Ignoring Public Outcry, House Votes for National Park Service Staffing Cuts

Today, the House of Representatives voted to finalize the budget reconciliation bill, a piece of legislation highly contested by the National Parks Conservation Association, park advocates and outdoor businesses who rely on public lands. This bill claws back $267 million of previously committed funding for national park staffing in their moment of greatest need, and will now move to the president’s desk.

To make matters worse, the final bill mandates more leasing and drilling on public lands near places like Arches National Park. These protected landscapes, known for their breathtaking views, could suffer from hazy skies and air pollution, impacting visitors’ health and safety while obscuring night skies visitors travel thousands of miles to witness. With over 200 million acres of public land already open to oil and gas leasing, and just 12 million acres actively producing, there is no demand driving the expanded access.

Since the Trump administration took office, the National Park Service has lost 24% of its permanent staff, affecting every park unit in the country. Despite this decline, the House voted to take back over $260 million the parks relied on to keep historic and cultural resources safe and visitor centers staffed during summer, their busiest season. By voting for this bill, Congress has chosen to turn its back on our parks when they need support the most.

Statement by Daniel Hart, Director of Clean Energy and Climate Policy for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):

“Since the introduction of this reckless bill, the National Parks Conservation Association and park lovers across the country have overwhelmingly expressed their concern for public lands as lawmakers put them on the chopping block. And despite the thousands of Americans calling, writing letters and rallying in their communities for their national parks and public lands, the House demonstrated a carelessness for the places that shape the foundation of America’s identity, including our battlefields, scenic rivers and one-of-a-kind monuments.

“The consequences of this short-sighted legislation will be felt for generations. Visitors from around the world could face shuttered visitor centers, canceled ranger programs, longer lines and diminished park experiences — all the result of unnecessary slashes to National Park Service funding and a deepening staffing crisis.

“Congress may have turned its back on national parks, but the National Parks Conservation Association won’t. We’ll keep fighting to protect the places and experiences generations before us preserved and passed on to us. Our parks are facing one of their darkest times, and we won’t give up on them and their dedicated staff. Lawmakers must do better before we become the generation that stands by as our national parks and the American legacy collapse.”