National parks impacted by shutdown: Half of staff furloughed, access limited
The nation's parks were once again caught in the middle as the federal government shut down at midnight on Wednesday.
A newly released contingency plan from the National Park Service outlines how millions of visitors will be affected by the shutdown, from shuttered facilities and limited staffing to significant financial losses for nearby communities.
What will stay open
National parks will remain partially open during the government shutdown. Visitors will still have access to roads, trails, lookouts and open-air memorials, according to the NPS plan.
What will close
With more than 9,000 of the agency's 14,500 employees furloughed, most facilities that require staff will not operate. That means no permits, guided tours, routine trash collection, restrooms, road and walkway maintenance, or visitor information.
If a facility or grounds are normally locked after hours -- such as a visitor center or gated parking lot with set opening and closing times -- they will remain closed for the duration of the shutdown. Parks without accessible outdoor areas will shut down completely.
Limited services and safety concerns
The Interior Department said some basic health and safety services, such as limited restroom upkeep and trash collection, will continue where possible. Emergency services, however, will be scaled back, and any area that poses a safety or environmental risk may be closed.
NPS also noted that parks may enter agreements with state or local governments or third-party partners to help fund operations or provide specific services during the shutdown.
Economic impact
The financial toll is expected to be steep. The National Parks Conservation Association estimates that the system could lose up to $1 million per day in visitor fee revenue, while nearby communities could see as much as $80 million in lost tourism spending each day.
During the last shutdown in his first term, President Donald Trump ordered parks to remain open with limited staff to clean restrooms and remove trash. But with most employees furloughed, garbage piled up and facilities quickly deteriorated.
This week, national park leaders and advocates urged the Trump administration not to repeat that approach.
In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, 40 former superintendents wrote, "National parks don't run themselves. It is hard-working National Park Service employees that keep them safe, clean and accessible."
"If sufficient staff aren't there, visitors shouldn't be either," they added.
The shutdown plan was published just hours before a funding lapse across the federal government. On Tuesday night, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought instructed agencies to begin implementing their shutdown procedures.
On Wednesday, the first day of the shutdown, the Senate once again failed to pass funding legislation that would reopen the government, after two previous failed attempts the day prior.
Republicans and Democrats continue to blame each other for the stalemate. Republicans control both chambers of Congress but need at least 60 votes to pass their funding legislation, meaning they would need some Democratic support to end the shutdown.
