Washington -- Heeding the request of U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY), the National Park Service (NPS) has announced two additional listening sessions to be held in Wyoming as part of their Centennial Initiative. 

“I am very pleased the National Park Service has fulfilled my request to schedule additional listening sessions in other areas of the state,” Representative Cubin said.  “The folks at the NPS and I clearly agree on the importance of Wyoming’s citizens having legitimate and accessible opportunities to share their vision for the future of the NPS.”

The Centennial Initiative is part of President Bush’s proposed plan to reinvigorate and strengthen national parks over the next decade in preparation for the 100th Anniversary of the NPS in 2016. Earlier this month, the Department of Interior announced a nation-wide campaign to solicit comments on the President’s proposal to provide up to $3 billion of new public and private investment to improve and expand national park conservation, preservation and visitor service programs.  

A listening session was previously scheduled to take place in Torrington this evening.  At Cubin’s request, additional meetings will take place on Thursday afternoon in Lovell and on Friday evening in Kemmerer.  Specific meeting times and locations are listed below. 

“So many of Wyoming’s citizens care deeply about the future use and development of NPS lands, and it is critical their voices be heard during this public comment process,” Cubin said. 

Participants are being asked to focus their comments on three vital questions:

 Think of your children and grandchildren enjoying national parks in 2016 and beyond. How do you imagine their visit? What are your hopes and expectations?

 What role do you think national parks should play in the lives of Americans and visitors from around the world?

 What are the signature projects and programs that you think should be highlighted for completion over the next 10 years? 

Individuals who cannot attend meetings are invited to submit comments online at http://www.nps.gov/archive/2016/.  Comments must be submitted by April 1. 

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Torrington
Eastern Wyoming Community College
Community Training Center
3200 West C. St.
Torrington, WY
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
5-7:30 p.m.

Lovell
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area/Cal Taggart Visitor Center
20 Highway 14A East
Lovell, WY
Thursday, March 29, 2007
12-2 p.m

Kemmerer
Lincoln County Library
519 Emerald
Kemmerer, WY
Friday, March 30, 2007
7-9 p.m.