
CONTACT: Leslie Tune, NCC 202/481-6927
Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office . Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns . National Council of Churches Washington Office . Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office . United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries . The United Methodist Church ? General Board of Church and Society
February 14, 2006
Mr. Bernard Fagan National Park Service Office of Policy, Room 7252 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240
Dear Mr. Fagan:
As leaders and members of the U.S. faith community, we view caring for God's creation and protecting the natural blessings bestowed upon us by the Creator as important moral and religious responsibilities. As the book of Leviticus tells us, we are "tenants" on the land (25:23-24) and caretakers of the wildlife and ecosystems it sustains. We do injustice to our neighbors, future generations, and the rest of God's creation when we do not take this responsibility seriously and allow damage to the land, water, air, and web of life.
In many ways, our system of National Parks stands as a model for just, thoughtful interaction with creation. The parks embody ideals important to our faith traditions, including equitable sharing of the blessings of the earth, consideration of the common good over greed and exploitation, and prudent conservation of both the material resources and the intangible qualities that make these wild lands extraordinary.
We are writing to express our concern over the proposed changes to the park Management Policies, which we believe would dilute the clear conservation mission of the National Park Service and open the door for increased air pollution, haze, noise, and damage from off-road vehicles and livestock in the parks. We are particularly concerned by the removal of important guiding language from section 1.4.3 that clearly prioritizes "conservation," "resource protection," and "preservation" as the predominant and overarching mission of the park system. Removing this language and putting other concerns, such as visitor enjoyment and access, on par with conservation undermines the stewardship ethic of the parks. We urge you to leave this language in place and to maintain the clear overriding purpose of the National Park System: to preserve these inspiring natural wonders.
We are also concerned by proposed changes to language at the beginning of section four that would demote "clear skies" and "natural soundscapes" to the category of "associated characteristics" instead of essential resources on par with soil, water, and geologic features. Changes to language regarding motorized and off-road vehicles use are also troubling. In sections 8.2.3 and 8.2.3.1, for example, we see no justification for deleting guidelines stating that "the least impacting equipment, vehicles, and transportation systems should be used" and that "routes and areas [for off-road vehicles] may be designated only in locations in which there will be no adverse impacts on the area's natural, cultural, scenic and esthetic values." We believe these guidelines are prudent and sensible and urge you to maintain this conservation-oriented language.
We are thankful that the National Park System exists to preserve the natural blessings of creation, which reflect God's "eternal power and divine nature" (Romans 1:20). We hope and pray that the National Park Service will rethink these modifications and any proposed changes that would weaken the spirit of stewardship and conservation in the National Parks.
Signed by,
Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office
Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns
National Council of Churches Washington Office
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office
United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries
The United Methodist Church ? General Board of Church and Society
Comments or questions in response to this letter should be addressed to: Christine Hoekenga, The National Council of Churches, 110 Maryland Avenue NE, Suite 108, Washington, DC 20002. 202.544.2350. choekenga@ncccusa.org