Title
Resolution No.18-06, Supporting the National Park System and Encouraging Congress to Address Maintenance Needs
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff recommends that the City Commission approve Resolution No. 18-06, supporting the National Park System.
BACKGROUND:
As you know, Oregon’s national parks and monuments--from the McLoughlin House, to Crater Lake, to Oregon Caves, to John Day Fossil Beds, to Lewis and Clark--are a significant draw for visitors. These natural and historic treasures generate significant economic activity for businesses and communities in close proximity to these sites, and throughout the state.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), National Monuments and Parks are responsible for over $97 million in visitor spending in gateway communities; that spending, in turn, supports over 1,600 local jobs.
Resources are required to keep these parks open and safe for visitors, but they are struggling to keep up with maintenance needs due to aging infrastructure, increased wear and tear from increased visitation, and inconsistent federal funding. NPS is facing an infrastructure maintenance crisis with over $11 billion in deferred maintenance costs. Oregon NPS assets alone are dealing with a $105 million deferred maintenance backlog.
For the longevity of the parks and the communities they benefit, this is an issue that must be addressed. Congress should prioritize the creation of a reliable, predictable stream of resources to address deferred maintenance needs in America’s National Park System.
The City Commission of Oregon City has identified deferred park maintenance as an important goal in it's 2017 - 2019 Goals and Priorities. The Commission continues to increase funding to address deferred maintenance for the City parks and recreational facilities, along with developing future revenue options for a long-term plan. Now the Commission is asked to support this on a national level.