Once again, paralysis at the United States Congress threatens to temporarily close national parks across the country.
And once again, lawmakers are scrambling to agree on a way to extend spending on federal services, including national park access and maintenance. Meanwhile, parks advocates are urging congress members to come up with a long-lasting solution that does not result in drastic cuts in the National Park Service’s budget.
The National Parks Conservation Association is warning that steep budget cuts could be in store for NPS if proposed spending bills clear the current impasse on Capitol Hill.
“Over the next few weeks, Congress will consider several funding bills, including the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which funds the National Park Service,” NPCA said in a release. “The current Interior appropriations bill from the U.S. House of Representatives includes deep, historic cuts of 12.5 percent to the Park Service, totaling $433 million, a nonstarter for anyone who cares for our national parks.”
Before that can happen, Congress must agree on a stop-gap measure by Friday this week to keep the federal government open, including all national parks. A partial government shutdown will go into effect if lawmakers can’t agree on an extended spending package.
Last year, a government shutdown was avoided thanks to a 45-day temporary measure agreed to in October. 45 days later in November, lawmakers kicked the can down the road a bit further by adopting a spending package that extended to the beginning of March this year.
NPS has already warned that it will be forced to close national parks in the event of even a partial federal government shutdown. Battered by years of spending constraints, surging visitation rates, and staff shortages, NPS authorities have argued that in the absence of funds for staff salaries parks must be closed to prevent damage to them and to the facilities that service the public.
Some state governments have pledged to step in with their own funds to keep some of the nation’s most popular attractions open. For instance, last year the state governments of Arizona and Utah pledged to do what it takes to keep those states’ national parks open.
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