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Congressman Salazar says additional $22 million would improve Mesa Verde National Park experience
Park funding would be in addition to $25 million from stimulus bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Standing at the majestic Mesa Verde National Park today, Congressman John Salazar announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of an appropriations bill containing $22 million in federal funding for a visitor center and curation center for the world-renowned national park. The funding was requested and supported by Congressman Salazar and was included in the 2009 Appropriations Bill for the Departments of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Congressman Salazar is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. The bill has passed the House and now heads to the Senate for consideration. That funding would come on top of $25 million the park has been allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for road construction, water line repair, ADA accessibility and renewable energy projects.
Mesa Verde was the first national park established to protect cultural resources including archeological sites, artifacts and the work of the people that lived here over 1,000 years ago. The park was created on June 29, 1906, to preserve from injury or spoliation the ruins and other works and relics of prehistoric humans contained within the established boundaries (Enabling Legislation: 34 Stat.616). In recognition of its value to the World, Mesa Verde was established as one of the 7 original World Heritage sites in 1978.
On the funding for Mesa Verde, Congressman Salazar offered the following statement:
“It is my honor to announce today that the Interior Appropriation bill which just passed the full House of Representatives on Friday contains the funding we need to complete the Mesa Verde National Park visitor center curation center,” said Congressman Salazar. “Specifically, the bill contains $11,675,000 for the construction of the curation center and $10,500,000 for the construction of the Visitor Center. Hopefully, the dream of a new visitor center will be realized and Mesa Verde will be even better prepared to welcome global visitors to this world class site. Mesa Verde National Park and the Mesa Verde Foundation have done a great job designing these facilities.”
Mesa Verde was the first national park established to protect cultural resources including archeological sites, artifacts and the work of the people that lived here over 1,000 years ago. The park was created on June 29, 1906, to preserve from injury or spoliation the ruins and other works and relics of prehistoric humans contained within the established boundaries (Enabling Legislation: 34 Stat.616). In recognition of its value to the World, Mesa Verde was established as one of the 7 original World Heritage sites in 1978.
On the funding for Mesa Verde, Congressman Salazar offered the following statement:
“It is my honor to announce today that the Interior Appropriation bill which just passed the full House of Representatives on Friday contains the funding we need to complete the Mesa Verde National Park visitor center curation center,” said Congressman Salazar. “Specifically, the bill contains $11,675,000 for the construction of the curation center and $10,500,000 for the construction of the Visitor Center. Hopefully, the dream of a new visitor center will be realized and Mesa Verde will be even better prepared to welcome global visitors to this world class site. Mesa Verde National Park and the Mesa Verde Foundation have done a great job designing these facilities.”