Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0737
Sponsors: CAMPBELL, MASON, VOLK, DUCHESNE, HARLOW, LUCHINI, POULIOT, SKOLFIELD

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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Tuesday, April 17, 2018 
Joint Resolutions 
(4-14)  On motion by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock (Cosponsored by Representative CAMPBELL of 
Orrington and Senators: MASON of Androscoggin, VOLK of Cumberland, Representatives: 
DUCHESNE of Hudson, HARLOW of Portland, LUCHINI of Ellsworth, POULIOT of Augusta, 
SKOLFIELD of Weld), the following Joint Resolution: 
S.P. 737 
_____ 
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 
TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN 
_____ 
JOINT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM 
WHEREAS, America's National Park System is a living testament to our citizens' valor and our 
nation's hardships, our victories and our traditions as Americans and has been called "America's best 
idea"; and 
WHEREAS, the National Park System preserves the diversity, culture and heritage of all Americans 
and serves as a living classroom for future generations; and 
WHEREAS, the National Park Service celebrated its centennial in 2016 and currently manages more 
than 400 nationally significant sites and an invaluable collection of more than 75,000 natural and cultural 
assets that span 84,000,000 acres across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several United States 
territories and insular areas; and 
WHEREAS, the National Park Service's mission is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural 
resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and 
future generations; and 
WHEREAS, in 2016, the National Park System had more than 331,000,000 visits, more than 
3,000,000 alone to Acadia National Park in Maine; and 
WHEREAS, it is estimated that in 2016 park visitors spent more than $18,400,000,000 at national 
park sites, including more than $275,000,000 in Maine's communities adjacent to Acadia National Park; 
and 
WHEREAS, the National Park Service has the obligation to preserve our nation's history, promote 
access to national parks for all citizens, stimulate revenue to sustain itself and nearby communities, 
educate the public about America's natural, cultural and historical resources and provide safe facilities and 
environs for the enjoyment of these resources; and 
WHEREAS, in 2016, the National Park Service estimated a deferred maintenance backlog of nearly 
$11,300,000,000, which includes repairs to aging historical structures, trails, sewers, drainage and 
thousands of miles of roads, bridges, tunnels and other vital infrastructure, more than $70,000,000 of 
which is in Maine; and 
WHEREAS, it is important that America's national parks be maintained to ensure our natural places 
and our history are preserved and documented for future generations and for the adjacent communities 
that rely on the direct and indirect economic benefits generated by visits to national park sites; now, 
therefore, be it 
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Legislature now 
assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to 
express our support for the creation of a reliable, predictable stream of resources to address deferred 
maintenance needs in America's National Park System, including Acadia National Park; and be it further 
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be 
transmitted to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation. 
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