Statement of Phil Francis, Chair of The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, on the Partial Government Shutdown:
“We are deeply concerned about the decision by the Trump Administration and this Republican-led Congress to partially shut down the federal government. Adding insult to injury, Secretary Zinke is directing select national parks to remain open with severely reduced staff, which could inflict harm on our irreplaceable natural and cultural resources. Visitors will be unable to fully access all the services and facilities our national park system has to offer, and many federal employees are out of work for an undetermined length of time. The holiday season should be a time of joy and celebration; unfortunately, National Park Service employees are receiving a lump of coal in their stockings instead of their hard-earned paychecks”