A looming U.S. government shutdown has spurred a group of former national park superintendents to issue a call for the closure of all national parks and public lands should Congress fail to pass its spending bill. This letter, sent to the Secretary of the Interior, underscores mounting concerns about park sustainability and visitor safety in the wake of staffing shortages. Drawing on previous shutdown experiences, the group highlighted the degradation of infrastructures and threats to habitats that parks face.
The debate regarding the management of national parks during government shutdowns has been contentious. A previous shutdown lasting 35 days between 2018 and 2019 saw many parks remaining open. This decision, however, resulted in widespread damage and neglect. Reports documented how some tourists left waste scattered recklessly, while others ventured off-road, endangering fragile ecosystems.
Central to the superintendents’ concerns is the Secretarial Order 3426. This order mandates that all national parks and historic sites remain open, irrespective of potential staffing shortages due to a government shutdown. The order, issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, stipulates that any service reductions or closures must undergo a review by the National Park Service director and relevant Assistant Secretary. This directive emerged following substantial staff reductions led by the Department of Government Efficiency.
The precarious scenario paints a vivid picture of the challenges that arise when parks operate with minimal oversight. According to John Gardner of the National Parks Conservation Association, the previous shutdown period felt like a “nightmare scenario.” The prospect of a repeat has led to calls for decisive action to protect these public treasures and ensure visitor safety.
With the real possibility of another shutdown looming, the tension between maintaining public access to national parks and preserving their integrity intensifies. Stakeholders are urged to consider past lessons and prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term accessibility.