Conservation group worries about park funding cuts

Here's a story from Jim Mann of the Daily Inter Lake as he talks about how the potential US Government deficit could affect Glacier National Park and in turn the local economy of the communities around Flathead Lake.

The National Parks Conservation Association is sounding an alarm over the potential impacts on parks if the so-called congressional “supercommittee” fails to develop a plan for trimming $1.2 trillion from the federal budget over the next 10 years.

If the committee of 12 lawmakers fails to do so by a Nov. 23 deadline, a mechanism in the legislation that established the process in August would initiate $1.2 trillion in across-the-board federal spending cuts.

The association calculates that could result in 9 percent cuts to National Park Service budgets, or about $231 million.

“If the supercommittee process fails, there will be real consequences for our national parks, jobs, visitors, and communities across the country,” said Craig Obey, NPCA’s senior vice president of government affairs. “The federal deficit debate should be about smart budgeting that strengthens communities, produces jobs and protects the heritage that binds us as a national community.”

In a report released last week, the organization stresses the importance of national parks as economic engines that support and define surrounding communities.

Glacier National Park is the namesake for more than 150 businesses in the Flathead Valley and the park has an estimated economic impact of at least $2.5 billion, according to research conducted by state tourism officials about eight years ago.

“Glacier’s impact to our economy is enormous, there’s no doubt about that,” said Michael Jamison, Crown of the Continent program manager for the association. “And now we’re asking the community to return the favor by supporting the park that supports the economy. It’s a two-way street.”

You can read the full story on the Inter Lake's website here.