2004

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

2

Access to Park Information

The NPS website, with over 300 million hits per year, is second only to the Internal Revenue Service 

for traffi c to an individual agency website. The Wall Street Journal rated www.nps.gov the #1 site for 

travel information for history buffs.

The World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., is the latest addition to the National Park Service. It honors the sacrifi ces that WWII 

veterans and their families made to oppose tyranny. 

Cover photo: The historic Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park (MT) is being 

renovated and repaired with $6 million of National Park Service funds.

Visit us online at 

www.doi.gov

www.nps.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1

“My Administration’s National Parks Legacy Project was initiated to ensure proper 

care of our National Park System. Through thoughtful and diligent efforts, the 

National Parks Legacy Project will enhance the National Parks’ ecosystems, improve 

outdoor opportunities, address infrastructure needs, and establish accountability 

through performance goals.”

President George W. Bush

National Park Week Proclamation

April 22, 2002

AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

Investing To Preserve Their Future

Working alongside volunteers, President George W. Bush works to fi ll ruts along the Old Boney 

Trail at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Thousand Oaks, CA
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

2

Executive Summary

• Record high levels of funds are being invested to increase staff and improve our national parks. 

President Bush’s FY2005 NPS operations budget has more funds per employee, per acre, and per visitor 

than any time in the history of the National Park Service.

• The FY2005 NPS operations budget of $1.8 billion is 20 percent higher than when President Bush took 

office. National parks receive significantly more funding increases than other non-defense government 

agencies. National park operating funds have increased 352 percent since 1980 compared to overall 

domestic increases of 138 percent. 

• President Bush set and funded three priorities for the national parks:

Improve Repair and Maintenance: President Bush is meeting his commitment to invest $4.9 billion 

to address maintenance needs. The National Park Service has more than 4,000 improvement projects

completed, planned, or underway in the national parks in each of the 49 states with national parks. This 

report includes a state-by-state summary of the number of projects and the estimated dollar value of 

those projects, along with examples of projects now underway. 

Preserve Natural Resources: The National Park Service has nearly tripled funding to preserve and

study the magnificent natural resources within national parks. These investments both remove 

invasive plants that damage our ecosystems and help protect endangered and threatened species like 

cutthroat trout and sea turtles. 

Protect Visitors and Employees: To increase visitor and employee safety, the Administration has 

increased NPS law enforcement budgets by 23.5 percent since this Administration came to office. 

• The NPS employment level in 2005 will be 20,637, an increase of 829 over NPS employment in 2000. 

• While this Administration has emphasized the importance of taking better care of our existing parks, it 

has also approved new parks and park additions that preserve a Civil War site in Virginia, honor World

War II veterans, pay tribute to the memory of the heroes aboard Flight 93, designate hundreds of 

thousands of park acres as wilderness, and propose a new Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

3

America’s national parks – the wildlife of Yellowstone, 

the granite peaks of Yosemite, the grandeur of Grand 

Canyon, the history of Gettysburg – are America’s greatest 

natural and cultural gifts. This summer, the National Park 

Service is welcoming more than a million visitors a day 

to our national parks. Visitors love time spent in national 

parks and the overwhelming majority of visitors say their 

experiences at national parks are good to excellent.

This high level of satisfaction follows record funding 

for and investment in national parks under President 

Bush’s leadership. At $1.8 billion, the National Park 

Service operations budget this year has more funds per 

employee, per acre, and per visitor than at any time in its 

history. This is an increase of 20 percent since FY2001. 

In addition to park operation funds, the FY 2005 budget 

request includes $330 million for park construction 

projects and $115 million for national recreation and 

historic preservation programs. Some of these funds have 

paid for increases in the number of National Park Service 

employees. The NPS employment level in 2005 will be 

20,637, an increase of 829 over NPS employment in 2000 

and the highest NPS employment level ever. Overall, 

the President’s budget request for park operations and 

construction for 2005 is 20 percent higher than 2001.

INTRODUCTION

The national parks are a priority of this Administration. 

Funds for the national parks have exceeded the funds 

provided to most other non-defense government 

agencies; national park operating funds have increased 

352 percent since 1980 compared to overall domestic 

increases of 138 percent. 

The National Park Service is on track to fulfill President 

Bush’s commitment to our national parks. The Bush 

Administration has set and funded three priorities for the 

national parks. These priorities are discussed in detail 

below: 

• Preserve facilities through increased maintenance;

• Preserve magnificent natural resources within 

national parks; and

• Protect and enhance visitor and employee safety.

In addition, this commitment includes efforts to 

restore the Florida Everglades, protect parks from 

catastrophic fire, increase park trails, protect rivers, 

restore thousands of acres of disturbed parklands to 

their natural conditions, and improve the status of 

endangered species in national parks. 
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

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President Bush is meeting his commitment to invest 

$4.9 billion to address maintenance needs. The 

dedicated employees of the National Park Service 

have undertaken more than 4,000 infrastructure and 

facility improvements. Visitors will see improved 

trails, more accessible campgrounds, rehabilitated 

visitor centers, better roads, stabilized historic 

structures, and reduced environmental threats 

through better sewer, water, and drinking systems.

Amounts spent on maintenance include significant 

increases in three key areas:

• Repair/rehabilitation funding: These funds have 

increased $52 million, or 94 percent. The 

four-year total for repair and rehabilitation is 

$359 million.

• Cyclic Maintenance: To preserve what has been 

repaired and to reduce future maintenance 

backlogs, routine, recurring maintenance has 

increased $41 million, or nearly tripled. Over 

four years, President Bush has proposed $194 

million.

• Park Roads: The President’s commitment to 

address the maintenance backlog in parks includes 

improving park roads. All federal highway projects 

are funded through the Transportation Equity Act, 

which is addressed by Congress every six years. 

Spending cannot increase until new legislation is 

passed. Until then, highway spending, including 

park road repairs, remains at the level of the prior 

legislation passed in 1998. 

For this reason, the park road budget has remained 

fixed at $165 million per year. The President has

proposed new legislation for FY2004 and future 

years that will nearly double funding for parks 

transportation, reaching $320 million. Over the 

time span of the new highway bill, funding should 

total nearly $1.9 billion. In addition, the 

Departments of the Interior and Transportation 

are working closely together and have already signed 

a Memorandum of Agreement establishing a plan to 

identify less costly approaches to road repair.

PRESERVING FACILITIES THROUGH INCREASED MAINTENANCE

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Rec. Fees for Maint.

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Facility Maintenance

($ in millions)
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

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This investment is essential. National parks have 

experienced longstanding neglect in maintenance of 

buildings, facilities, and roads. Our parks and the 

millions of Americans who visit them deserve better. 

Some examples of the work underway include:

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Arizona/

Nevada) received $3.5 million to bring the park’s 

wastewater treatment into compliance with Arizona 

State environmental regulations. 

• Manassas National Battlefi eld Park (Virginia) is 

using $1,493,000 to stabilize and maintain 

signifi cant historic structures in the park, including

major repairs to the building foundations and 

structures.

• Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) is using 

$757,000 to upgrade fi re protection in the Old 

Faithful area, which contains 250 buildings, 

including the Old Faithful Inn. Many of these 

buildings are of log or wood-frame construction.

Maintenance Backlog Project

In FY 2002, $245,702 was spent to

replace and construct new boardwalks park-wide at

Cape Cod National Seashore (Massachusetts).

One key reform of the National Park Service’s 

maintenance effort is implementing a state-of-the-art 

system for inventorying the condition of its more than 

30,000 buildings and facilities. For the fi rst time, the 

National Park Service knows what facilities it has and 

their condition. This tool will help better manage 

facilities and set maintenance budget priorities. 
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

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To help park managers protect natural resources, 

the Park Service has greatly expanded the Natural 

Resource Challenge program. The Natural Resource 

Challenge improves natural resource management 

by strengthening the scientifi c base of knowledge 

about plants, animals, ecosystems, and their 

interrelationships. 

The Natural Resource Challenge seeks to restore 

natural ecosystems and wildlife and to study park 

natural resources. One way the Park Service 

accomplishes these goals is by preventing exotic 

plants and animals from crowding out native species.

President Bush has proposed cumulative increases 

totaling $149.5 million since FY2001. The FY2005 

budget request would allow the National Park 

Service to spend nearly three times more than it did 

on this program in FY2001. 

Through the Park Vital Signs program, the 

National Park Service tracks measurable features of 

the environment that indicate the health of park 

ecosystems as well as individual plant and animal 

species. The National Park Service also monitors 

PRESERVING MAGNIFICENT NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN NATIONAL PARKS

water quality, documents water conditions to preserve 

pristine park waters, and improves impaired park waters 

as a part of this program.

The Natural Resource Challenge program has established 

14 Research Learning Centers and 17 Cooperative 

Ecosystem Studies Units that coordinate environmental 

study of national parks. Examples of the work being 

done include:

• At Great Basin National Park in Nevada, this 

program funded activities to implement a 

conservation plan for the Bonneville cutthroat 

trout, thus avoiding the necessity of listing this 

species as threatened or endangered.

• 524 volunteers worked more than 3,000 hours to 

remove invasive tamarisk and perennial pepperweed 

from the Green and Yampa Rivers in Dinosaur 

National Monument in Colorado and Utah.

To protect an outstanding 

historic treasure, the Park 

Service rehabilitated Bachlott 

House at Cumberland Island 

National Seashore

(Georgia)

Maintenance Backlog Project
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

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When people vacation in national parks, they expect 

their families to be safe – far removed from the dangers 

of crime. Although most parks remain safe havens, 

parks are not completely immune from violence. Safety 

concerns have risen as violent crime, drug smuggling, 

border security, and terrorism have become park 

concerns. 

The National Park Service is responsible for most of 

the nation’s patriotic icons, including the Statue of 

Liberty, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, 

and Independence Hall. To protect these symbols of 

freedom and the visitors who enjoy them has required 

a substantial investment of funds in both infrastructure 

and law enforcement personnel, especially when higher 

threat levels require additional patrols. Major events, 

like the dedication of the new World War II Memorial, 

require more extensive security arrangements than ever 

before. 

As a result, National Park Service law enforcement 

budgets have increased 23.5 percent since this 

Administration came to office while the budget for Park 

Police operations has increased 39 percent. 

Another challenge has been security at border parks. 

A Park Service law enforcement ranger, Kris Eggle, was 

tragically killed in 2002 at Organ Pipe Cactus National 

Monument on the Arizona/Mexico border. The Park 

Service has increased its law enforcement strength and is 

constructing a vehicle barrier at the border. 

Overall, the Park Service has moved to strengthen and 

professionalize its law enforcement capabilities. At the 

request of the Secretary of the Interior in 2001, the 

Department’s Inspector General audited law enforcement 

programs in the Park Service and other bureaus. 

The Inspector General recommended numerous 

improvements. The Park Service is successfully 

implementing these recommendations. For example, the 

Park Service has begun replacing rangers who performed 

only part-time law enforcement activities with those 

who have a more dedicated law enforcement focus. 

Managers who supervise law enforcement officers are 

receiving specific training. The National Park Service 

law enforcement capabilities are now more closely 

coordinated and professionally managed through a new 

Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection. 

PROTECTING VISITOR AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY

Park Police officers on patrol.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

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• President Bush signed legislation authorizing

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical 

Park in Virginia. This park commemorates a 

nationally signifi cant Civil War landscape and the 

early settlements nearby.

• The National Park Service welcomed a beautiful 

new memorial honoring World War II veterans 

to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. President 

Bush honored the “Greatest Generation” in a 

moving ceremony featuring Medal of Honor 

winners, prominent entertainers of the 1940’s, and

many others. The World War II Memorial 

Committee headed by Senator Bob Dole and the 

American Battle Monuments Commission labored 

for years to create the memorial. Tens of thousands 

of World War II veterans, some wearing their 

uniforms, brought their families to the memorial 

for a day of remembering and celebrating freedom’s 

victory. Women who worked on the home front 

shared their fascinating stories in cooperation 

with the Rosie the Riveter National/WWII Home 

Front National Historical Park located in Richmond, 

California. 

• The Bush Administration proposed creating the 

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Oregon 

and Washington. This park will combine and 

expand existing state and federal parks, creating 

one seamless national park to protect the areas where 

Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805 during 

their westward journey.

• Planning and site development has started for the 

National Memorial for Flight 93, one of four 

planes that was hijacked and crashed on September 

11, 2001. The Park Service has worked closely with 

family members to tell the heroic story of those who 

died in the crash.

• President Bush signed legislation designating 

additional wilderness areas at Pinnacles National 

Monument in California and Lake Mead National 

Recreation Area in Nevada.

• President Bush also signed a law adding new acreage 

to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the 

Administration supports efforts to add 120,000 acres 

to Petrifi ed Forest National Park in Arizona.

NEW AND EXPANDED PARKS

President George W. Bush addresses a crowd of more than 150,000 

people at the formal dedication ceremony of the National World 

War II Memorial.

The Bush Administration has emphasized taking care of existing parks. The Administration has, however, 

supported important priority expansions of the National Park System including the following:
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

9

The NPS enjoys record levels of spending – per 

employee, per visitor, and per acre. The President’s 

budget directs this record funding toward visitor and 

employee safety, natural resource protection, and 

improving the buildings and structures that are so 

important to visitor enjoyment of the parks. Even with 

these record levels of spending, challenges always remain, 

especially in a system as complex as the National Park 

Service. 

The National Park Service maintains 26,000 buildings, 

8,505 monuments, 29,000 miles of roads and trails, 

2,900 water, wastewater and solid waste systems, 1,100 

campgrounds, and 517 dams. To address emerging 

challenges, the President’s 2005 budget proposed a $22 

million increase for park base operations to enhance 

visitor information services and other activities. 

National Park Service Regional Directors will assist 

Park Superintendents to ensure that outstanding visitor 

services are provided.

Employees of the National Park Service are highly valued 

and their efforts in innovation and creative thinking 

continue to help us deliver quality service to the public. 

The director of the National Park Service thanks all 

employees for their dedication and commitment to the 

mission of the National Park Service.

Park Service managers are pursuing cost efficiencies. 

Actions that have resulted in cost savings include:

• Strategic reviews of regional and central office 

functions resulted in projected $450,000 savings in 

the FY 2005 budget.

• A service-wide sign program will save $1 million in 

FY 2005. 

• A vehicle fleet management program will save $2.3 

million in FY2005. The Park Service will reduce its 

fleet size by 400 vehicles.

• Achieving greater effectiveness and efficiency in the 

publication program, including reducing printing 

costs by moving to web-based technologies will save 

another $1 million in the FY 2005 budget.

• In 2003, international travel was cut by more than 

50 percent and domestic travel was reduced 14 

percent.

• The Pacific West Region has created an enhanced 

organizational structure that delivers services in a 

more efficient and effective manner.

• The National Park Service has implemented a 

Partnership Project process that helps ensure projects 

stay on schedule and within budget.

• A diverse workforce continues to be a priority for 

the director of the National Park Service. The 

National Leadership Council is the most diverse 

council in the history of the National Park Service.

IMPROVING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MANAGEMENT

Canyonlands National Park (Utah).
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

10

Fire is a natural part of most forest ecosystems, but 

decades of fi re suppression have caused the build-up 

of overly dense areas. Once fi re breaks out in these 

overgrown areas, it becomes catastrophic. 

In response, the Administration has been fully 

implementing the National Fire Plan and the President’s 

Healthy Forests Initiative to reduce catastrophic fi res.

The Park Service also removes dense wood and 

underbrush from parklands as a means to reduce the 

effects of fi res when from happening. These fuel 

treatments also reduce the effects of fi res when they 

occur. From 2001 though 2003, NPS treated nearly 

400,000 acres of land. This year NPS is on track to treat 

an additional 124,000 acres and another 125,000 acres 

are proposed for FY2005. Fuels treatment projects are 

implemented according to an approved plan to meet 

park resource objectives with community input. 

IMPLEMENTING THE HEALTHY FORESTS INITIATIVE IN NATIONAL PARKS

President Bush signs the Healthy Forests Restoration Act

Untreated Treated

Benefi ts of Forest Thinning
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

11

Americans want clean water fl owing through their 

majestic national parks. Unfortunately, the water 

fl owing through the parks has in the past been polluted, 

frequently from damaged water and waste water systems 

that, in effect, poured untreated sewage into some of our 

nation’s most treasured streams. Defective wastewater 

systems pollute ground water and harm habitat and 

wildlife. Poorly maintained water and wastewater 

systems require extensive and labor-intensive efforts to 

keep them operational. Water and wastewater systems 

thus are critically important to park visitors and staff. 

This Administration has launched more than 280 

projects. Projects include:

WATER QUALITY IN THE NATIONAL PARKS

• $4.1 million at Everglades National Park to repair a

135,000 gallons per-day wastewater treatment 

system.

• $2.1 million at Yellowstone National Park to replace 

a wastewater treatment plant and relocate the Old 

Faithful sewer line away from geysers.

• $2.0 million at Yellowstone National Park to replace 

the Norris water and wastewater treatment facilities 

that serve 14,000 people per day.

• $960,000 at Padre Island National Seashore to 

rehabilitate the water mains and move the sewer 

main from the park’s entrance station.

Yellowstone National Park (MT/WY/ID) is replacing failing sewer systems and installing new sewer lines 

throughout the park to protect park resources and better serve visitors. 

Maintenance Backlog Project
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

12

More than 121,000 Americans volunteer in national 

parks, contributing more than 4.5 million hours of 

service. Their work is essential. From guiding the 

disabled and mending trails to conducting bird counts 

and rescuing injured mountaineers, all these services add 

value and vigor to America’s crown jewels. The National 

Park Service actively participates in the President’s USA 

FreedomCorps and Interior’s Take Pride in America 

program to help recruit and recognize volunteers in 

parks.

Local friends groups of national parks partner with park 

superintendents on a variety of projects: 

• Over the last four years, the Grand Canyon

Foundation raised $11 million for Grand Canyon 

National Park. These funds have been used to build 

trails, restore historic buildings, and sponsor 

internships.

• Friends of Acadia raised more than $400,000 and 

secured corporate grants for the Island Explorer, a

propane-powered bus system that runs through 

the park. The bus system has reduced air pollution 

and vehicle congestion in Acadia National Park.

• Western National Parks and Monument Association 

raised $1.2 million for 13 New Mexico parks. These 

funds have been used to produce and distribute 

more than half a million free publications, pay for 

Student Conservation Association workers and fund 

wildlife research.

• The friends of Great Smoky National Park raised a 

million dollars to reintroduce elk into that park. 

To celebrate and cement the benefi ts of these burgeoning 

partnerships, 1,600 people attended the fi rst-ever Joint 

Ventures Partnership Conference. More than 250 

different training sessions taught the fundamentals 

of successful natural resource partnerships. At the 

conference all seven federal land management agencies 

pledged to achieve goals through close cooperation and 

partnership. This conference was followed by a directive 

from NPS Director Fran Mainella urging all NPS 

employees to reach out and include local communities in 

decision-making that affects parks. 

The National Park Service also participates in the 

Preserve America initiative. Preserve America is First 

Lady Laura Bush’s initiative to encourage community 

efforts to preserve our priceless cultural and natural 

heritage. The Department of the Interior works with the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to administer 

the Preserve America Community program on behalf of 

the Offi ce of the First Lady.

Heritage tourism and its accompanying economic 

benefi ts to local economies remain key goals of Preserve 

America. Heritage tourism attracts increasing numbers 

of visitors to communities nationwide. More than 

100 cities in 20 states have already been designated 

Preserve America Communities, and four projects 

received Preserve America Presidential Awards. The 

Bush Administration’s fi scal year 2005 budget contains 

$10 million in Preserve America competitive grants for 

projects that meet the twin goals of both preserving 

important historic properties and promoting heritage 

tourism. 

PARTNERS IN PRESERVING AMERICA

First Lady Laura Bush discussing the Preserve 

America initiative.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

13

In addition to these priorities, other notable 

accomplishments include:

• The Bush Administration has proposed the Clear

Skies Initiative that will improve air quality in

our national parks. In April 2004, the 

Administration proposed a new rule on Regional 

Haze that will help improve visibility in parks 

by requiring the installation of best available retrofit 

technology on older facilities emitting harmful 

pollution. 

The air in our national parks will significantly 

benefit from these new regulations. For example, 

the regulation will reduce pollutants around the 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park by 70 to 80 

percent.

According to Jim Renfro, the Air Quality Specialist 

from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the 

Clear Skies Initiative will be a positive overall step 

that should reduce pollutants in the park by 70 to 

80 percent over the next 10 to 15 years. “These are

large reductions no matter how you look at it,” 

Renfro said. “The benefits are clearly there . . . .We

are in an area that will clearly benefit the most from 

the Clear Skies Initiative. When those reductions 

start to occur – and most of the improvements will 

be in the East – the Smokies will be downwind 

where those improvements are going to happen.” 

(Knoxville News-Sentinel)

• The National Park Service is promoting

volunteerism throughout all the national parks, 

consistent with President Bush’s USA Freedom 

Corps volunteer initiative. Each year, more than 

121,000 volunteers offer 4.5 million hours of 

services to the national parks and to those who visit 

the parks.

• The Bush Administration is asking Congress to 

enact long-term recreation fee authority to allow 

land managers, including the National Park Service, 

to make long-term investments, streamline 

programs, and create more partnerships, which 

will provide better services for our visitors. These 

fees provide superintendents with funding to quickly

respond to increases in visitor demand and, thus 

better enabling them to serve those directly using 

recreational amenities. 

• In the last three years, the National Park Service 

has acquired virtually all of the 109,000 acres of the 

East Everglades Addition to Everglades National 

Park, thereby providing permanent protection for 

these unique wetlands and habitat.

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 

(CERP) is the largest ecosystem restoration program 

ever undertaken in the world. It is a partnership

project of Federal, state, local, and tribal 

governments, as well as numerous other interest 

groups in the region, including the environmental 

community, agriculture, developers, tourism

interests, and private industry. The project is 

estimated to cost $8 billion and require 30 years

to complete. 

• In FY 2003, more than 500,000 educational, 

recreational, and cultural opportunities or programs 

were offered to 118 million national park visitors. 

More than 450,000 children participated in Junior 

Ranger programs at 286 national parks. The Web 

Rangers Internet site received an average of 3,000 

visits a day. The National Park Service is working 

with the National Park Foundation to expand the 

Junior Ranger program to a minimum of 320 parks 

and engage more than one million children and their 

families each year. 

OTHER PARKS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

14

Maintenance Backlog Project

In FY 2002, $93,630 

repaired the lower Pawtucket 

Canal wall at Lowell 

National Historical Park 

(Massachusetts).

STATE BY STATE INVESTMENTS IN PARK UNITS AND NATIONAL TREASURES

The following state list provides the number and 

description of national park units in each state, the 

number of visitors to those park units, and the numbers 

and dollar amounts of maintenance and construction 

projects planned, completed, or underway throughout 

the national park units (or other areas directed by 

Congress) since the Bush Administration came to offi ce. 

An estimate of dollars to be invested in FY 2005 based 

on recent averages is also provided.

ALABAMA

Alabama’s 5 national parks capture the rich cultural 

heritage of the South – commemorating the War of 

1812, voting rights legislation, and the Tuskegee Airmen. 

The parks attract more than 750,000 visitors each year.

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $2.9 million in 9 projects 

to preserve and protect Alabama’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national treasures in Alabama could receive 

an additional $4 million.

Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site received 

$1,000,000 to rehabilitate and restore historic Moton 

Air Field. Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site also 

received $250,000 to establish a temporary visitor contact 

and administrative facility. Tuskegee Airman NHS was 

authorized in 1998, and until now had no means of 

providing park visitors with information and services to 

answer questions and help interpret the story of the Tuskegee 

Airmen.

ALASKA

Alaska’s 23 national park units embody all that the 

northern frontier promises – glaciers, the tallest peak in 

North America, abundant wildlife, Native history, and 

fl owing rivers. These park units attract more than 2 

million visitors each year. 

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $69 million in 169 projects to 

preserve and protect Alaska’s national treasures alone. 

These projects are completed, underway, or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending 

since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, 

national parks in Alaska could receive an additional 

$15 million.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

15

At the Western Arctic National Parklands, $14 million is 

proposed in the FY 2005 budget to begin construction of 

a new visitor center/administrative building to replace a 

poorly constructed and obsolete visitor center that does not 

currently meet safety codes. 

Denali National Park and Preserve received over $10 

million to rehabilitate 10,000 square feet of existing visitor 

facilities and construct 10,000 square feet for expansion of 

the existing facilities to replace the obsolete Eielson Visitor 

Center. The new visitor center will include an interpretive/

orientation area, an eating/viewing area, a bus passenger 

waiting area, and restrooms. This project will result in 

improved services for the 388,000 annual visitors to this 

6-million acre park. 

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve has received over 

$490,000 to address safety and health hazards in three 

1940’s era employee housing units. Under this project, 

all major building components and features will be 

rehabilitated or replaced while all asbestos and lead paint 

will be fully abated. 

ARIZONA

Arizona’s 20 national parks offer everything the 

Southwest is supposed to be – canyons, deserts, cacti, 

mountains, and abundant sunshine. These park units 

attract more than 10.5 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $104 million in 310 projects 

to preserve and protect Arizona’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national park units in Arizona could 

receive an additional $33 million.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is underway with 

an $18 million project to build a security barrier along the 

park/Mexico border. The project will help reduce illegal 

vehicle entry into the U.S. through the park portion of the 

international border. The project will increase national 

security and increase protection for park employees, visitors, 

and resources.

Petrified Forest National Park has nearly completed a 

$5.9 million project to replace approximately 13 miles of 

the park’s main water line. The Civilian Conservation 

Corps constructed this water line 60 years ago. Once it 

began to fail, water leaks started to pose serious health and 

environmental threats. The new water line will protect the 

public, park employees, and the environment. 

Grand Canyon National Park is rehabilitating the Phantom 

Ranch Ranger Station, an important backcountry facility. 

The Phantom Ranch Ranger Station is located within the 

historic district and adjacent to Phantom Ranch, which is 

listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ARKANSAS

Arkansas’s 6 national parks represent an appealing mix 

of historic sites, beautiful scenery, and a rich culture 

– therapeutic hot springs, limestone bluffs, Civil War 

battles, Native history, and civil rights. These parks 

attract more than 2.4 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $10.7 million in 19 projects to 

preserve and protect Arkansas’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Arkansas could receive an 

additional $2 million.

Hot Springs National Park is underway with an $8 million 

project to rehabilitate several historic structures for public 

use. Completing this historic project will help the park to 

fulfill its mission by both protecting these important cultural 

resources and making them more easily available to visitors.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

16

Maintenance Backlog Project

In FY 2003, $1.7 million 

was invested to replace 

Camp Bridge at 

Whiskytown-Shasta-Trinity 

National Recreation Area

(California).

CALIFORNIA

California’s 24 national parks represent a diverse array 

of stories and natural history – from the grandeur of 

Yosemite, to the deserts of Death Valley, to soaring 

redwoods and sequoias, to the history of Manzanar and 

Rosie the Riveter and Cabrillo. These parks attract more 

than 34 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $229 million in 470 projects to 

preserve and protect California’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in California could receive 

an additional $27 million.

Yosemite National Park has used over $18 million to 

relocate the utility lines to the Curry Village area. The 

current sewer line serving the Curry Village is in poor 

condition and does not have adequate capacity to meet the 

needs of new development scheduled for the area, which 

includes a 217-employee dormitory. This project will 

provide reliable utility lines to the Curry Village area.

Yosemite National Park is also scheduled to receive an 

additional $5.5 million in the FY 2005 budget to repair 

the Yosemite Valley sewage collection system. This work 

is necessary to correct failing elements of the sewer system 

and to prevent sewage spills and groundwater infi ltration 

in the park. Originally constructed in the 1930’s, the 

Yosemite Valley sewer collection system consists of aging and 

deteriorated lines that are defective. This project received 

$5.7 million in FY 2004. 

Yosemite National Park is also using $9.9 million to begin 

planning for the design and repair of the Highway 140 

sewer line between Yosemite Creek Lift Station and Park 

Line. A section of the sewer line was washed away during 

the 1997 Yosemite fl ood, and subsequent inspections 

revealed that the 30-year-old sewer line is deteriorated and 

corroded and needs to be replaced. 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area received $13 million 

to perform a structural upgrade on Pier II to meet seismic 

safety needs. The work underway involves an innovative 

approach to seismic strengthening of piers that protects 

historic elements of the pier and allows ongoing public use of 

the area. 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is also upgrading 

and rehabilitating the 92-year old Cliff House, a site that 

is visited by 1.5 million visitors each year because of its 

striking panoramic views.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is scheduled to receive $10 

million in the FY 2005 budget to replace a dilapidated ski 

chalet serving as a visitor center. Built in 1970, the building 
U.S. Department of the Interior

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17

has fallen into disrepair. Construction of a new 

multipurpose visitor services facility will better meet the 

needs of visitors while enhancing employee safety and 

resource protection. 

COLORADO

Colorado’s 11 national park units represent the 

majesty of the American West– soaring Rocky 

Mountain peaks, streams and rivers, geological 

formations, and prehistoric ruins. These parks 

attract more than 5.5 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $67 million in 185 

projects to preserve and protect Colorado’s 

national treasures alone. These projects are 

completed, underway, or being planned. Based on 

an average of annual spending since 2001, once 

FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks in 

Colorado could receive an additional $15 million.

Rocky Mountain National Park is underway with 

a multi-million, multi-year project to improve Bear 

Lake Road, a popular scenic park road that provides 

year-round access to many wonderful recreational 

opportunities. These will be among the first significant 

improvements to Bear Lake Road since its construction 

nearly 75 years ago.

Mesa Verde National Park is investing $7.6 million 

to repair and rehabilitate its main entrance road, thus 

better ensuring the comfort and safety of both visitors 

and employees.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut’s sole national park represents the 

efforts of public and private interests working 

together to protect and preserve the remaining 

rural landscapes in an urban region – small towns, 

farmlands, forests, and mills. This park attracts 

more than 15,000 visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $4 million in 9 projects to 

preserve and protect Connecticut’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, the national park in Connecticut could 

receive an additional $1 million.

Wier Farm National Historic Site is scheduled to receive 

$3.5 million in the FY2005 budget to construct a new 

maintenance and administrative facility and rehabilitate 

an existing structure into the park curatorial facility. This 

new facility will replace the temporary maintenance and 

curatorial space three miles away in an old industrial 

complex that is currently an Environmental Protection 

Agency Super Fund site.

Weir Farm National Historic Site is also repairing and 

preserving the stone walls and barway gates throughout 

the park. The cultural landscape, including these stone 

walls and barways, is a central component in the visitor 

experience at Weir Farm. 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The District of Columbia’s 18 national park units 

capture the heart of America’s history and natural beauty 

– the vision of the Founding Fathers, the tragedy of the 

Civil War, monuments to war heroes, scenic highways, 

rich marshlands, and abundant wildlife. The parks 

attract more than 22 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $113 million in 115 projects to 

preserve and protect the District’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Washington, D.C. could 

receive an additional $35 million.
U.S. Department of the Interior

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18

Maintenance Backlog Project

In FY 2003, $38,000 

rehabilitated the GamBrill 

Mill trail at 

Monocacy National

Battlefi eld Park

(Maryland).

The Washington Monument is one of America’s most 

signifi cant national icons. The Park Service has received 

over $14 million to improve security ensure that the 

Monument remains a safe place to visit. 

A $6.1 million project to erect a vehicle-proof barrier is 

underway at the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial 

is one of the most notable landmarks in the world and is 

used to capacity every year. The vehicle barrier is needed 

to protect the Memorial and the millions who visit the site 

annually.

The Lincoln Memorial has also received $5.1 million to 

improve the interior and exterior lighting system, install 

safety lighting, repair the attic walls, and install a hydraulic 

oil containment system below the site’s elevator. 

FLORIDA

Florida’s 11 national park units represent the state’s 

natural and cultural variety – unique and extensive 

wetlands, white beaches, crystal waters, historic forts, 

and fl ora and fauna. These parks attract more than 9.6 

million visitors each year. 

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $72 million in 100 projects 

to preserve and protect Florida’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Florida could receive an 

additional $15 million.

Everglades National Park has begun a $4.5 million project 

to replace an obsolete wastewater treatment plant in the 

Pine Island District. The new system will provide for the 

safe and proper treatment of wastewater being generated in 

the park. 

$1.4 million project is underway at Canaveral National 

Seashore to rehabilitate two historic structures, while Dry 

Tortugas National Park has invested nearly $200,000 in 

completing the rehabilitation of its water treatment plant to 

meet public health codes.

GEORGIA

Georgia’s 10 national parks represent everything that the 

Deep South promises – tidal marshes, beaches, crystal 

waters, and Civil ar battlefi elds. The parks attract more 

than 6.2 million visitors each year.

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration 
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

19

Maintenance Backlog Project

Repair historic 

World War II

Barracks, Sandy 

Hook

FY 2003

Gateway National 

Recreation Area

(New Jersey)

has invested more than $15.8 million in 55 projects 

to preserve and protect Georgia’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Georgia could receive an 

additional $5 million.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park has 

received $4 million to reconstruct park tour roads used by 

the public. In poor condition, these roads have contributed 

to accidents and injury and served as a constant source of 

complaints from the public. 

Ocmulgee National Monument has received $460,200 to 

rehabilitate the heating, air conditioning, and ventiliation 

system in the park’s visitor center and $190,000 to re-open 

the River Trail that has been closed since the 1994 Tropical 

Storm Alberto fl ood.

HAWAII

Hawaii’s 7 national park units capture the diverse history 

and natural beauty of the Pacifi c Islands – exotic fl ora 

and fauna, volcanoes, Native history, and the solemn 

national shrine at Pearl Harbor. These parks attract 

more than 4.7 million visitors each year.

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $20 million in 105 projects 

to preserve and protect Hawaii’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Hawaii could receive an 

additional $6 million.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is scheduled to 

receive $3.9 million in the FY 2005 budget to preserve 

or rehabilitate a number of structures in the historic 

settlement area. The buildings are being preserved to 

maintain a historic scene, some are being repaired for future 

interpretative use, while others are being stabilized and 

rehabilitated for management use.

Haleakala National Park is replacing the House of the Sun 

Visitor Center’s comfort station and water/sewer system. The 

current comfort station, which is 50 years old, and sewer 

system are outdated, require constant maintenance, and 

cannot meet current visitor demands.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

20

Maintenance Backlog Project

In FY 2003, $20,000 was spent to 

repair a public land corps trail along the 

Appalachian National 

Scenic Trail

(Vermont).

IDAHO

Idaho’s 6 national park units represent the majesty of the 

American West – soaring Rocky Mountain peaks, streams 

and rivers and unusual geological formations. These parks 

attract more than 470,000 visitors each year. 

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration has 

invested $4.8 million in 23 projects to preserve and 

protect Idaho’s national treasures alone. These projects 

are completed, underway, or being planned. Based 

on an average of annual spending since 2001, once 

FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks in Idaho 

could receive an additional $500,000.

Craters of the Moon National Monument has received $1.3 

million this year to rehabilitate the existing visitor center and 

construct an add-on for museum storage, accessible public 

restrooms, and an audiovisual room. This construction work 

to the current 40 year-old visitor center will extend its useful 

life for another 40 years.

Minidoka Internment National Monument is underway 

with a $250,000 investment in the rehabilitation and 

relocation of facilities at the monument.

ILLINOIS

Illinois’s one national park commemorates the western 

expansion of America and one of our nation’s greatest 

presidents. The park attracts more than 383,000 visitors 

each year.

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $21 million in 10 projects 

to preserve and protect Illinois’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, the national park in Illinois could receive 

an additional $7.0 million.

Lincoln Home National Historic Site replaced 11,518 

square feet of oak boardwalks to prevent injuries to visitors 

and park staff. The new walkways will ensure public 

enjoyment and a positive visitor experience for the 400,000 

annual visitors to the Park. The site has also completed 

a $463,000 fi re suppression system to protect visitors and 

employees along with a $340,000 system to protect the 

museum’s collection.
U.S. Department of the Interior

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21

INDIANA

Indiana’s 3 national parks boast native plant diversity and 

rich historical significance. The parks attract more than 

2,204,000 visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $5.9 million in 25 projects 

to preserve and protect Indiana’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Indiana could receive an 

additional $2 million.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has received $2.3 

million to remove over 200 hazardous structures and 

associated walkways, utilities, and outbuildings from sites 

throughout the park. The park will restore these sites to 

their natural conditions and make them safe for visitor use. 

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has also completed a 

$475,000 repair and rehabilitation project to improve a 

dangerous intersection on Kemil Road.

IOWA

Iowa’s 2 national parks each have rich historical 

significance and exemplify the beauty of the Midwest. 

The parks attract more than 263,000 visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $300,000 in 3 projects to preserve 

and protect Iowa’s national treasures alone. These 

projects are completed, underway, or being planned. 

Based on an average of annual spending since 2001, 

once FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks in 

Iowa could receive an additional $100,000.

At Effigy Mounds National Monument, a $125,000 repair 

and rehabilitation project is underway to replace the water 

distribution lines. The project is necessary to eliminate 

the threat of exposure to asbestos from the main lines. The 

project will provide a safer environment for visitors and 

employees alike.

KANSAS

Kansas’s 5 national park units reflect the history and 

culture of this Midwestern state: from the rolling hills of 

the tallgrass prairie to the Topeka schoolhouse that led 

to the end of segregation in America’s public education 

system. These Kansas parks attract more than 133,000 

visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested almost $7 million in 22 projects to preserve 

and protect Kansas’s national treasures alone. These 

projects are completed, underway, or being planned. 

Based on an average of annual spending since 2001, 

once FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks in 

Kansas could receive an additional $3 million.

Fort Larned National Historic Site invested $50,000 for the 

repair and replacement of chimneys on Officers’ Row, while 

the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is underway with a $385,000 

project designed to stabilize an unsafe retaining wall. 

KENTUCKY

Kentucky’s 3 national park units showcase the beauty 

and history of the Bluegrass state – from geological 

wonders to the birthplace of the 16th president. These 

parks attract more than 3.3 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $35 million in 40 projects to 

preserve and protect Kentucky’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Kentucky could receive 

an additional $10 million.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

22

Maintenance Backlog Project

Repair/Repoint Historic walls and foundations

FY 2002 - $16,000

Manassas National Battlefi eld Park

(Virginia)

Mammoth Cave National Park has received $6 million to 

improve or replace the entire water system at the park. Over 

40 years old, the current water system is deteriorating with 

leaky lines and inoperable valves, and has led to concerns 

about the system’s ability to support fi re fi ghting efforts 

should the need arise.

Mammoth Cave National Park has also completed a 

$70,000 Repair & Rehabilitation project to improve the 

Heritage Trail. The Heritage trail is the primary trail 

and only handicapped accessible trail in the park’s visitor 

center area. It receives up to 1,500 visits a day during peak 

summer visitation and over 250,000 visits annually. 

LOUISIANA

Louisiana’s 4 national park units showcase the rich 

history of the Pelican State and the colorful culture of its 

people. These parks attract almost 700,000 visitors each 

year. 

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $5 million in 29 projects to 

preserve and protect Louisiana’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Louisiana could receive 

an additional $1 million.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park has received 

funding to preserve two nationally signifi cant plantations 

containing over 30 historic structures. The project will 

prevent loss of physical resources related to the 200-year 

plantation operation and to allow visitor use and access to 

those resources.

MAINE

Maine’s 3 national park units refl ect the natural diversity 

of the state – from the Appalachian Mountains to the 
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

23

rugged rocky coastline. These parks attract more than 

2.4 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $26 million in more than 

60 projects to preserve and protect Maine’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway, or being planned. Based on an average of 

annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Maine could receive an 

additional $5 million.

Acadia National Park has received $5 million in funds to 

upgrade restrooms, underground utilities, and campsites 

at the Seawall Campground. This project will bring 220 

campsites, 4 buildings, water and electrical lines, and roads 

into good condition.

MARYLAND

Maryland’s 13 national parks squarely reflect Maryland’s 

role in America’s formation by instructing visitors on the 

events and the personalities responsible for much of the 

nation’s early history. Of all the units in the National Park 

System, Maryland is home to the only one designated a 

national monument and a historic shrine. The parks attract 

more than 3.4 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $52 million in 165 projects to 

preserve and protect Maryland’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending since 

2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks 

in Maryland could receive an additional $16 million.

The C & O Canal National Historical Park is underway with 

a $6.4 million project to stabilize the Monocacy Aqueduct so 

that it can withstand the frequent flooding along the Potomac 

and Monocacy Rivers. The Monocacy Aqueduct is the largest 

and most impressive of the eleven aqueducts erected along the 

canal and is often described by historians as one of the finest 

canal features in the United States. 

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts’s 14 national parks preserve the birth 

of the American nation by instructing visitors on the 

events and the personalities responsible for much of the 

Nation’s early history. they also showcase the natural 

environment of the area. The parks attract more than 9 

million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $42 million in 98 projects 

to preserve and protect Massachusetts’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway or being planned. Based on an average of 

annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds 

are allocated, national parks in Massachusetts could 

receive an additional $13 million.

Cape Cod National Seashore is investing $1.0 million in 

replacing the water tank at the historic Marconi site and has 

the rehabilitation of the Salt Pond Visitor Center underway. 

During summer and fall, daily visitor use far exceeds the 

limits of the current visitor center. The Salt Pond Visitor 

Center project will improve visitor services and provide the 

public with a better park experience. 

MICHIGAN

Michigan’s 4 national parks embody everything the 

North Woods are supposed to be – rugged shorelines, 

wolves, sandstone cliffs, and lighthouses. The parks 

attract more than 1.5 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $9.5 million in 50 projects to 

preserve and protect Michigan’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Michigan could receive 

an additional $3 million.
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

24

Isle Royale National Park has invested $1.0 million in the 

repair and rehabilitation of four work boats and $500,000 

in the repair and rehabilitation of docks and backcountry 

trails. Isle Royale is also rehabilitating Todd Harbor and 

Little Todd Campgrounds. 

MINNESOTA

Minnesota’s 4 national parks celebrate the lakes and 

nationally significant natural, cultural, historic, and 

scenic aspects of the state. The parks attract more than 

520,000 visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $6 million in 30 projects to 

preserve and protect Minnesota’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Minnesota could receive 

an additional $2 million.

Voyageurs National Park is constructing 16 new campsites 

to protect park visitors and natural resources. Park approved 

and designated sites will reduce critical natural and 

cultural resource damage and increase visitor enjoyment of 

the camping experience. Voyageurs is also investing over 

$600,000 in the removal of hazardous surplus buildings.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi’s 6 national parks exemplify the role of the 

South in the building of the nation. National battlefield 

sites, antebellum properties, and restructured forts and 

trenches all make these parks significant. The parks 

attract more than 6.8 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $106 million in 40 projects to 

preserve and protect Mississippi’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Mississippi could receive 

an additional $32 million.

Vicksburg National Military Park has received $440,000 

to replace the Cairo gun carriages. The original gun 

carriages, salvaged from the USS Cairo, have been exposed 

to the elements and are showing signs of deterioration. The 

original gun carriages will be safely stored and replaced with 

aluminum/metal replicas.

MISSOURI

Missouri’s 6 national park units showcase the breadth of 

history and experiences available in the gateway to the 

west – from tree-covered mountains and scenic rivers to 

historic homes of great men to battle grounds. These 

parks attract nearly 4.3 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $19 million in 34 projects 

to preserve and protect Missouri’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Missouri could receive an 

additional $5 million.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is rehabilitating 10 

campgrounds. This project will clearly define campgrounds 

and parking areas to help restore disturbed natural areas. 

The project also includes installing improved campsite 

amenities such as manufactured fire rings, better signs, and 

tables. 

MONTANA

Montana’s 5 national park units represent the panorama 

of the Big Sky country – spectacular alpine vistas, 

historic ranches, battlefields, and three of the gateways to 
U.S. Department of the Interior

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25

the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. These 

parks attract more than 3.8 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $49 million in 85 projects to 

preserve and protect Montana’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Montana could receive an 

additional $10 million.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area has received 

$236,000 in Repair and Rehabilitation funds to replace 4 

fl oating comfort stations and docks. Currently, boaters have 

extremely limited access to health and sanitation services. 

These facilities are critical for the public and for protection 

of water quality/natural resources. 

NEBRASKA

Nebraska’s 5 national parks showcase the move west by 

the pioneers. Artifacts from the Cook Collection of Plains 

Indians, a restored frontier school, and more than 100 acres 

of restored tallgrass prairie, tell the story of life on the Great 

Plains during the 1800’s. The parks attract more than 

170,000 visitors each year.

Since coming to offi ce, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $1.4 million in 13 projects to 

preserve and protect Nebraska’s national treasures alone. 

These projects are completed, underway, or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending since 

2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks 

in Nebraska could receive an additional $300,000.

At Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, $400,000 is 

being used to replace an unsafe water supply system. The 

current water line, constructed in the early 1970s with 

asbestos pipe, is unsafe and unreliable. This project will 

provide good quality and safe water to employees and park 

visitors. 

NEVADA

Nevada’s 2 national parks represent the vastness of the 

American West–from the waters of Lake Mead National 

Maintenance Backlog Project

In FY 2004, Joshua Tree National Park invested 

$259,742 in reconstructing Rt. 12

(California)
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

26

Recreation Area to the deserts of Great Basin National 

Park. These parks attract more than 6 million visitors 

each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $49 million in 40 projects 

to preserve and protect Nevada’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Nevada could receive an 

additional $10 million.

Lake Mead National Recreation is repairing and 

reconstructing boat launches throughout the park. Due to 

severe drought conditions over the past few years, hundreds 

of feet of boat ramps are crumbling and developing large 

holes. The park is repairing these boat launch ramps using 

funds from the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire’s lone national park, Saint-Gaudens 

National Historic Site, is devoted to one of America’s 

foremost sculptors.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $550,000 in 4 projects to 

preserve and protect New Hampshire’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway, or being planned. Based on an average of 

annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, the national park in New Hampshire could 

receive an additional $200,000.

Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site has received 

$466,000 to rehabilitate a former maintenance facility for 

public use, and to repair a septic system that is over 100 

years old.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey’s 3 national parks present a diverse offering 

of history and scenery such as Revolutionary War sites, 

the Delaware Water Gap and the Coastal Heritage Trail 

Route. The parks attract more than 5.6 million visitors 

each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $21.7 million in 35 projects to 

preserve and protect New Jersey’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in New Jersey could receive 

an additional $9 million.

Gateway National Recreation Area has received almost 

$60,000 to stabilize deteriorating concrete walls, steps, 

and stairways at Battery Gunnison. The Battery Gunnison 

site received 500,000 visitors annually until these unsafe 

conditions forced its closure in 1998.

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico’s 13 national parks are everything that 

the Land of Enchantment is supposed to be–historic 

missions, cliff dwellings, forests, caves, white sands, and 

abundant sunshine. These parks attract more than 1.8 

million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $21 million in 120 projects to 

preserve and protect New Mexico’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in New Mexico could receive 

an additional $5 million.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park received $1.96 million 

in 2004 to reconstruct three 30-year-old parking areas that 
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

27

are threatening the park’s fragile cave resources. The new 

parking area will prevent polluted run-off from entering the 

caverns, thereby protecting the park’s most valuable resource. 

NEW YORK

New York’s 19 national parks showcase the history of 

America and the beauty of the Empire State – Federal 

Hall, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Delaware 

Water Gap. The parks attract nearly 15 million visitors 

each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $33 million in 75 projects to 

preserve and protect New York’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in New York could receive 

an additional $12 million.

At Fire Island National Seashore, the Park Service is 

repairing the Lighthouse dock. The dock had deteriorated 

and needed to be immediately repaired. The dock is used by 

100 percent of the visitors to the Lighthouse, so a safe and 

usable dock is important for the public.

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina’s 8 national parks are jewels of the 

Southeast – barrier islands, scenic mountains, and 

lighthouses. The parks attract more than 20.3 million 

visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $60 million in 100 projects 

to preserve and protect North Carolina’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway or being planned. Based on an average of 

annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in North Carolina could 

receive an additional $20 million.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore received $438,000 to 

replace many of the 240 cast iron stair treads and risers in 

the 1870 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Increased preservation 

of historic fabric of the 240 cast iron stairs will improve 

safety for more than 250,000 visitors and staff that climb 

the lighthouse stairs each year.

NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota’s 3 national parks represent the history 

of westward expansion, Native heritage, clear flowing 

streams and thick Northern woods. The parks attract 

more than 550,000 visitors each year.

Since FY 2001, the Bush Administration has invested 

more than $6.3 million in 16 projects to preserve 

and protect North Dakota’s national treasures alone. 

These projects are completed, underway or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending 

since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, 

national parks in North Dakota could receive an 

additional $2 million.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is rehabilitating 12 miles 

of the South Unit primary loop road. This 32-mile loop 

provides visitor access to picnic areas, campgrounds, trail 

heads, and numerous pullouts and wayside side exhibits that 

tell the story of the Badlands and the history of the area. 

Over 139,000 visitors access the park on this road. 

OHIO

Ohio’s 7 national parks highlight a diverse history 

– the invention of powered flight, the contributions of 

America’s First Ladies, and two Presidential historical 

sites – along with breathtaking winding rivers and 

upland forests. The parks attract more than 3.2 million 

visitors each year.
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28

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $27 million in more than 

45 projects to preserve and protect Ohio’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway or being planned. Based on an average of 

annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Ohio could receive an 

additional $9 million.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site received 

$100,000 to repair substandard and hazardous sidewalks. 

The completed project provides a new sidewalk surface that 

is safe for visitors while providing an accessible route for the 

disabled. 

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma’s 2 national parks embody America’s westward 

expansion and Native heritage – frontier forts, the Santa 

Fe Trail, and the end of the Trail of Tears. The parks 

attract more than 1.7 million visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $6.8 million in 13 projects to 

preserve and protect Oklahoma’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Oklahoma could receive 

an additional $2 million.

At Chickasaw National Recreation Area, approximately 

21 historic buildings have high concentrations of leadbased paint on their exteriors. Many other buildings badly 

need repainting as the existing paint is peeling, faded, or 

blistered. This project will remove lead based paint and 

provide a protective coating to help preserve these historic 

structures.

OREGON

Oregon’s 4 national park units are a microcosm of the 

diversity of the National Park System – breathtaking 

natural beauty at Crater Lake National Park, the 

culmination of Lewis and Clark’s westward journey at 

Fort Clatsop, the paleontology of the John Day Fossil 

Beds National Monument, and the intriguing geology 

of the Oregon Caves National Monument. These parks 

attract more than 900,000 visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $29 million in 49 projects 

to preserve and protect Oregon’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Oregon could receive an 

additional $7 million.

Crater Lake National Park is scheduled to receive $8.7 

million in FY 2005 funding to relocate the park’s historic 

cafeteria and rim parking lot. This project is in the design 

phase and when completed will protect visitors, improve 

visitor services, and protect the environment of Crater Lake 

and the inner caldera ecosystem

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania’s 16 national park units represent the 

historical struggle for freedom in the United States, from 

the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the memorial 

of Flight 93. These parks attract more than 7.8 million 

visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $56 million in 104 projects 

to preserve and protect Pennsylvania’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway, or being planned. Based on an average 

of annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds 

are allocated, national parks in Pennsylvania could 

receive an additional $15 million.

Independence National Historical Park is nearing 

completion on a $6.8 million project to upgrade 

utilities at the Second Bank of the United States. The 

current building systems date to 1972 and cannot 

be maintained to provide an environment that 

protects the site’s historic paintings and artifacts. 

The rehabilitation is needed to improve storage of 

the 6,000-item collection as well as provide better 

services, such as accessible restrooms, to the visiting 

public. 
U.S. Department of the Interior

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29

Gettysburg National Military Park has received $300,000 

to restore the battlefield’s landscape to reflect historic 

conditions. By re-establishing historic fences and landscapes, 

the park will be able to convey accurately the conditions and 

strategies on this portion of the battlefield.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island is home to the Roger Williams National 

Memorial, which celebrates the life of the founder of the 

Ocean state. This park attracts more than 54,000 visitors each 

year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $2.7 million in 3 projects to preserve 

and protect Rhode Island’s national treasures alone. 

These projects are completed, underway, or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending since 

2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, the national park 

in Rhode Island could receive an additional $1 million.

Roger Williams National Memorial is replacing unsafe flooring, 

and correcting water infiltration problems at the Hahn 

Memorial. The Hahn Memorial is a 20th century limestone 

and granite memorial that marks the original location of the 

freshwater spring that drew Roger Williams and his followers to 

establish a settlement at this location.

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina’s 6 national park units showcase the 

struggles of one of the original 13 colonies as well as the 

beauty of the South. These parks attract more than 1.5 

million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $2 million in 20 projects 

to preserve and protect South Carolina’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway or being planned. Based on an average of 

annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in South Carolina could 

receive an additional $750,000.

Kings Mountain National Military Park is rehabilitating 

the 60-year old park headquarters building. This building 

houses all of the support staff for the park and serves as 

a main contact point for contractors, partners, vendors 

and others that have business at the park. Little work 

beyond that of painting has occurred in this building 

since construction, so restoration will bring significant 

improvements.

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota’s 5 national parks showcase the beauty of 

the coyote state, from the majesty of Mount Rushmore 

to the eerie wonder of the Badlands. These parks attract 

more than 4 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $16 million in 50 projects 

to preserve and protect South Dakota’s national 

treasures alone. These projects are completed, 

underway, or being planned. Based on an average 

of annual spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds 

are allocated, national parks in South Dakota could 

receive an additional $4 million.

Wind Cave National Park received $2.1 million in the 

FY2003 budget to replace the asphalt parking lot surface 

and implement a system to collect and treat run-off from 

the parking lot. The project will protect one of the world’s 

longest and most complex cave systems from polluted run-off. 

TENNESSEE

Tennessee’s 7 national park units showcase the beauty 

and history of the Volunteer state, home of the Great 

Smoky Mountains and the battlefields of the Civil War. 

These parks attract more than 7,900,000 visitors each 

year. 
U.S. Department of the Interior

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30

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $23 million in 64 projects to 

preserve and protect Tennessee’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Tennessee could receive 

an additional $11 million.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has received $7.4 

million from the Federal Lands Highway Program for 

multiple projects, including work to resurface the Laurel 

Creek and Tremont roads; reconstruct the Greenbrier Road; 

and construct stabilized pull-offs and rumble strips on 

Gatlinburg Spur/U.S. 441.

TEXAS

Texas’s 13 national park units showcase the diversity of 

the Lone Star state. From Spanish missions and frontier 

forts, to the heights of the Guadalupe Mountains and the 

seashore of the Padre Island coast, Texas has it all. These 

parks attract more than 4,940,000 visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $14 million in 110 projects to 

preserve and protect Texas’s national treasures alone. 

These projects are completed, underway, or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending 

since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, 

national parks in Texas could receive an additional $5 

million.

Padre Island National Seashore has received nearly $1 

million to rehabilitate the turtle lab, an important 

component of the park’s efforts to restore populations of the 

endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. Padre’s turtle lab is the 

only lab in the United States that incubates Kemp’s Ridley 

eggs and releases subsequent hatchlings.

UTAH

Utah’s 12 national park units represent the diversity 

of the American West – deep canyons, inspiring rock 

formations, scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a 

panorama of human history. These parks attract more 

than 7,780,000 visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $35 million in 150 projects to 

preserve and protect Utah’s national treasures alone. 

These projects are completed, underway or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual spending 

since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are allocated, 

national parks in Utah could receive an additional $7 

million.

Bryce Canyon National Park has received $859,000 in 

funding to plan for the replacement and expansion of the 

Sunset Point visitor area. The project will replace restroom 

facilities and renovate the associated walks and picnic 

area. These facilities are used by 75 percent of the park’s 

1,600,000 annual visitors. 

VERMONT

Vermont’s lone park preserves the home of renowned 

pioneer conservationist George Perkins Marsh. This 

park attracts more than 33,000 visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $1.3 million in 14 projects 

to preserve and protect Vermont’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Vermont could receive an 

additional $300,000.

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park 

received funds to install a fire suppression system in the 

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion, the park’s prime 
U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

31

historic structure. The Mansion houses over 500 painting 

and prints, furnishings, and other museum collections 

associated with the park. 

VIRGINIA

Virginia’s 15 national park units represent the rich 

history and natural diversity of the United States – from 

the birthplace of America through the Civil War, from 

the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains. These 

parks attract more than 21.9 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $75 million in 245 projects 

to preserve and protect Virginia’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Virginia could receive an 

additional $25 million.

Colonial National Historical Park will spend over $11 

million to replace the park’s obsolete visitor center and 

construct a new facility to protect the Jamestown collection. 

The improvements are underway prior to the 400th 

anniversary of the Jamestown settlement in 2007. 

WASHINGTON

Washington’s 10 national park units soar from the 

shores of the Pacific Ocean to the heights of the Cascade 

Mountains. These parks are like spokes on a wheel, with 

the towering presence of Mount Rainier at the middle. 

Washington’s national parks contain soaring mountain 

peaks, lush rainforests, and the early trading history of 

the Pacific Northwest. These parks attract more than 7.1 

million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $135 million in 185 

projects to preserve and protect Washington’s 

national treasures alone. These projects are 

completed, underway or being planned. Based 

on an average of annual spending since 2001, 

once FY 2005 funds are allocated, national parks 

in Washington could receive an additional $30 

million.

Olympic National Park is underway with a $110 

million project to restore the Elwha River Ecosystem. 

The Department of the Interior is working with 

Federal, state, and tribal partners to restore the largest 

watershed in Olympic National Park. The complicated, 

multi-year project includes the removal of two 

hydroelectric projects on the Elwha River.

Also at Olympic National Park, the Park Service is 

rehabilitating 100 campground sites. The project will 

include new site fixtures, improvements to parking and 

tent sites, revegetation of bare ground, and installation 

of natural barriers to provide greater resource protection 

and visitor comfort.

WEST VIRGINIA

From breathtaking vistas to quiet glades of 

rhododendron and bird song, West Virginia’s 

4 national parks represent the verdure of the 

Appalachian Mountains. These parks attract more 

than 1.7 million visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested more than $14.7 million in more 

than 58 projects to preserve and protect West 

Virginia’s national treasures alone. These 

projects are completed, underway, or being 

planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in West Virginia could 

receive an additional $15 million.
U.S. Department of the Interior

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32

New River Gorge National River is improving the park’s 

13 river launch sites scattered over nearly 100 miles of 

the Bluestone, Gauley, and New Rivers. This project will 

improve site accessibility and visitor safety while protecting 

natural resources.

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin’s 2 national park units highlight the 

recreational opportunities and stunning beauty of the 

Badger State – from the rugged shorelines and cold 

waters of Lake Superior to the flowing waters of the St. 

Croix River. These parks attract more than 310,000 

visitors each year. 

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration 

has invested nearly $10 million in 25 projects to 

preserve and protect Wisconsin’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway, 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Wisconsin could receive 

an additional $3 million.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has received $94,000 

to repair the dock at Little Sandy Bay marina. The Little 

Sandy Bay area is the primary mainland visitor use area for 

the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, receiving about 25 

percent of the park’s 200,000 annual visitors.

WYOMING

Wyoming’s 6 national park units represent the beauty 

and ruggedness of the American West and the history 

of westward expansion – unique geological formations, 

majestic mountains peaks and serene lakes, and historic 

forts and trails. These parks attract more than 5.5 million 

visitors each year.

Since coming to office, the Bush Administration has 

invested more than $149 million in 220 projects to 

preserve and protect Wyoming’s national treasures 

alone. These projects are completed, underway 

or being planned. Based on an average of annual 

spending since 2001, once FY 2005 funds are 

allocated, national parks in Wyoming could receive 

an additional $40 million.

Yellowstone National Park is scheduled to receive $9.8 

million in the FY 2005 budget for phase II of the 

restoration of the Old Faithful Inn. The Old Faithful Inn, a 

National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register 

of Historic Places, is a distinctive example of rustic style 

architecture. This project received $5.9 million this year.
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33

“It is your park. It’s the park of every person who lives in America, and 

we’ve got to remember that. We’re stewards of the people’s land. We have 

an obligation to leave this park a better place than we found it – and there’s 

no doubt in my mind, thanks to the hard work of the park employees, to the 

volunteers who come, thanks to a Congress that recognizes that we need to 

maintain this incredibly important asset for our country, we’ll do our job.”

President George W. Bush

Santa Monica National Recreation Area

August 15, 2003