WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of former national park superintendents is calling on the Trump administration to close the parks to visitors in case of a government shutdown.
In a letter sent to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the 40 former superintendents pointed out that past shutdowns where parks remained open resulted in vandalism, destruction of wildlife habitats, and risks to visitor safety.
They highlighted that a potential shutdown now could be even more damaging, as national parks are already facing a 24% reduction in staff coupled with severe budget cuts. Burgum's directive to keep parks open has resulted in neglect of crucial maintenance tasks such as trash collection.
“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 conveyed.
The letter stresses that national parks do not manage themselves and rely on the hard work of National Park Service employees to keep them safe and accessible. The group urged prioritization of conservation and visitor safety during a potential shutdown.
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Association of National Park Rangers organized this letter, emphasizing the significant role park employees play in managing everything from routine building and trail maintenance to overseeing educational programs that guide visitors in safely enjoying nature.
The Interior Department and the National Park Service have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the letter.
