Bill Overview
Title: National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the National Park Foundation.
Sponsors: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals visiting national parks worldwide
Estimated Size: 300000000
- The National Park Foundation supports projects and programs that benefit national parks and the communities that engage with them.
- Global visitors, including both domestic and international tourists, to national parks will be impacted as the reauthorization supports park projects.
- Programs supported by the foundation can impact education, conservation, and facilities in national parks.
- People involved in conservation, environmental education, and cultural heritage are indirectly impacted as these areas may see support and growth.
- Employees and contractors working with the National Park Foundation could also be said to be impacted, positively, by continued operations and potential job stability.
Reasoning
- This policy primarily affects individuals who visit national parks, including domestic tourists and internationally as well. Given the vast number of visitors annually, we must include a wide range of individuals, from park employees to locals depending on tourism. Some people, like conservationists, directly benefit from funding, while others like international visitors may experience indirect benefits through improved park facilities.
- The program's impact scale can vary greatly depending on one's interaction with national parks—ranging from passive recreational visitors to educational or environmental engagement. Budget priorities likely focus on high-impact projects that can deliver visible and quantifiable improvements, influencing wellbeing scores through enhanced visitor experiences and job stability in park areas.
- Cost restrictions necessitate selective and strategically impactful project funding, likely benefiting heavily trafficked parks first. We will consider both immediate and extended impacts in the Cantril scores spanning two decades to illustrate the varied spectrum of influence.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Educator (Boise, Idaho)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the reauthorization is crucial, especially for educational programs in the parks. It gives me more opportunities to engage the community in conservation efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
National Park Ranger (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Continued funding is essential for operations and park maintenance. It's not just about visitor experience but also conserving natural resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Software Developer (New York, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I visit parks to escape city life. Enhanced facilities and conservation efforts by the park foundation are a big plus for leisure travelers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tourism Business Owner (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that boosts park visitation impacts my business positively. I hope it leads to more job stability in local tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Student (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization means more educational resources and internship opportunities, which are vital for my career plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired Teacher (Tallahassee, Florida)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved park facilities and trails are fantastic for retirees like me. It makes our visits more comfortable and memorable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
University Professor (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sustained funding ensures educational field projects remain feasible, enriching both student learning and research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
International Travel Blogger (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhancements in US national parks directly increase the appeal of my content to a global audience interested in sustainable tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
High School Senior (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Programs funded by the foundation are beneficial for my career path, providing crucial exposure and hands-on experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Construction Contractor (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reauthorization can lead to more contracts and work for us. It not only secures jobs but also improves park infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Funding extension through FY2030 ensures continuity for ongoing projects without disruptions.
- Limited effect outside the national parks system and tourism sector directly related to park visits.
- Possibility of leveraging private and local partnerships for additional funding beyond federal sources.
- Potential for enhancing conservation and educational outreach programs significantly.