National Parks

[Java Jack]

Whether your are a republican or democrat, it should not matter. We all love camping as that is why we built or bought our rigs.

I am not trying to start a big political discussion, only trying to help protect our park system so we continue to have nice places to camp. I would encourage you to do some research yourself and ask yourself the critical questions about who is doing what and why.

I don't care for the meme photo on this page but the page does provide easy contact to your local representative.

For the record, I am an independent. I don't follow any political party and judge each issue on its own merits.

https://secure3.convio.net/lcv/site/Adv ... login=true

Regards,
Jay

[Shadow Catcher]

Jay
I have been following this, our national parks are one of this countries jewels and you have only to talk with visitors from other countries to realize just how much. I have no real understanding of why the Koach's are pushing this other than the fact they want to be able to pollute freely (they do a lot of that). I have already signed.

[Esteban]

Jay, I would very gladly sign the League of Conservation voters petition to protect our National Parks from the Koch Brothers exploitation, EXCEPT, there is no way to opt out from their future emails. Too bad. The multi-billionaire Koch Brothers are major funders of one political party. They own major stakes in Canadian tar sands mines among many, many other things. I try my best not to buy any of their products.

[KennethW]

Unless I read that thing wrong it has nothing to do with parks. It is more a ban on all leases on government lands and land that the government controls.

[tony.latham]

Unless I read that thing wrong it has nothing to do with parks. It is more a ban on all leases on government lands and land that the government controls.

It takes a percentage of the revenues from offshore oil and gas leases and puts the money into conservation projects. It's been around for fifty years and has funded numerous great projects such as land purchases for the Appalachian Trail.

"It was a simple idea: use revenues from the depletion of one natural resource - offshore oil and gas - to support the conservation of another precious resource - our land and water. Every year, $900 million in royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are put into this fund. The money is intended to create and protect national parks, areas around rivers and lakes, national forests, and national wildlife refuges from development, and to provide matching grants for state and local parks and recreation projects."

That $900 million figure is misleading though. Last year congress appropriated less than 100 million of those royalties for this fund, this year it's 308 million.

In July, our newest wilderness area, the Boulder-Whiteclouds was created by congress. It needs funding and I'm sure they'll find some source, but if this bill dies it'll come from the general tax base instead of oil and gas royalties.

Tony