STATEMENT OF KAREN TAYLOR-GOODRICH, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, VISITOR AND RESOURCE PROTECTION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U

STATEMENT OF KAREN TAYLOR-GOODRICH, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, VISITOR AND RESOURCE PROTECTION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, CONCERNING S. 3010, TO REAUTHORIZE THE ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

JUNE 17, 2008

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Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to present the Department of the Interior’s views on S. 3010, a bill to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.

The Department has no objection to S. 3010, which would amend Public Law 106-45 to extend the time period for the expenditure of authorized appropriations for ten years from 2009 to 2019.

Route 66 charts a nationally significant path of 20^th-century American history. The promise of free land and economic opportunity drew thousands of Americans westward on the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails during the 19^th-century. A century later, those rutted corridors yielded to smoother, faster highways. Foremost among those early ribbons of asphalt was U.S. Highway 66, popularly known as Route 66.

It is ironic that Route 66’s success led to its own demise. As Americans of the Baby Boom era became increasingly mobile, this two-lane road could not handle the booming rise in car and truck traffic. The interstate highway system, with its wide and divided pavement, became the new and improved way to cross the continent by land. However, Route 66 remains embedded in the scenic landscape and in the minds of so many Americans who traveled it or came to know it through its iconic depictions in American popular culture.

Public Law 106-45 directs the National Park Service (NPS) to develop guidelines, provide technical assistance and matching grants for State, local and private preservation efforts, serve as a clearinghouse for communication, and help states determine ways to continue the program after federal support ends.  This led to the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, administered by the NPS, to help local, State, Tribal and federal agencies, nonprofits, and individuals set preservation priorities.  Partners now include individuals, business owners, State Historic Preservation offices, Scenic Byway and Main Street programs, Route 66 groups, departments of transportation, tribal agencies, environmental protection agencies, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and others.

Matching grants, technical assistance and clearinghouse services help with historic preservation, research, oral history, interpretation, and educational outreach. In addition, collaboration and partnerships help stimulate business and economic growth and community revitalization across the eight states and 36 congressional districts through which Route 66 passes. Grants are awarded in an annual competitive cycle. Special projects also are undertaken according to need and available resources. Public Law 106-45 authorized up to $10 million over 10 years for program work. In FY08, about $300,000 was appropriated.

In 2007, Route 66 was put on most-endangered-places lists by the World Monuments Fund, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and at least two state preservation organizations. Momentum continues to grow at grassroots and governmental levels, boosting awareness of Route 66’s significance and the need to save it as a part of 20^th-century American history.

The partners of the Route 66 Preservation Program have expressed gratitude for the Federal government’s support, which has triggered interest from other local governments, nonprofits, and individuals to supplement and boost those funds, thus increasing preservation efforts in the Route 66 corridor.

The partners and individuals who share interest in the Route 66 historic corridor believe reauthorization of Federal support is vital to preserving the historic roadway. The Administration has no objection to reauthorization of continued federal funding, subject to NPS priorities and the availability of appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared remarks. I would be happy to answer any questions you or any other members of the subcommittee may have.