September 6, 2019 - On Thursday, the Government Accountability Office found that the Interior Department illegally used funds to keep national parks open during the recent government shutdown.   

A campground closure notice due to the January 2019 government shutdown at Joshua Tree National Park in southern California
Credit: NPCA

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association:

“During the government shutdown, the administration played a shell game with national park money in order to keep parks open. This jeopardized the parks themselves, and all who visited them. Today, after a months-long investigation, the Government Accountability Office agreed with NPCA and found that the Department of the Interior misused funds, breaking federal law. The Department of Interior must right this wrong and put guidelines in place to ensure this never happens again. Our national parks, and all who visit them, deserve nothing less.”

About National Parks Conservation Association: For 100 years, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org/100.
Source: NPCA