White House preservation plan unveiled

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) is STUDYING A $300 MILLION, 20-YEAR PLAN that addresses the preservation, operation and educational programs of the White House and President's Park. The plan includes a new visitor and learning center featuring exhibits, films, interactive displays and special presentations for White House visitors.

* SEN. BEN CAMPBELL (R-COLO.) HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION that would allow national parks to impose fees on filmmakers who use the land for commercial purposes. Fees could be as high as $3,000 per day.

* INITIAL STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ESTABLISH THE NATION'S NEWEST NATIONAL PARK, which will commemorate the renowned Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The Alabama site where the pilots of the all-black air corps unit took their training will be incorporated into the park.

* AN EXPERIMENTAL REINTRODUCTION OF BLACK BEARS TO BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RECREATION AREA IN TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY is showing signs of success; two litters of newborn cubs have been found in dens occupied by radio-collared sows.

* AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN THE NPS AND 15 ORGANIZATIONS WITH AN INTEREST IN CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, Georgia, that calls for compatible management of the historic structures and wilderness areas on the island, including the restoration of the Plum Orchard Mansion.

* YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK'S HUGE TRACTS OF WILLOWS ARE ENDANGERED by water fluctuations and hungry elk herds. Estimates indicate a 60-percent decline in the trees in the northern winter meadows.-BEVERLY EDWARDS & Russ DEMARIS

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. Jun 1999
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