COURIER the National Park Service Newsletter Vol
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COURIER The National Park Service Newsletter Vol. 3, No. 7 Washington, D.C. June 1980 Governors speak out on the parks By Candace Garry Governor Bruce Babbitt of Arizona, However, the relationship between State Public Information Specialist, WASO like other State chief executives spends a and Federal officials concerning land lot of time in national parks. His zest for acquisition and Government regulations (Editor's Note: This article includes excerpts the Park Service and about resource has been delicate in some areas. from brief interviews conducted by Candace management and conservation began Nevertheless, State officials and the Park Garry with Governors from nine states, during with his love for the Grand Canyon in Service generally have worked in the 1980 Winter meeting of the National Arizona. He teases, "Why, the Grand harmony. Governors' Association in Washington, D.C. Canyon is the head of the American flag Ed Herschler is Garry, a Public Information Specialist in the where I come from!" Such pride in their Governor of Wyo Washington Office, talked to Governors individual State's natural, cultural, and ming, a State Lamm of Colorado, Babbitt of Arizona, Herschler of Wyoming, Matheson of Utah, historical areas preserved for public that boasts two of the King of New Mexico, King of Massachusetts, enjoyment by the National Park Service is largest and most Hughes of Maryland, Thornburgh of common among State officials. well-known areas Pennsylvania, and Graham of Florida about Governor Babbitt's pride runs in the entire Park their experiences with the National Park especially deep, as does his knowledge System, Grand Service.) and understanding of the Grand Canyon. Teton and Yellow In addition to his law degree, the stone National Parks. Governor has a Bachelor's in geology and Governor Herschler says he is "very "The National Park Service has a a Master's in geophysics. He did his Herschler. Masters thesis on the geology of the proud of Park Serv real esprit de corps, a sense of Grand Canyon. He also has written two ice personnel in Wyoming and the way mission, a sense of purpose . that books about the Canyon; one is called they run things at all six NPS areas in the you hardly ever find in Government "The Grand Canyon: an Anthology" and State." He cites a good working agencies. They're dedicated people, the other "Color and Light." Babbitt says relationship with Park Service personnel and says the State has received "excellent they're career people . their his experiences with the Park Service have been very positive ones, and he cooperation from the entire agency." commitment to public service is characterizes the agency as "solid, really something!" aggressive, and responsive." Just as our country's States are diverse, —Bruce Babbitt Park Service areas that lie within their Governor of Arizona. boundaries often differ vastly from State to State, reflecting rich geographic, In neighboring Colorado, another cultural, and historical variances. A Governor deems his administration's sampling of comments by Governors relationship with the Park Service a from States with many NPS areas shows, positive, fruitful for the most part, a positive attitude one. "I personally, toward NPS and an awareness of the in the State of social and economic impacts Park Service Colorado, generally, areas have on their States. have a very good Also, like millions of Americans each working relation year, these Governors and their families ship with the use and enjoy national parks both close various superin to home and in other States. Their tendents and other experiences and opinions are reflected in NPS officials in the their comments about the parks. State," says Colo rado Governor Working relationships Lamm. Richard Lamm. He adds that the State's tourist industry between Federal and people have "very good communication and synchronization" with the Park State officials Service. "It's an important part of our tourist industry, whether it's Rocky The Governors interviewed generally Mountain or Mesa Verde . The feel that NPS is responsive to local needs officials have been very responsive . -c and sensitive to the cultural, historical, and just generally good people to work to and natural resources of their States. with." cooperative, and constructive in its appear to be very active in local efforts to relationships with the State of Florida," generate goodwill and constructive "I have appreciated the Park claims Governor Robert Graham. He programs at the park," says Governor Service's willingness to assist the maintains that individual relationships Thornburgh of Pennsylvania. State of New Mexico in providing have been cordial and joint projects have Thornburgh, a lifelong resident of the quality recreational facilities for its been mutually beneficial. "Secretary of State, has a deep appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of citizens and for all Americans." the Interior Cecil Andrus has been a good friend to the people of Florida in Pennsylvania. He contends that NPS does helping to establish the Big Cypress an "outstanding job of working to —Bruce King National Preserve and Canaveral preserve Pennsylvania and the Nation's Governor of New Mexico. National Seashore, expand the Biscayne heritage." The Governor adds, "I have National Monument, and improve been impressed with my exposure to NPS management of the Everglades National interpretive and environmental education programs. these, and the Governor Bruce King of New Mexico Park and Gulf Islands National Seashore," many outreach, off-site programs contends that his State's experiences the Governor adds. As a State Senator, available through the Park Service have with the Park Service have been Graham sponsored meant a great deal to the people of our "exceptional." He explains, "I have had the legislation that State." the opportunity to work with the Park helped create Big Service on numerous administrative Cypress National Massachusetts Governor Ed King issues and have Preserve and shares many of Thornburgh's sentiments. appreciated their contributed $40 "Everything that we've seen from our willingness to million in State visits to NPS areas in Massachusetts assist the State funds for land demonstrates to us that they run a good of New Mexico acquisition in the operation . and the favorable in providing Big Cypress. comments that we get—phone calls and quality recrea Governor Graham letters—are absolutely void of any complaints. We're grateful to the Park tional facilities says he has been Service for this," he adds, "and for the for its citizens "very pleased" Graham. very precious properties they administer and for all with the Park in Massachusetts." Americans." Service's land acquisition program for the area. Florida Governor Graham maintains King. Governor King likes to boast that that management of NPS areas in his Carlsbad Caverns, near the Texas border, In the Northeastern states, Pennsyl State is "marked by a high degree of is "one of the State's leading tourist vania Governor Dick professionalism." He says he is most attractions and one of the great wonders Thornburgh says familiar with the operations of Everglades of the world." And, he adds that NPS most of his ex and Biscayne because they are near his family home in Dade County. administers it and the other 10 NPS areas periences with in New Mexico "very satisfactorily." The NPS have been Governor owns a huge ranch in Stanley, good ones, and near Grand Quivira and Pecos National Massachusetts Tourism and economic Monuments. Governor Edward King impacts of NPS presence One Governor says his experiences cites an active State officials are quick to recognize with NPS have been both good and bad. State role in the economic benefits of national parks Governor Scott Matheson of Utah their urban Thornburgh. in their States, and many agree that the expresses some concerns with the park system. parks contribute significantly to their inaccessability of many of the NPS areas "We're very active in our urban park tourism industry. in his State, due largely to their system and we work closely with officials "Tourism is Arizona's second largest geographic dispersion and distance from from Boston National Historical Park," industry," declares Governor Babbitt. "It major cities. But overall he says he is reports King. runs just a little bit behind pleased with the relationship he has had manufacturing, and it's responsible for with the Park Service and adds that he is many billions of dollars of revenue, a "impressed with the personnel at all of huge proportion of our State's economy. the 11 NPS areas in Utah." NPS management Both the summer and winter seasons are and personnel linked to the tourist economy and the National Park Service is obviously an "The National Park Service has All nine governors interviewed were generally pleased with NPS personnel at important piece of that action." been positive, cooperative and national parks in their States. Resource Governor Lamm of Colorado agrees, constructive in its relationships with management in urban areas often "The impact of tourism on our State's the State of Florida." provides special challenges, and the economy is very, very substantial. For an Governors of two States with NPS areas in awful lot of people, among the many large metropolitan centers gave a vote of reasons they come to Colorado—but —Robert Graham confidence to Park Service personnel. probably as important as any of them—is Governor of Florida. "Last summer I was involved in a the presence of the 11 national parks in dedication ceremony at Independence our State." Moving on to the South, Florida's in Philadelphia and was very impressed Tourism is also a leading industry in Governor seems quite satisfied with the with the level of professionalism of New Mexico. Governor King feels these Park Service.