Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
Sierra Sun Times file photo
March 15, 2025 - With a shutdown averted by the passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement:
“While we are thankful a shutdown of the federal government has been averted, this CR slashes billions of dollars for critical services and does not provide enough funding to protect our national parks and public lands. In short, it will further hamper the operation of national parks and program offices that are reeling from delayed seasonal hiring, a gutted federal workforce, cancelled leases on essential NPS buildings, and an inability to purchase even the most basic of supplies due to a de facto spending freeze.
In addition, this CR does not offer any protections for the federal workforce, nor does it address this administration’s decision to ignore Congressional directives on how to spend appropriated funds. The support that members of Congress and this administration have shown for impounding federal funds is deeply troubling.
Unfortunately, we seem to be trapped in an endless cycle of shutdown threats, CRs, and continued chaos. This is not good news for parks, public lands, or the American people.”
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks represents over 3,700 current, former, and retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service, with over 50,000 collective years of stewardship of America’ s most precious natural and cultural resources. Recognized as the Voices of Experience, the Coalition educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation and protection of the National Park System, and mission-related programs of the National Park Service. More information can be found at https://protectnps.org
Source: The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
