An urgent warning has been issued jointly by the Association of National Park Rangers and the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (CPANP) to beg U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to fully close American national parks if a government shutdown happens.
The latest federal government shutdown caused by political dysfunction is expected to drop September 30.
“Past shutdowns in which gates remained open with limited or no staff have hurt our parks: Iconic symbols cut down and vandalized, trash piled up, habitats destroyed, and visitor safety jeopardized. If you don’t act now, history is not just doomed to repeat itself—the damage could in fact be much worse,” the letter said.
“This summer, our parks were pushed to the brink by budget cuts and staff reductions. A recent New York Times report found that at least 90 parks are already facing serious strain in an effort to comply with Secretarial Order 3426 that parks remain open and accessible to the public, despite huge reductions in the workforce. …
“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. … We urge you to prioritize both conservation and visitor safety and protect our national parks during a potential shutdown, and into the future. If sufficient staff aren’t there, visitors shouldn’t be either.”
The full text of the letter, which was signed by 40 former superintendents of U.S. national parks including Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Everglades, and Mount Rushmore, can be read on the CPANP website.
It’s not the only red alert that has been issued in recent days about the state of federal stewardship of the National Park System.
Earlier this week, the Association of National Park Rangers warned that the country’s national parks were already at risk of crime and poor response to health emergencies due to a drastic shortage of law enforcement rangers after the federal government canceled training courses for new recruits for the next two years.
“Park visitors who experience problems, such as having their cars broken into in campgrounds or at trailheads, or have accidents or sustain injuries, can expect a slower response by park rangers,” the group warned. “Moreover, law enforcement park rangers usually are the first responders to emergencies, such as lost persons, rescues, medical emergencies and fires. With fewer of these park rangers, responses to these emergencies could be delayed, making the potential consequences much more serious.”
In addition, on September 16 the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks issued a separate warning, calling the Trump administration’s directive to remove historical information it finds distasteful as a “dangerous and unprecedented move” that “undermines the core mission of these public spaces: to educate, preserve, and provide an honest reflection of our nation’s past—so that we can build a better future together.”
Americans are shouting in unison: Our national parks are being sabotaged—and visitors are no longer as safe as they were before.
