How DOGE cuts are jeopardizing our national parks, “America’s best idea”
When British novelist JB Priestley visited the Grand Canyon in the 1930s, he described it as “a symphony of Beethoven’s all nine symphony in stone and magical light.”
“If I were American, I should remember its ultimate test of man, art, and policy… Every member or official of the federal government should remind himself with the pride of victory that he is a staff member of the Grand Canyon.”
In February, about 1,000 employees were fired across the Park Service as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. When the federal government fired some park service staff working in the canyon, it was the scene near the southern edge:
CBS News
In the weeks since, protests have occurred on hundreds of park service sites. Arcadia arrive Zion.
Jim Landahl was a seasonal ranger for many years until he was promoted to permanent in Grand Canyon six months ago. Then there is the termination of the email. “We lack the necessary skills, qualifications, fitness to perform this job. I didn’t accept the job at all because I knew it was a lie. I knew it was a mistake. Who wrote that letter didn’t go up the canyon with me in a hundred degrees of calories to do our job.”
Landahl’s work involves restoring habitats for failed reconstructions of the park Cross-season waterlineprovide water for cottages and other infrastructure. Because he held the position for less than a year, he was classified as a “probation employee.”
“The project is a critical infrastructure project for the Grand Canyon,” said archaeologist Leah Gallo. “With it, there is almost no Grand Canyon.”
Gallo was only engaged in the project for two weeks after he was released. “I almost spent a few cents to move here,” she said.
But the past Thursday, Two federal judges rule that the government must restore thousands of fired probation workers In several agencies, layoffs were found to be under false pretexts – not a factor.
It is not clear when park service staff may return to work.
Mindy Riesenberg is Grand Canyon Reservea nonprofit that supports the park. As we entered the busy season, she said she was worried that people would have to wait for a few hours to get into the park. “We had nearly 5 million visitors in the Grand Canyon last year,” she said. “Now, I think we have about 11 payees with 5 million people a year.”
When we visited the canyon last weekend, visitors were waiting for an hour and a half to enter the park. In New Mexico, Carlsbad Caves National Park All Ranger-led tours were cancelled. Colorado Florida Fossil Bed National Monument It was announced that it would be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to staff layoffs.
The cuts also impact on ongoing projects, and visitors may not see anything like Trastcanyon Waterline. “The project will be retained because scientists, botanists and orchidologists after that project, for safety and safety, all of this will stop. All of this will stop the project.”
Chuck Sams, who served as the 19th director of the National Park Service, resigned in January. “It seems to me that there is no rhyme or reason for what happened to these things.”
During his time as a director, Sams said: “I absolutely feel like we need more staff. The National Park Service needs at least 15% to have up to 25% of its staff to fully perform its mission. These people are important there. Now, we’ve seen 10% of people see 10% of people seeing 10% reduce Among employees. Therefore, this will be detrimental to people’s experience in the park. ”
Asked about comments, the National Park Service’s Office of Public Affairs told CBS Sunday Morning that “National Park Service is firmly committed to serving the U.S. public and retains natural and cultural resources entrusted to our care. However, NPS policy is not to comment on litigation related to personnel affairs.”
At the same time, a group of existing employees are called “Resistance Ranger” The cuts have been tracking down, speaking out on behalf of their fired colleagues.
One Ranger asked us to cover up our identity out of fear of revenge, and he told us: “None of us wants to do this. We are public land servants. We just want to do our jobs. I can’t separate myself from the task. I do this to love the public land. I do it for my nieces and niece.
Rangers are particularly concerned about tourists’ obsession, and they will travel to understaffed parks this spring and summer. “We were in a dilemma from the beginning, and now our knees are cut off,” they said. “Other than that, we have a $12 billion maintenance deficit. Like, you asked each of my national parks, I can point out six to seven high-priority products that need to happen in order to protect the integrity of that place. We just had the highest visit year in history; there were 331 million people last year; there were 331 million people in the park last year. It was a ridiculous number of people.”
Americans love their national parks. Last year, a Pew Research Center poll found that, in terms of federal agencies, The public has the best view of the National Park Service. It ranks the highest among Democrats and Republicans.
“I never met a member of Congress who didn’t like his hometown park during my service as Director of National Park Services,” Sams said. “And I usually see bipartisan support for National Park Services. Going forward, there must be a strong understanding that the park is not a party.”
Dismissed training expert Lynda Jones joins the park service to serve her country. “My parents were veterans,” she said. “They served in the military. They instilled in me the importance of public service.”
Although Thursday’s court ruling resumed her Glen Canyon National Entertainment District (at least temporarily) the Trump administration appealed – the power is still likely to decrease.
This leaves park staff like Jones dealing with uncertain futures, worried about what is coming. “It’s the story of America,” Jones said. “The story of the people who live here. It doesn’t matter with your background or where you come from. These places belong to all of us. And they’re really the best idea in America.”
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A story produced by Anthony Laudato. Editor: Carol Ross.
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