A rich resource of national parks and historic sites and memorials is part of a heritage dear to the hearts of Americans. We can be proud of our national parks system, with 333 diverse units, including about 190 established to preserve significant historic or prehistoric cultural resources. However, the public should be alerted that precious elements of this national heritage are being destroyed or damaged by vandalism, inadequate security, encroaching urbanization, natural catastrophies and other forces. In other words, unless the trend of deterioration is reversed, it may be questionable whether/tid;-….I ture ?’id’)flG.iViV5 aaniw some of the natural, historic and cultural values we enjoy today. Involved are such disparate resources as the Ford Theater in Washington, the Kennesaw Monmtain Civil War historic site in Georgia, Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, and Canyonlands in Southern Utah where a nearby nuclear waste disposal facility is proposed. Concerns have been expressed on a local basis from time to time. The problem came into nationwide focus several months ago when the National Park Service presented a long list of rather alarming conditions. , i The Christian Science ocN’aET” ‘fffhitfiiled detericountry’s cherished land-! marks in a series of articles last June. Two bills providing for a national parks system “resources evaluation and management act” to deal with the problem have been introduced in the House of Representatives-H. R. 5552 by Rep. John F. Seiberling, D-Ohio and H. R. 5976 by Rep. Douglas K. Bereuter, R-Neb. Many congressmen have joined as cosponsors. The two measures are being merged by the Public. Lands and National Parks Subcommittee of the Interior and insular Affairs Committee preparatory to full committee action. To illustrate the breadth I, of the stewardship, Bereuter’s office listed the categories of resources in the national system: Seventy-eight national monuments, 62’lhstoric %ites, 48 attlefiel s, memorials, 17 recreation areas, 14 sea and lake shores, 12 preserves, 11 wild and scenic rivers, 4 national parkways, and 14 in other classifications. It’s a matter of national pride and preservation of our heritage that steps be taken to safeguard our park resources. Official Washington should rally to the cause. Furthermore, every individual who visits one of the facilities should exercise responsible citizenship in seeing that no damage is done.