Norton Introduces Bill Providing Common-Sense Solutions to National Park Service Problems

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill that she has been working on with the National Park Service (NPS) that will clear the way for more efficient operations at the agency and address three common-sense issues. Among other things, the bill amends an existing law to make federal agencies responsible for removing snow and ice from the public areas associated with their buildings in D.C. In practice, agencies have done this for years, but this change will absolve the NPS, which is required by law to clear it, from legal liability for snow and ice removal.

"Our National Park System Critical Authorities Act of 2012 is a bill that makes small, common-sense adjustments to existing law," Norton said. "In the case of snow removal, agencies generally have been clearing their own public spaces in D.C. for years, but if this change is not made, there could be needless, costly litigation. This bill, however, costs taxpayers nothing."

Published: November 28, 2012