Editorial: This land is their land

Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 | 7:13 a.m.

With another $2 billion in its budget, the National Park Service could create even more spectacular experiences for park visitors.

That's the amount the service says it needs to buy pockets of private land within the parks from willing sellers.

Among the private properties are 10 acres in Zion National Park in Utah, less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas.

Writing about the 10 acres and a missed opportunity to buy them, the Associated Press described them as among the most scenic in the whole national park system. Reporter Susan Gallagher wrote of their "world-class view of the park's awesome, 3,800-foot rock cliffs."

When the opportunity arose recently to buy the 10 acres, for about $320,000, Zion officials did not have the money.

The land instead went to private buyers, who remodeled an old tavern on the site and are using it for spiritual retreats. Great for them, but an eyesore for visitors seeking a natural experience.

In the world of federal budgeting, $2 billion for use nationwide is a small amount - especially if apportioned over several fiscal years.

But the Bush administration has placed a low priority on national parks in general and specifically on their budgets for buying land that has been in private hands since Congress created the park system.

In the last year of the Clinton administration, the Park Service budget for buying land was $139 million. For 2007 it was $24.6 million.

Just the money lost to corruption in Iraq could have bought numerous key parcels in the national park system. We hope the next president shows more respect for our national parks.