Proposed Cuts to National Park Service Funding Raise Concerns

Proposals emerging from the House Ways and Means Committee could significantly impact the National Park Service (NPS) and its efforts to address climate change and protect public lands. Among the proposed measures are plans to “sell federal lands” and rescind $132 million authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding was intended to improve conservation, protection, and resiliency across NPS-managed lands.

Additional cuts include $50 million from Endangered Species Act recovery efforts, $40 million from the U.S. Forest Service for addressing severe weather impacts, and $200 million allocated to deferred maintenance at the Presidio Trust in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Of particular concern is the White House Order to revoke the 10-mile buffer around Chaco Culture National Historical Park World Heritage Site, which prohibited oil and gas leasing of these lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and would directly impact several of the Chacoan “outliers” – archeological sites – on those lands which are also part of the World Heritage Site. . These proposals echo past efforts, such as transferring control of federal lands to state governments, raising alarm among conservationists and public land advocates.

World Heritage USA is closely monitoring these developments and their potential implications for UNESCO World Heritage Sites and protected lands across the U.S. We will continue to advocate for the conservation and protection of our national treasures. Stay tuned for updates.