Interior Secretary Gale Norton released a report on Thursday defending the National Park Service's spending.

NPS has come under fire from conservation groups and some members of Congress who question why they has received record increases in funding but is cutting back services. The Interior's 2005 appropriations bill rebukes NPS for its "mismanagement" of funds, including spending millions on travel for employees.

Norton said yesterday the Bush administration has committed record resources for national parks. She said the money was being used wisely.

Get the Story:
Norton: Parks will always need maintenance (AP 7/9)
Norton: Park Service Funding Highest Ever (The Washington Post 7/9)
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Interior Secretary Norton Releases Report Showing Record Funding to Support National Parks (DOI 7/8)

Get the Report:
America's National Parks: Investing To Preserve Their Future (July 2004)

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