It's Mount Rainier's birthday today and my letter to the Tacoma News Tribune is running it the current edition. It's time to take our park's seriously and set them on a path toward sustainability. Mount Rainier: Anniversary gift from Congress?
In 1899 President McKinley signed legislation creating Mount Rainier National Park, the fifth national park designated by Congress.
We have 15 national parks in Washington. They provide history, recreation and economic opportunities and benefits. In 2017, more than 8 million visitors enjoyed them and spent $507.8 million in local communities.
However, the parks need help. There is an infrastructure repair backlog estimated at $11.6 billion nationally and $398 million in Washington ($175 million at Mount Rainier).
This includes crucial repairs to aging historical structures and miles of trails and roads, bridges, tunnels, sewers, drainage and other vital infrastructure.
We have 15 national parks in Washington. They provide history, recreation and economic opportunities and benefits. In 2017, more than 8 million visitors enjoyed them and spent $507.8 million in local communities.
However, the parks need help. There is an infrastructure repair backlog estimated at $11.6 billion nationally and $398 million in Washington ($175 million at Mount Rainier).
This includes crucial repairs to aging historical structures and miles of trails and roads, bridges, tunnels, sewers, drainage and other vital infrastructure.
There is momentum in Congress to fix our parks. The effort is led by Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, as sponsor of HR 1225 - Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act.
It would be a great anniversary gift if all other members of Washington’s congressional delegation would cosponsor this critical legislation.
Sean Smith, Covington
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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.
He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.
All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith
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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.
He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.
All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith
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