Dear Friend of the National Parks,

During these challenging months, we are grateful for NPCA's strong community of park advocates. Thanks to your support -- and how Americans value our parks -- the past few months saw significant progress. Although threats continue, as 2021 unfolds we remain unified in our mission to preserve parks for current and future generations.

Victory: Delaware River Fracking Ban!
In February, the Delaware River Basin Commission voted to ban fracking in the Delaware River Basin. This is a huge victory for the Delaware River and national parks in the basin, especially the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. However, the industry proposes to cycle water into and out of the basin to support fracking operations elsewhere. Please weigh in during a public comment period later this year.

New WWI Memorial Dedicated in April!
In April, a memorial commemorating the service and sacrifice of 4.7 million American men and women in WWI was dedicated in Washington, D.C. Edwin Fountain, former vice chair of the WWI Centennial Commission and member of NPCA’s Mid-Atlantic Leadership Council, led the campaign.

Infrastructure Projects Threaten National Parks
We are fighting two devastating transportation projects in the Maryland-D.C. region. Each would harm parks, watersheds and forests while doing little to relieve traffic congestion. The proposed expansion of I-495 and I-270 in Maryland would irreversibly harm more than 100 acres of parkland. A proposed "super conducting magnetic levitation train" (Maglev) between Baltimore and Washington D.C. could harm up to 141 acres of parkland, 51 acres of wetlands, and 436 acres of forests and would harm local communities. Take Action to fight the highway expansion and learn about the Maglev project.

New River Gorge – Now a National Park and Preserve!
In December 2020, the 116th Congress re-designated New River Gorge National River in West Virginia as New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, making the site the 63rd national park and 20th national preserve in the Park System. The legislation designated 65,165 acres as preserve and 7,021 acres as national park. Contact your members of Congress to urge them to increase funding for the National Park System so rangers can better protect and interpret our special places, including New River. Capitol Switchboard: 202.225.3121

Fight for Clean Air in the Mid-Atlantic
Millions of people visit U.S. national parks and wilderness areas each year, expecting to find clean, fresh air. However, despite progress, hazy air pollution continues to degrade scenic views and harm public health. To protect parks from air pollution, we need help from park advocates like you! Learn more about regional haze on our website.

To learn more about Mid-Atlantic parks, visit our webpage, attend an upcoming NPCA event or take action to protect parks!

Thank you for helping to preserve America's parks. May our parks inspire us, tell America's complex stories, and bring us closer together on our journey towards “a more perfect union.”

Sincerely,



 

Joy M. Oakes 
Senior Director, Mid-Atlantic Region

P.S. Have feedback on the new e-version of our field report? Email us at [email protected]. 

Photos, from top: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, WWI Memorial, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Shenandoah National Park © Nicolas Tonelli, Edwin Fountain | NPCA, Jon Bilous | Dreamstime, Steveheap | Dreamstime.com and Appalachianviews | Dreamstime.com