Earlier this month, NPS rescinded its cooperative agreement with the city of Vancouver over the maintenance, operation and administration of Pearson Air Museum. As a sub-cooperator of the city and manager of the museum, the Trust was effectively forced out after it failed to reach a new agreement with NPS.
“For years, Fort Vancouver was the shining example of a local community benefitting from a successful public-private management,” said Herrera-Beutler in a press release. “Forcing this change through congressional action was not my first choice. I am still hopeful that the National Park Service will work out a solution with the city and the Trust, and I will continue to do whatever I can to facilitate a compromise. However, if compromise fails, the Park Service needs to know a legislative fix is moving forward.”
