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National Parks Ordered to Stay Open Despite Severe Staffing Shortages

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's directive limits local decision-making as parks face operational strain from workforce reductions.

FILE - People wade into water at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. The basin, normally a salt flat, has filled from rain over the previous few months. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
A visitor takes in the scenery at Tunnel View during snowy weather in Yosemite National Park, Calif., on March 6, 2025.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, center, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, right, speak to reporters at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Overview

  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order requiring national parks to remain open and accessible, effective immediately, despite significant staffing shortages.
  • The order mandates park superintendents consult with senior officials before implementing closures or service reductions, limiting local decision-making authority.
  • Critics, including park advocates and former officials, argue the order jeopardizes visitor safety and adds bureaucratic hurdles without addressing root staffing issues.
  • The National Park Service has lost approximately 1,500 permanent employees in 2025 due to workforce reductions under the Trump administration, exacerbating operational challenges.
  • The Department of the Interior has pledged to review park operations and staffing, with a report due within 15 days, but skepticism remains about its ability to resolve systemic issues.