The White House
President George W. Bush
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 7, 2007

Fact Sheet: The National Parks Centennial Initiative

      President and Mrs. Bush Participate in Roundtable on the National Parks Centennial Initiative
      President Bush Discusses the National Parks Centennial Initiative
      In Focus: Environment

Today, President And Mrs. Bush Visited Shenandoah National Park To Highlight The National Parks Centennial Initiative.  Shenandoah National Park is a strong model for illustrating how the President's FY 2008 budget and the Centennial Initiative will benefit the National Park System.  Overall, the President's FY 2008 Parks budget, totaling nearly $2.4 billion, is the largest ever for park operations, and includes the highest increase ever in parks operations funding.  For the Shenandoah National Park, this means an increase of nearly $2 million (17 percent) over 2006 levels for park operations, including the hiring of additional seasonal employees, plus more than $2 million in construction to rehabilitate scenic overlooks in the Shenandoah National Park. 

The National Parks Centennial Initiative

President Bush Proposed The National Parks Centennial Initiative To Put America's National Parks On Track For Another Century Of Conservation, Preservation, And Enjoyment.  It provides for the potential of up to $3 billion in new funds over the next 10 years:

The President's FY 2008 Parks Budget

The President's FY 2008 Parks Budget, Totaling Nearly $2.4 Billion, Is The Largest Ever For Park Operations And Includes The Highest Increase Ever In Parks Operations Funding.  This will allow for improvement and expansion of operations throughout the National Park System.

This Record Funding Increase, Together With The President's Centennial Challenge And Centennial Match, Would Lead To An Additional $450 Million Over 2006 Levels In Operating Funds And Signature Projects And Programs For 2008. 

The National Park System

The National Park System Is Administered By The National Park Service, A Bureau Of The Department Of The Interior.  The National Park System was started with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park on March 1, 1872, and includes areas of historical as well as scenic and scientific importance throughout the United States.  The System now comprises 390 areas covering more than 84 million acres in 49 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands.

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