As the U.S. government faced an impending shutdown, the National Park Service (NPS) began taking steps to close portions of public lands nationwide while maintaining access to trails and open spaces. The NPS’s approach emerged following uncertainty regarding how to manage park operations in the face of the shutdown.
A detailed plan issued on Tuesday highlighted that more than 9,200 NPS employees would be furloughed, leading to a significant staffing reduction of about 64%. The NPS will continue to permit public access to certain areas, including open-air memorials and park roads, while only retaining personnel essential for safeguarding “life and property.” Furthermore, funds collected from park fees will be utilized to uphold necessary facilities such as bathrooms and campgrounds, despite previous legal challenges regarding this practice during past shutdowns.
Acting NPS Director Jessica Bowron communicated that gated facilities should be secured for the duration of the government closure. This response comes as national park advocates and former superintendents urged the Trump administration to avoid a repeat of past policies that left parks vulnerable when unstaffed. Past shutdowns, particularly during Trump’s first term, resulted in significant damage to national parks, including vandalism and environmental degradation, with reports of destruction specifically highlighting issues at Joshua Tree and Big Bend national parks.
With autumn drawing millions of visitors, national parks play a critical role in managing wildfires and ensuring safety amid high fire risks in the western U.S. Experts have voiced concerns about the dangers of allowing parks to remain open with a minimal workforce, emphasizing the potential hazards for visitors.
The current shutdown threatens to compound existing challenges for the NPS, which has already dealt with significant budget cuts impacting staffing and resources. While the Biden administration’s prior shutdown directives focused on securing park access and safeguarding resources, recent indications suggest that the current administration may favor continued public access, raising worries among park advocates.
Historically, government shutdowns have resulted in financial setbacks for national parks, with previous closures leading to substantial economic losses for local communities reliant on tourism. As the future of national parks hangs in the balance, advocates stress the importance of protecting these cherished spaces from being caught up in political disputes, reaffirming their value as beloved public lands for all to enjoy.