Amid the ongoing government shutdown, hundreds of former employees from the National Park Service (NPS) are urging for the closure of national parks.
In a recent letter directed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, these former staffers highlighted troubling incidents, includingreported illegal diving incidents in Yosemite National Park anda vegetation fire that started at a Joshua Tree campground.
Over 400 signatories expressed their concerns, noting issues like “overflowing toilets, unpicked trash, and unsafe trails.”
“Our parks can’t run without the dedicated staff of the NPS. These troubling incidents show that clearly,” they stated. They acknowledged that closing parks isn’t taken lightly, but emphasized, “It’s a necessary step to protect them for future generations.”
The letter’s signers encompass various former roles within the NPS, including two past directors, John Jarvis and Robert Stanton, who served under the Obama and Clinton administrations.
There’s a mention in the letter of staffing cuts from the previous Trump administration, with hints of more layoffs expected, as a recent court filing reported a plan to reduce NPS employees by an additional 272.
Despite shutdowns, the Trump administration had aimed to keep parks open while furloughing around 64% of staff.
Before this call for closure, about 40 former national park managers had already voiced concerns, stating that past closures resulted in “iconic symbols cut down, habitats destroyed, and visitor safety compromised.”
When approached for comment, a Department of the Interior spokesperson referenced potential economic fallout from park closures on nearby communities. “We’re trying to mitigate the severe economic impact caused by the government shutdown initiated by Congressional Democrats,” the spokesperson said.
According to the statement, local economies which thrive on park tourism are facing severe losses, noting, “When parks close, surrounding towns lose significant income, jobs, and stability.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson attributed the prolonged closure to Democrats, arguing that “Every day the parks remain closed, communities are losing what they rely on from tourists. Congressional Democrats need to fulfill their responsibilities and reopen the government.”
The department indicated that currently, over 80% of its 430+ parks are operational to some extent.
