Our National Parks--Overcrowded, Underfunded, and Besieged with a Myriad of Vexing Problems: How Can We Best Fund Out Imperiled National Park System?

This Article sheds light on the precarious position our national park system currently occupies. It begins by briefly discussing the events leading up to the creation of the National Park Service and its statutory foundation. The author provides a detailed discussion of the financial problems currently facing the National Park System. The author explores thoroughly each problem, more people, more problems, more parks, and Park service mismanagement, and the effects dwindling budgets are having on the park system as a whole. Throughout his discussion, the author provides heartbreaking examples of the financial problems with such popular parks as Grand Canyon National Park, Acadia National Park, and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. In response to financial quandary currently facing the National Park System, the author provides common sense yet innovative suggests to not only ease the tension, but perhaps facilitate financial independence on a park by park basis. The author\u27s suggestions include: instituting or raising user fees; higher concessionaires\u27 fees; bonds; and funding from the private sector. In conclusion, the author briefly summarizes his arguments, but more importantly, stresses the need for urgency in addressing the financial problems facing the National Park System