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By MATTHEW DALY
WASHINGTON (AP) — A gaggle of former nationwide park superintendents is asking on the Trump administration to shut the parks to guests in case of a authorities shutdown.
Previous shutdowns during which parks have remained opened have led to the vandalism of iconic symbols, destruction of wildlife habitats and potential endangerment of tourists, 40 former superintendents mentioned in a letter to Inside Secretary Doug Burgum.
A shutdown now might be even worse as parks are already beneath pressure from a 24% discount in workers and extreme price range cuts, the previous park officers mentioned in a letter Thursday. A secretarial order by Burgum directing parks to stay open has led parks to neglect trash assortment and different routine upkeep work, the ex-officials mentioned. The April directive mentioned the Park Service director ought to be sure that all park models stay open and accessible to the general public throughout their specified hours of operation posted on the park web sites.
“Leaving parks even partially open to the general public throughout a shutdown with minimal — or no — park staffing is reckless and places each guests and park assets in danger,” the previous officers wrote.
“Nationwide parks don’t run themselves. It’s hardworking Nationwide Park Service workers that maintain them protected, clear and accessible,” they mentioned.
“As stewards of those American treasures, we urge you to prioritize each conservation and customer security and shield our nationwide parks throughout a possible shutdown, and into the long run. If ample workers aren’t there, guests shouldn’t be both,” the previous superintendents mentioned.
Park workers handle every thing from routine upkeep of buildings and trails to instructional packages that educate guests how you can safely interact with nature and guided excursions that share the nation’s collective historical past, they mentioned. Lengthy-term tasks and analysis are additionally in jeopardy throughout a shutdown, they mentioned.
The letter was organized by the Coalition to Defend America’s Nationwide Parks and the Affiliation of Nationwide Park Rangers. The Inside Division and the Nationwide Park Service didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
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