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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2017-016
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, ENCOURAGING CONGRESS TO CREATE A RELIABLE,
PREDICTABLE STREAM OF RESOURCES TO ADDRESS DEFERRED
MAINTENANCE NEEDS IN AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
WHEREAS,America's National Park System is a living testament to our citizens valor,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, in 2016,the National Park Service is celebrating its centennial 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 million acres across all 50 states,the District of Columbia,
and several U.S. territories and insular areas; and
WHEREAS, Alaska is home to 24 national park units, including Klondike Gold Rush
National Historical Park,Wrangell-St.Elias National Park and Preserve,Denali National Park and
Preserve, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park; and.
WHEREAS,Seward is an anchor community to Kenai Fjords National Park, and benefits
greatly from the tourism associated with visitors to the park; and
WHEREAS, the National Park Service's mission is to "to conserve the scenery and the
natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in
such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
generations"; and
WHEREAS,in 2015,the National Park System had more than 307 million visits,with 2.6
million in national parks in Alaska, and almost 300,000 to Kenai Fjords National Park; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, National Park Service estimates indicate that park visitors spent
almost $1.2 billion in local communities adjacent to national parks in Alaska, including over$59
million in the communities neighboring Kenai Fjords 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
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2017-016
provide safe facilities and environs to enjoy these resources; and
WHEREAS,in 2016,the National Park Service estimated a deferred maintenance backlog of
nearly $12 billion, over $117 million in Alaska, and $4.1 million at Kenai Fjords National Park,
which includes repairs to aging historical structures, trails, sewers, thousands of miles of roads,
bridges, tunnels, and other vital infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of Congress to maintain America's national parks to
ensure our natural places and our history is 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 BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. That the Seward City Council urges Congress to create a reliable, predictable
stream of resources to address deferred maintenance needs in America's National Park System.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 28th
day of March, 2017.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
4
can Bardarson,Mayor
AYES: Casagranda, Keil, Squires, McClure, Altermatt, Slater, Bardarson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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