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Release date: August 23, 2007

Contact(s): Robin White, Superintendent

Phone Number: (513) 684-3262

Date: August 29, 2007

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GEARS UP FOR CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE PROJECTS

William Howard Taft National Historic Site will benefit from among the
national proposals National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced at a recent press
conference in Yosemite National Park to celebrate the 91^st^ anniversary
of the NPS.

"The National Park Service has, after a rigorous review, certified
proposals as eligible for centennial challenge matching funds," Bomar
said. "And they are ready to go in Fiscal Year 2008 which begins Oct.
1."

Among the \$370 million of proposals eligible for centennial challenge
matching funds are several cross cutting projects that affect multiple
parks including a national incentive to boost the Junior Ranger program
and to increase the research in the "All Taxa" inventories, an
ecosystem-wide look at specie existence. At the Taft site the proposed
\$23,000 budget increase includes the funding of two seasonal positions
to assist in educating park visitors about the significant impact the
Taft family has had on our country's history."

Director Bomar said, "The centennial challenge is a critical element in
the National Park Centennial Initiative put forward by President Bush
and unveiled by Secretary Kempthorne one year ago. The full centennial
initiative is a potential \$3 billion investment in our national parks,
two thirds of it a public-private partnership of matching money."

The President's fiscal year 2008 budget called for an additional \$100
million a year for 10 years to be dedicated to bolster basic park
operations, Bomar said. Congress has included the first \$100 million
for operations in the fiscal year 2008 budget that awaits final passage.

"The second part of the initiative is the centennial challenge -- a
funding mechanism to match up to \$100 million a year over 10 years of
public money with \$100 million a year for 10 years in private
donations," Bomar said. "Congress has yet to finish legislation
necessary to create the public-private centennial challenge."

Financial commitments to the first round of proposals exceeded the
President's challenge. "We have about \$370 million in proposals with
not \$100 million in private commitments but \$215 million committed
from park visitors, friends groups and other partners," Bomar said.

"I've testified before Senate and House subcommittees and judging by the
warm reception we received, I believe Congress will include centennial
challenge money in our next budget," Bomar said. "We look forward to
working with members from both sides of the aisle to provide the key to
the centennial challenge. When that happens we can make decisions on
which of these wonderful proposals to begin in the fall."

Locally, Superintendent Robin White said, "I have the full commitment of
the Director and our Friends group to work toward the goals of the
centennial -- stewardship, environmental leadership, recreational
experience, education, and professional excellence. We have a great
opportunity to reach toward these matching funds for Cincinnati, Ohio in
09."

"Our park has a Centennial vision and a strategy to implement that
vision," said Superintendent White, "Within the past year we have
diligently enhanced existing relationships between William Howard Taft
National Historic Site and the community. We are currently developing
sustainable partnerships to implement relevant community driven programs
with long standing civic engagement entities such as The Crossroads
Behavioral Health Center, 21^st^ Century CCLC Project Smart & Harmony
Community School, and the University of Cincinnati Summer Enrichment
Program. As a change agent we are looking forward to being a part of
change for the greater good of all."

To be certified, proposals had to address at least one of the five
over-arching centennial goals. They also had to be imaginative and
innovative, addressed critical Service needs, had a philanthropic
partner, required little or no additional recurring operating funds to
be sustainable, improved the efficiency of park management, operations
and employees and produced measurable results

"There is a huge wave of excitement among National Park Service
professionals and our partners," Bomar said. "We will create park-based
centers for Junior Rangers, implement cutting-edge energy projects like
fuel cells and geothermal and build multimedia wayside exhibits that
"talk" to visitors. This is a victory for national parks and over 270
million park visitors we see each year."

"Last week, I sent an email to the men and women of the National Park
Service to inform them of our announcement. One of the replies I
received says it best: 'This is thrilling! A win/win opportunity like
we\'ve never seen before. Thanks for the energy and vision for the NPS.'

"That thanks is for the many who worked to transform vision into action:
Secretary Kempthorne and our friends in Congress, from both sides of the
aisle who introduced legislation to support the Centennial. But most of
all, our thanks go to park superintendents, friends groups, partners and
an army of supporters."

The full list of centennial challenge-eligible proposals is available
on-line at [www.nps.gov/2016](http://www.nps.gov/2016)

-NPS-