Trail improvements part of Interior Department funding bill
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today voted to improve the well-used trails at one of Southern Arizona’s premier recreation destinations, Saguaro National Park.
“Saguaro National Park is a treasured place for Tucsonans and visitors to hike, bike and savor the Sonoran Desert. It is where some of the most impressive forests of saguaros are preserved on the edge of a rapidly growing city,” said Giffords. “Spending money to improve the trails is a sound investment in the future of this very special place.”
The funding – $398,000 to build or improve 136 miles of trails in the Rincon Unit of Saguaro National Park – is part of legislation to continue funding for the Department of Interior.
“This is good news,” said Erik Bakken, president of the Friends of Saguaro National Park, a non-profit organization that supported the funding request.
Bakken added that many of the park trails need renovation because they are quite old, originally established by settlers passing through the area in the 19th century – well before the park was established in 1933.
The bill includes money to build 12 miles of new trails and improve about 124 miles of existing trails in the eastern unit of the park. Four miles of existing trails will be removed and native habitat will be restored.
Giffords said the work will help the National Park Service implement its new Comprehensive Trails Plan for Saguaro National Park as well as create local jobs.
The funding was included in a bill that funds the Department of the Interior through Dec. 18. It passed the House on a 247-to-178 vote.
The bill makes improving our national parks a key priority. It provides $2.7 billion for national parks – $218 million, or 9 percent, more than in 2009. The funding continues a 10-year initiative to upgrade America’s national parks before the Centennial of the National Park Service in 2016.
The bill also ensures delivery of safe water by providing a large increase for clean water funding, which was severely underfunded during the Bush Administration.
There also is $385 million for climate change research – $155 million above the 2009 level.