Funding provided by "earmarks" and pollution in the most visited park in the U.S. were concerns discussed by Bob Griffitts, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. , and Bob Miller, public affairs officer for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on Tuesday at the University of Tennessee.

According to Griffitts, an "earmark" is when Congress designates a certain amount of money for a specific project. Earmarks have recently been very controversial. are concerned that the projects Congress is financing  through earmarks could easily be a waste of money. Miller recognizes that some projects tend to cause, "a road to nowhere," so to speak.

Miller said people do not donate money to paving roads or renovating bathrooms but prefer to fund projects like allowing kids to enjoy educational programs in the park. The national park often has to rely on the government to support the projects donations do not. The national park is only allowed to respond to the budget. Lobbying for government money to be used on certain projects is not allowed, he said.

"We feel that earmarks we have done have been very good projects and we can justify them," said Griffitts.

Griffitts said  the past successful projects earmarks have helped are the restoration and maintenance of 500 historic building in the park as well as the Heritage Center, which displays the park's artifacts.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is well known for it's beautiful scenery and diverse biology.

"This is the greatest park in the world," said Miller. According to Miller and Griffith pollution has been declining since 1990 and the problem is getting a lot better.

The national park and the government both play active roles in keeping the pollution down. According to Griffitts legislation was passed in Tennessee to help fund research about the ozone layer. Miller said the park is working hard to keep visitors educated about how they can help manage the air quality in the park.

The University of Tennessee has also helped the national park take care of some environmental issues. A tiny beetle called the woolly adelgid has affected certain species of trees. The beetle is a fluid-feeding insect that feeds on hemlock trees throughout eastern North America. The tree is therefore not able to get the sufficient food it needs to survive. Friends of the Smokies, an organization which helps to preserve and support the national park by raising funds, gave the University of Tennessee $250,000 to raise beetles that eat the woolly adelgid.

Griffitts said the government is working hard to make sure the park is getting the funds that it needs. Legislation called the National Park Services Check Off Bill is being pushed in order to motivate people to give money by offering them benefits for donating. Anyone who voluntarily contributes to the park will have the option of checking off a box on his or her income tax form.

Bill Miller and Bob Griffitts both agree that it is a privilege for Tennessee to have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.