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Senator tells Energy and Natural Resources Committee that Interior budget, vacancies are crippling park services
Summary
A senator told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that the Department of the Interior's budget request and leadership vacancies are leaving parks short-staffed, delaying energy projects and cutting visitor services, citing vacant superintendent and regional director posts and a proposed 30% cut to operations programs.
A senator told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that the Department of the Interior’s proposed budget and vacant senior positions are leaving national parks and other public lands understaffed and with reduced services.
“In parks are cutting hours and services for visitors. Ranger tours are canceled. Toilets are overflowing and trash cans sit on empty. Permits are languishing on empty desks,” the senator said, summarizing a series of operational problems he blamed on staffing shortages and funding levels.
The senator said leadership and staff shortages extend across…
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