In brief
A collective of 40 former national park superintendents has formally requested that the Trump administration cease visitor access to national parks should a government shutdown occur. They argue that past experiences have led to vandalism and endangered wildlife. They stress that without sufficient staffing, the safety of both the parks and the visitors is at risk. The letter highlights the challenges already faced due to budget cuts and staffing shortages and urges prioritization of conservation efforts during any potential shutdown.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of former national park superintendents is calling on the Trump administration to close national parks to visitors in light of a potential government shutdown. In a letter directed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the ex-superintendents express grave concerns over the implications of allowing parks to remain open without proper staff oversight.According to the 40 former superintendents, history has shown that past shutdowns, during which parks continued to allow visitors, resulted in significant vandalism, environmental damage, and potential danger to both wildlife and park-goers. They point out that the current park conditions, compounded by a 24% reduction in staff and severe budget cuts, necessitate stringent measures to ensure safety and preservation of park resources.A recent secretarial order has mandated that parks remain open, which the letter claims has led to neglect in the maintenance of parks, including trash collection and other essential services.Leaving parks even partially open to the public during a shutdown with minimal or no park staffing is reckless and puts both visitors and park resources at risk, the former officials stressed in their communication.The former superintendents champion the need for adequate staff presence to manage the parks effectively, citing their role in ensuring routine maintenance, leading educational programs, and safeguarding historical narratives. They emphasize that without sufficient staff, not only is visitor safety compromised, but ongoing projects and research could also be halted.The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks and the Association of National Park Rangers were pivotal in organizing this appeal. However, the Interior Department and National Park Service have not yet commented on this urgent matter.
