Heath Shuler: “Oconaluftee Job Corps Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, has served a vital role in providing opportunity and direction…”

“Oconaluftee Job Corps Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, has served a vital role in providing opportunity and direction to the young people of western North Carolina. This center has operated under the control of the National Parks Service along with the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center and the Great Onyx Jobs Corps Center in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, all three of these centers face uncertain future. Earlier this year, the Department of Labor closed the Oconaluftee center without warning, citing safety concerns. The U.S. Forest Service has expressed interest in fixing these safety concerns and reopening the Oconaluftee center. The U.S. Forest Service has also proposed to assume management of the other two centers. The National Park Service has stated it is willing to transition these three centers to the Forest Service. The U.S. Forest Service has a long-standing tradition of quality and service in the Appalachian region. Mr. Chairman, the Senate Interior Appropriations bill contains language directing the Park Service to transfer control of these three Job Corps centers to the U.S. Forest Service. The community surrounding the Oconaluftee Job Corps Center is in favor of this transition. Mr. Chairman, would you be willing to work with me to ensure that this language is included in the final conference version of this bill?”