In a "test case" for the national park system, the National Park Service yesterday agreed to a first-of-its-kind deal that will allow a private developer to run a movie theater and shops in Gettysburg National Military Park in exchange for erecting a new visitor center there.

NPS officials said they forged the $43 million public- private partnership because they could not otherwise secure the money needed to upgrade outdated buildings.

The plan to add a wide-screen Imax theater, gift stores and food services to the park "has already come under criticism in Congress." Rep. George Miller (D-CA), in a 9/97 letter to Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, argued that the Gettysburg commercial complex would need to be enormous in order to generate the revenue necessary to cover the private investment.

But Gettysburg superintendent John Latschar said the project could set a "magnificent precedent." The park service, "badly in need" of operating funds for 375 parks, "hopes it can sell the Gettysburg idea to the public." If the partnership proves successful, similar projects are likely to be established in other national parks.

NPS Director Robert Stanton stressed that negotiations over the plan and public hearings will continue before "agreements are signed".

This document was prepared by Wild Wilderness. To learn more about ongoing industry-backed congressional efforts to motorize, commercialize, and privatize America's public lands, contact:

Scott Silver, Executive Director,
Wild Wilderness
248 NW Wilmington Avenue,  Bend  OR 97701
Phone (541) 385-5261    E-mail: ssilver@wildwilderness.org