WASHINGTON, D.C.-- U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee today commended the National Park Trust on the release of its report, "Saving the Legacy of the National System of Parks" and for its outstanding effort in acquiring and donating to national parks private lands that remain within park boundaries. These lands, called "inholdings," pose a potential threat to national parks through development or other uses that would degrade the parks' scenic and natural resource values.

The National Park Trust properly calls attention to the inholdings issue. As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee I have made the federal purchase of inholdings within our national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges and other natural resource areas a top priority. Buying these lands at fair prices from willing sellers is the best way to preserve and protect America's crown jewels for future generations," Regula stated.

"Before spending our limited federal dollars to buy up large land areas unrelated to the current park system, we should focus on completing our existing national parks by acquiring inholdings. The outstanding contributions of the National Park Trust and similar organizations to achieving this goad area especially noteworthy," Regula stated.

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Related Links:

NPT's Legacy Report - Main