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CNN Live At Daybreak

America's National Parks Popular Destination This Memorial Day Weekend

Aired May 27, 2002 - 06:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: America's national parks are a popular destination this long Memorial Day weekend. Our Eric Philips is actually at Yellowstone National Park, where getting back to nature can be an unpleasant adventure in paradise lost -- explain.

ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Carol. Actually, getting back to nature for me this morning could mean a wet adventure, but about 280 million visitors head to our national parks with year, with many of the national treasures struggling just to keep up with the influx of crowds. It has been the same story for years, environmentalists say, too many people, not enough money.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILIPS (voice-over): The powerful waterfalls of Yosemite, the breathtaking depth of the Grand Canyon, the geological wonders of Yellowstone. Millions flock to the 385 national park locations each year to see nature at its simplest, but with the visitors come complications.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because the parks are basically under siege by just population growth.

PHILIPS: A challenge for the Bush administration.

GALE NORTON, INTERIOR SECRETARY: When you have so many people coming to our parks with facilities that were built for a lot fewer people, it really takes a lot of planning for us.

PHILIPS: Planning that conservationists argue should begin with increasing the operation budget for the national parks. It has increased approximately 5 percent over the last 10 years.

TOM KIERNAN, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: Unfortunately, we don't have the funding to do -- complete the science and the research to protect the natural treasures.

PHILIPS: The Bush administration is dedicating money to fix longstanding problems, like replacing a defective sewer line at Yellowstone's Old Faithful and repaving roads in several parks. But officials say equally as important is the lack of money for day-to-day operations, and many parks do not have enough rangers to cover a 24/7 schedule or enough interpreters to provide visitor education. KATHY DUFFY, INTERPRETIVE RANGER: There is a saying that interpreters use: through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.

PHILIPS: Park service personnel say they do the best with what they have, and visitors are thankful.

JENSEN STOUP, PARK VISITOR: We are just very fortunate in everything we have, and there is a huge sign of a great fortune.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILIPS: The Bush administration has established a top 12 list to restore America's parks, but, Carol, environmentalists say that's just scratching the surface -- back to you.

COSTELLO: So if I am planning a trip out there, how can I be a good citizen?

PHILIPS: Well, one thing you can do is donate money to the parks. They always need that, and they are always accepting donations. They realize that government appropriations are only going to go so far, especially with priorities being given right now to defense spending. They know that getting into the government's pocket is going to be definitely difficult. So if you come to the parks, if you want to do something good for the parks, make a donation.

COSTELLO: OK. We thought you were standing under Old Faithful, but it really is raining out there.

PHILIPS: It absolutely is.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Eric.

PHILIPS: All right.

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