Officials from the District of Columbia would be authorized to forge cooperative management agreements with the National Park Service (NPS) to better manage parkland under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Friday.
Murkowski, the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the bill, S. 1956, as companion legislation to a measure introduced in the House by U.S. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) in June.
“Both the District and the Park Service share the mutual goal of providing better, more cost-effective management of our park sites across the nation’s capital,” Murkowski said. “S. 1956 would facilitate the implementation of this goal by extending authority to the District to enter into cooperative management agreements. Residents and visitors will reap the benefits of these agreements, starting with Franklin Park.”
The historic Franklin Park, which is owned by the NPS, is located three blocks from the White House and is in need of improvements. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said funding has been budgeted for developing Franklin Park, according to a letter she sent President Donald Trump in March about the need to expedite infrastructure projects under the jurisdiction of the NPS.
The management agreements would facilitate the operation, maintenance and management of parks within the NPS in the District of Columbia, including for the design and construction of improvements to the parks, according to the text of the bill.
Norton called the bill “a big win” for both the federal government and the District of Columbia that would let residents and visitors enjoy green space in downtown Washington, D.C.
“I am grateful to my friend Senator Lisa Murkowski for introducing her Senate companion bill supporting the District’s efforts to work with NPS to rehabilitate Franklin Park and other underfunded NPS properties across the nation’s capital,” Norton said. “Our House bill has already been passed by two committees and is on its way to the floor.”
Bowser, a Democrat, joined Norton in voicing bipartisan support for the bill.
“S. 1956 will enable the District to move forward on projects that will improve Washington, D.C., for residents, visitors and businesses, and we are pleased to collaborate with Sen. Murkowski on this legislation,” Bowser said. “With the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements, the District and the National Park Service will be able to restore urban spaces like Franklin Park so that they better represent and reflect the strength and grandeur of our nation’s capital.”