THE COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS AND THE ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL PARK RANGERS HAVE SENT A JOINT LETTER TO U.S. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR DOUG BURGUM TO FULLY CLOSE AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS WHILE THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS UNDERWAY.
THE LETTER WAS SIGNED BY 40 FORMER SUPERINTENDENTS OF U.S. NATIONAL PARKS INCLUDING FROM MOUNT RUSHMORE, YOSEMITE, YELLOWSTONE, GRAND CANYON, SEQUOIA AND EVERGLADES.
IT STATES IN PART THAT PAST SHUTDOWNS IN WHICH GATES REMAINED OPEN WITH LIMITED OR NO STAFF RESULTED IN ICONIC SYMBOLS CUT DOWN AND VANDALIZED, TRASH PILED UP, HABITATS DESTROYED, AND VISITOR SAFETY JEOPARDIZED.
THEY SAY “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.
