NPS Mission - National Park Service

National Park Service FY 2013 Budget Justifications
Activity: Park Management
Subactivity: Visitor Services
Visitor
Services
($000)
Interpretation
and
Education
Commercial
Services
FY 2011
Actual 1
FY 2012
Adjusted
Enacted 1
Fixed
Costs
& Related
Changes
(+/-)
ONPS-43
FY 2013
Program
Changes
(+/-)
Budget
Request
Change
from FY
2012
Enacted(+/-)
224,433 224,948 +2,021 -3,529 223,440 -1,508
14,300 14,400 +124 -156 14,368 -32
Total
Requirements 238,733 239,348 +2,145 -3,685 237,808 -1,540
Total FTE
Requirements
2,985 2,967 0 -21 2,946 -21
1
These amounts reflect the realignment of Park Management funds according to actual spending in FY 2011.
Summary of FY 2013 Program Changes for Visitor Services
Request Component ($000) FTE Page
• Reduce Park Base Operations Funding -2,688 -21 ONPS-45,
52
• Support for 2013 Presidential Inauguration +1,200 0 ONPS-45
• Eliminate Support for National Capital Performing Arts
Program
-2,197 0 ONPS-46
Total Program Changes -3,685 -21
Mission Overview
The Visitor Services subactivity supports the National Park Service mission by ensuring that visitors
safely enjoy and are satisfied with the availability, accessibility, diversity, and quality of park facilities,
services, and appropriate recreational opportunities; and visitors and the general public understand and
appreciate the preservation of parks and their resources for this and future generations.
Subactivity Overview
The NPS authorizing legislation mandates that America's national parks be available in perpetuity for
public enjoyment. National park areas have long been an inspiration for hundreds of millions of
Americans and people from around the world. Parks are a favorite destination, with more than 285 million
park visits each year. The NPS provides an array of activities, opportunities, and services to all of its
visitors. The goal of the NPS is to foster an understanding and appreciation of these places of natural
beauty and cultural and historical significance. Moreover, the NPS teaches and encourages the public to
use and enjoy the units in the national park system with minimum impact to park resources. The NPS
believes that visitors who develop an appreciation and understanding of the parks take greater
responsibility for protecting the heritage the parks represent, thus ensuring the national treasures will be
passed on to future generations. The Visitor Services subactivity includes two program components: