Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board asks county administrator to press federal partners on Assateague lifeguards and oppose NASA/WALFS budget cuts
Summary
The Accomack County Board of Supervisors on June 17 directed the county administrator to draft letters to federal legislators urging restoration of National Park Service lifeguard coverage at Assateague Island and opposing proposed federal budget cuts that could affect NASA’s Wallops/WALFS operations.
After hearing public-comment and agency updates, the Accomack County Board on June 17 directed County Administrator Mike Mason to draft letters to federal legislators asking them to (1) press for the restoration of National Park Service (NPS) seasonal lifeguard services on Assateague Island and (2) oppose federal budget cuts that could negatively affect NASA’s Wallops/Wallops Flight Facility and associated activities that are important to the county’s economy.
Mason said he had already communicated with federal legislators and the town of Chincoteague about lifeguard staffing issues. He told the board the options under consideration include a tri-party cooperative arrangement (NPS allowing the county and town to procure seasonal lifeguards and use some NPS equipment) and a joint county–town funding approach. He also said a federal hiring freeze and NPS staffing reductions had made the situation uncertain but that a cooperative agreement — in which the county and town provide staffing while NPS provides access and equipment — appears to be the most viable near-term option.
Board members asked staff to proceed quickly and to keep the board informed; one supervisor noted that recent comments from the Department of the Interior Secretary indicated seasonal hires should be allowed. The board approved motions directing the administrator to draft the letters and to ask federal legislators to oppose budget cuts affecting NASA and the Wilds/Wallops operations.
Why it matters: Assateague’s lifeguard staffing affects public safety at a popular public beach. Separately, potential federal budget cuts to NASA or the Wallops facility could have outsized local economic impacts.
Action: The board voted to direct the county administrator to draft letters to federal legislators on both issues and to continue exploring cooperative arrangements with NPS and the town of Chincoteague.
