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Norton Bill Allowing D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park Passes House

January 16, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said her bill clarifying that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to maintain and operate NPS properties in the city, such as Franklin Park, today passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. Under current federal law, NPS has the authority to enter into such agreements with states and cities, and Norton's bill makes clear that D.C. is included under that authority. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who chairs the Senate committee of jurisdiction, introduced the Senate companion. The rehabilitation of Franklin Park would be funded through a public-private partnership between NPS, the D.C. government and the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

"Our bill leaves no doubt that the D.C. government, with support from local businesses, can work with NPS to improve and maintain local neighborhood parks, big and small, in the District, which are mostly owned and operated by NPS," Norton said. "I look forward to working with Senator Murkowski on getting the bill through the Senate and on the President's desk."