Should the U.S. Save More Land or Fix More Parks?

Yosemite National Park, above, has more than $555 million in overdue maintenance projects. The National Park Service as a whole has almost $12 billion in delayed repairs-four times its annual budget. Crumbling infrastructure and outdated facilities are evidence, critics say, that the focus of the government should be on fixing what it has, not acquiring more.

Meanwhile, President Obama announced last week that he’s seeking to restore a full $900 million in funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, perhaps the most popular and important federal program for preserving land. Despite being funded by revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling, the program was allowed by Congress to expire last fall, to a large extent over reluctance to set aside more parcels from development.

Is it possible to accomplish both? Should we? Should we prioritize keeping parks running instead of making more?

WIN SMITH SUNGLASSES JUST BY VOTING
This week, one poll participant will receive Smith Optic’s Rockford sunglasses. We’ll pick the winner via random number generator (and announce it here) – all you have to do to enter is vote and leave a comment so we have your email to contact you. Must have a U.S. or Canadian address. Contest ends Sunday, February 14, at midnight PST.
Congratulations to Laura Sy who wins the Smiths this week!

Photo by Su-May