National Park Service Study Act of 2012

Congressman Kildee Introduces the National Park Service Study Act of 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee and Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, introduced legislation to authorize studies of several natural and culturally significant sites that merit consideration as units of the National Park System. H.R. 6175, the National Park Service Study Act of 2012 does not authorize the creation of any new parks, it simply provides Congress with information necessary to make determinations about how best to protect and preserve areas around the country which are significant to the national heritage of the United States.

Congressman Kildee was joined by 15 original cosponsors, including Representatives Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), Laura Richardson (D-CA), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), David Scott (D-GA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Ron Kind (D-WI), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

"The National Park System is a uniquely American invention–one that is at the very core of our democracy–the idea that lands should be held in perpetuity not for the benefit of only some, but for the enjoyment of all people. During my 36 years in Congress I have worked tirelessly to enhance and defend the natural resources of this country. Protecting special places for future generations is something that all lawmakers should be able to agree on and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation," said Congressman Kildee.

Congressman Kildee’s bill, H.R. 6175, will study numerous areas around the country, notably including Japanese American Relocation Camps during WWII, Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks, and the Kau Coast adjacent to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The bill will now be referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, of which Congressman Kildee is a senior member.

In 2011, there were 281 million recreational visits to the National Parks System supporting 258,400 private sector jobs and contributing $31 billion in economic activity nationally. The possible addition of these study areas would provide new recreational and educational experiences for the millions of annual visitors to the National Park System, contribute to a boost in tourism and benefit local communities and their economies.

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