Resolution 17-020 Encourage Congress to Address Deferred Maintenance Needs in America’s National Park System

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Mayor

RESOLUTION 17-020

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, ENCOURAGING CONGRESS TO CREATE A RELIABLE, PREDICTABLE STREAM OF RESOURCES TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE NEEDS IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.

            WHEREAS, America’s National Park System is a living testament to our citizens’ valor, our nation’s hardships, our victories, and our traditions as Americans, and has been called “America’s Best Idea;” and

WHEREAS, The National Park System preserves the diversity, culture, and heritage of all Americans, and serves as a living classroom for future generations; and

WHEREAS, In 2016 the National Park Service celebrated its centennial; the National Park Service currently manages more than 400 nationally significant sites and an invaluable collection of more than 75,000 natural and cultural assets that span 84 million acres across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories and insular areas; and

WHEREAS, Alaska is home to 24 national park units, including Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Katmai National Park and Preserve; and

WHEREAS, Homer is an anchor community to Katmai National Park and Preserve, and benefits greatly from the tourism associated with visitors to the park; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service’s mission is “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations;” and

WHEREAS, In 2015 the National Park System had more than 307 million visits, with 2.6 million in national parks in Alaska, and almost 40,000 visitors to Katmai National Park and Preserve; and

WHEREAS, In 2015 National Park Service estimates indicate that park visitors spent almost $1.2 billion in the local communities adjacent to national parks in Alaska, including over $58 million in the communities neighboring Katmai National Park and Preserve; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service has the obligation to preserve our nation’s history; promote access to national parks for all citizens; stimulate revenue to sustain itself and nearby communities; educate the public about America’s natural, cultural and historical resources, and provide safe facilities and environs to enjoy these resources; and

WHEREAS, In 2016 the National Park Service estimated a deferred maintenance backlog of nearly $12 billion, over $117 million in Alaska, and $13.8 million at Katmai National Park and Preserve, which includes repairs to aging historical structures, trails, sewers, thousands of miles of roads, bridges, tunnels, and other vital infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of Congress to maintain America’s national parks to ensure our natural places and our history is preserved and documented for future generations, and for the adjacent communities that rely on the direct and indirect economic benefits generated by visits to national park sites.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska, urges Congress to create a reliable, predictable stream of resources to address deferred maintenance needs in America’s National Park System.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Alaska congressional delegation.

             PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 13th day of March, 2017.

                                                                                                         CITY OF HOMER
 

________________________
BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A