Norton’s D.C.-NPS Cooperative Management Agreement Bill Passes House, Headed to President for Signature

Contact: Raven Reeder

February 26, 2019

Norton’s D.C.-NPS Cooperative Management Agreement Bill Passes House, Headed to President for Signature

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House today passed the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), which includes Norton’s bill that clarifies that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements (CMAs) to maintain and invest in NPS properties in the District.  The District plans to enter into a CMA with NPS to take operational jurisdiction of Franklin Park and work with the Downtown Business Improvement District to improve the park by ensuring regular maintenance and providing amenities such as food, gardens and other services.  The Senate passed S. 47 on February 12, 2019, and it now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

“D.C. is a city of parks, many of them federal neighborhood parks in need of funding,” Norton said.  “This important bill clarifies the District’s ability to preserve and enhance the many NPS parks here.  Franklin Park, our first to engage, will serve as a model for parks to come.”

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