My overall impression of this meeting was positive, but I felt somewhat concerned that there was no real opportunity to get into details. Certainly Secretary Bomar and Secretary Kempthorne, and all others in attendance at this meeting, got the message loud and clear: that there are many Americans who value our parks highly and that we want these special places kept unimpaired for future generations to come.
It was only today that I read the official NPS brochure distributed from last night on the National Park Centennial Initiative having to do with “Signature projects and programs.” In this brochure it is firmly stated that such projects will:
- rely on leveraging of philanthropic, partnership, and government investments for the benefit of the parks and the park visitor
- provide for a margin of excellence,
- capture the imagination of the public,
- secure at least a 1:1 philanthropic match,
- use current staffing, unless additional staff is provided through endowed positions or partners
- be sustainable in design, material, and location
Among the items stated above, I am most concerned about item (5.) above. This written statement appears to be in conflict with the answers given to Warren Bielenberg by Secretary Kempthorne. It also reminds me of the situation currently faced by major urban symphony orchestras whose principal chairs are filled through endowments from private donations.
I hope you my write-up of impressions of this first “listening session” to be of interest.
Owen
Note: We would like to thank Owen, a board member of the Crater Lake Institute, for taking the time and effort to attend this meeting and for making a contribution to the proceedings.
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