House Appropriations Bill Would Decimate National Parks And Deepen An Existing Crisis That Is Already Impacting Visitors And Parks Safety

House Appropriations Bill Would Decimate National Parks And Deepen An Existing Crisis That Is Already Impacting Visitors And Parks Safety For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 15, 2025  Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com Today, a key House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee will mark-up the Fiscal Year 2026 bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which would

SEEC Institute and Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Release New Report Detailing Climate Change Impacts on America’s National Parks

SEEC Institute and Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Release New Report Detailing Climate Change Impacts on America’s National Parks FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 07/15/2025 Washington, D.C. – Today, the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Institute (SEEC Institute) and the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks released a new report, America’s Best Idea in Peril:

Supreme Court Ruling Greenlights Mass Layoffs, Parks Groups Warn National Parks and Thousands of Park Staff in Jeopardy

July 9, 2025   Supreme Court Ruling Greenlights Mass Layoffs, Parks Groups Warn National Parks and Thousands of Park Staff in Jeopardy New Analysis Highlights Real-World Impacts of Ongoing Staffing Cuts to National Parks Washington, D.C. — In a decision with sweeping consequences, the U.S. Supreme Court has lifted a lower court injunction blocking President

Supreme Court Intervenes to Allow Trump’s Unlawful Reorganization of the Federal Government to Continue as Case Proceeds

Supreme Court Intervenes to Allow Trump’s Unlawful Reorganization of the Federal Government to Continue as Case Proceeds Court Uses Shadow Docket to Lift Lower Court’s Pause of Unconstitutional Overhaul of Vital Departments and Agencies July 8, 2025 CONTACT: pr***@**************rd.org Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court has granted another emergency stay request from the Trump-Vance

Conservation Groups Urge Full Environmental Review of Dominion Energy’s Proposed Power Line Expansion Through Manassas Battlefield

National Park Service Jessica Bowron, Comptroller, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Acting Director Bowron, We, the twelve undersigned organizations, are writing to share our concerns regarding a forthcoming permit request from Dominion Energy for a proposed right-of-way (ROW) expansion for a transmission line through Manassas

Coalition Participates in Meeting with Arizona Daily Star Editorial Board: Preserve our public lands

Arizona Daily Star Editorial: Preserve our public lands Jun 26, 2025 When word came down about Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s plan, inserted into the Big Beautiful whatever, to mandate the sale of between 0.5% and 0.75% of all Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands in 11 Western states over the next five

NPR: Asked to flag ‘negative’ National Park content, visitors gave their own 2 cents instead

JUNE 26, 2025 3:16 PM ET HEARD ON ALL THINGS CONSIDERED   By Chloe Veltman   Signs installed earlier this month in national parks across the country asking visitors to share feedback on “any signs or other information that are negative about past or living Americans” are eliciting all sorts of reactions. But comments viewed

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Blasts DOI’s Biased Regulatory Reform Effort Favoring Industry Over Conservation

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW Submitted on-line via: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOI-2025-0005-0001 June 30, 2025 U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Subject: DOI Request for Information (RFI) regarding Regulatory Reform To Whom It May Concern: I am writing on behalf of the Coalition to Protect

Coalition Joins Opposition to Oil and Gas Provisions in Budget Reconciliation

June 28, 2025 The Honorable John Thune Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Democratic Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Re: Oppose Oil and Gas Provisions in Budget Reconciliation Dear Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, and Members of the Senate, Our nation’s public lands are irreplaceable. They provide essential

Coalition Rallies Media to Defend National Parks Amid Trump-Era Threats and Budget Cuts

From its first days, the Trump Administration has threatened a number of drastic cuts to national parks and public lands more broadly. They have slashed staffing, attempted the largest ever reduction in the park service budget, and tried to sell off millions of acres of public lands – all while forcing the parks to remain

After Bipartisan Outrage, Controversial Provision To Sell Public Lands Is Stripped From Reconciliation Package

  For Immediate Release: June 24, 2025 Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com After Bipartisan Outrage, Controversial Provision To Sell Public Lands Is Stripped From Reconciliation Package  Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks Calls Ruling From Senate Parliamentarian A Win And Commits To Keeping Up Fight To Protect Public Lands and National Parks  Late last night,

Public Comments Submitted on 11th Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program (BOEM-2025-0015)

June 16, 2025 Submitted via www.regulations.gov Ms. Kelly Hammerle National Program Manager Bureau Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD) 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216 Re: Comments in Response to Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program MAA104000 (BOEM-2025-0015) Dear Ms. Hammerle: The Southern

Coalition Urges Rejection of President’s FY26 Budget Proposal Slashing Over $1.2 Billion from NPS

June 13, 2025 Dear Members of Congress, We, the members of the National Parks Second Century Action Coalition, and other organizations are alarmed by the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget that proposes over $1.2 billion in cuts to the National Park Service (NPS) and urge you to reject it. If enacted, it would be

Coalition Talks with The Hill on Proposed Cuts to NPS

Trump’s cuts to National Park Service rankle Republicans By Rachel Frazin – 06/09/25 6:00 AM ET President Trump’s proposed cuts to the National Park Service (NPS) are troubling some Republicans. The Trump administration has proposed a 30 percent cut to the park service’s operations and staffing budgets. In addition, the administration’s budget calls for transferring

Comments on Proposed Air Plan Approval for South Dakota’s Regional Haze Plan — Second Implementation Period

  Joe Stein Air and Radiation Division Region 8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1595 Wynkoop St. Denver, CO 80202 Electronic Filing Regulations.gov Re: Comments on Proposed Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period [EPA Docket No. EPA–R08–OAR–2024–0609] Dear Mr. Stein, The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Sierra Club and

Comments on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI for the BLM MTDKs Proposed Q4 2025 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale in McKenzie County, North Dakota

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW Submitted via: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2036978/595/8021245/comment June 4, 2025 Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas State Office Branch of Fluid Minerals Attention: Hattie Payne 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 Subject: Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Fourth Quarter (October) Oil

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls President’s Budget “Deeply Problematic And Dangerous”

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2025 Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls President’s Budget “Deeply Problematic And Dangerous” In response to the President’s budget proposal for the Department of Interior, which would cut 33% of the Department of Interior budget, including a 36% cut to the National Park Service

NPCA, ANPR, and CPANP Strongly Oppose OPM’s Proposed Civil Service Rule

June 2, 2025 Charles Ezell Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20415 Re: “Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service,” Proposed Rule, 90 Fed. Reg. 17182, Docket ID: OPM-2025-0004 Dear Acting Director Ezell, The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR) and Coalition

Coalition on California National Parks and Call to Action

Yosemite and Other CA National Parks Underfunded, Understaffed this Summer Mina Kim May 29, 2025 The Trump administration’s budget and staffing cuts to national parks could mean longer lines, closed visitor centers and fewer search and rescue workers this summer, according to former parks staff and advocates. The cuts are also compromising scientific research and

Appeals Court Allows Block on Administration’s Unlawful Reorganization of the Federal Government to Continue

Appeals Court Allows Block on Administration’s Unlawful Reorganization of the Federal Government to Continue May 30, 2025 Denies Trump Request to Overturn Injunction in Case Brought by Massive Coalition of Labor Unions, Non-Profit Organizations, Cities and Counties Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has rejected a request from the

Comments Address Assessment of Project’s Impacts on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, a Federally Designated Unit of the National Trails and Landscape Systems

COMMENTS OF JOHN W. HISCOCK, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS REGARDING–BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, ST. GEORGE FIELD OFFICE, UTAH – GUNLOCK STATE PARK WEST ACCESS ROAD ROW –DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2025-0020-EA These comments are submitted on DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2025-0020-EA, Gunlock State Park West Access Road ROW. The comments are related to the

Coalition Letter: The Historic Preservation Fund Needs Full and Robust Funding

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jeff Merkley Ranking Member Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike Simpson Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States House of Representatives Washington,

Judge Deals Significant Blow to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

PRESS RELEASE May 22, 2025 Preliminary Injunction Issued in Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government without Congressional Approval Washington, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division today issued a preliminary injunction that will block the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal

Coalition Joins Opposition to Oil and Gas Provisions in Budget Reconciliation

May 21, 2025 The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, and Members of the House, Our nation’s public lands are irreplaceable; they contain critical habitats and cultural resources while providing invaluable opportunities

Retired National Park Leaders Raise the Alarm Before Start of Summer Travel Season: Cuts to Public Lands Will Impact Californians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2025 Retired National Park Leaders Raise the Alarm Before Start of Summer Travel Season: Cuts to Public Lands Will Impact Californians California — Today, retired national park leaders are calling attention to how cuts to public lands will impact California residents this summer. Over the last several months, the federal

Coalition Sends Letter in Support of Full Funding for National Heritage Areas

March 11, 2025 The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jeff Merkley Ranking Member Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike Simpson Chair Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee United States House

Coalition Submits Comments on Draft Environmental Assessments and Findings for BLM New Mexico’s 2025 Oil & Gas Lease Sale

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS * NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION * NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL* ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILD May 21, 2025 SUBMITTED VIA E-PLANNING Melanie Barnes State Director Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico (505) 954-2222 Project Contacts: Catherine Brewster cb*******@*lm.gov (505) 954-217 Cody McCullah cm*******@*lm.gov Allison Nelson ae******@*lm.gov Sarah Scott

Coalition Joins Comments on Proposed West Virginia Regional Haze Air Plan Approval

Michael Gordon U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 1600 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103–2852 Electronic Filing via Regulations.gov Re: Comments on Proposed Air Plan Approval; West Virginia; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for the Second Implementation Period, 90 Fed. Reg. 16,478 (Apr. 18, 2025) [Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR 2025–0174] The National Parks Conservation

Coalition Joins Comments Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act

May 19, 2025 Federal eRulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov Docket: FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034 Re: Comments Regarding Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act: 90 Fed. Reg. 16102 (April 17, 2025) Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Lutnick: These comments are filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the sixty-six undersigned organizations. The undersigned organizations and their members work

Six Questions to Ask Secretary Burgum at Hearings This Week

May 19 2025   This week, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum will testify in front of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday May 20 and in front of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday May 21.   This administration has made devastating cuts to national parks staff, setting up a potential crisis.

Coalition Opposes Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act

Electronic Submission – No Hard Copy to Follow Submitted via – https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/17/2025-06746/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act May 19, 2025 Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Subject: Document FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001, Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Lutnick: I am writing on

Coalition Comments on Draft EA and FONSI for 45,804 Acres in BLM’s Wyoming 2025 Oil and Gas Lease Sale

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS * NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL * ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILD * WYOMING OUTDOOR COUNCIL May 15, 2025 SUBMITTED VIA E-PLANNING U.S. Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office 5353 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne, WY 82009 Project Contacts: Lindsay Abercrombie la**********@*lm.gov (307) 332-8429 Erik Norelius en******@*lm.gov (307) 775-6284 Allen

Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government PRESS RELEASE MAY 9, 2025 Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government without Congressional Approval Washington, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division today issued a temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration’s

Coalition Joins Scoping Comments on Parcels for the Wyoming BLM 2025 Fourth Quarter Competitive Oil & Gas Lease Sale

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS * NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION * ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILD * WYOMING OUTDOOR COUNCIL May 9, 2025 SUBMITTED VIA E-PLANNING U.S. Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office 5353 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne, WY 82009 Project Contacts: Lindsay Abercrombie la**********@*lm.gov (307) 332-8429 Erik Norelius en******@*lm.gov (307) 775-6284 Allen

Member Oped: Protect our national parks, don’t exploit them

May 7, 2025 Opinion by Mike Soukup National Parks are a beautiful reflection of our country’s magnificent national and cultural heritage.  Their protection is a high form of patriotism and worldwide source of inspiration.  National Parks also generate significant revenue for national, regional, and local economies.  From all angles National Parks are a good deal

5 Former Directors of the National Park Service Send Letter to Secretary Burgum Stating His Recent Order Is “Contradictory With The Law And The Intent Of Congress”

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 8, 2025  Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com 5 Former Directors of the National Park Service Send Letter to Secretary Burgum Stating His Recent Order Is “Contradictory With The Law And The Intent Of Congress” Letter Also Signed By 8 Deputy Directors  Today, nearly every living former Director of the National

NPS Retirees: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale

Release Date: May 7, 2025 NPS Retirees: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale Reconciliation Package Includes the Potential Sale of Public Lands Washington, D.C. — In the middle of the night, Republicans in the House Committee on Natural Resources introduced a last-minute amendment to the budget reconciliation package allowing for land sell-offs in Nevada

Former NPS Directors and Leaders to Burgum: Ensure the Protection of our National Parks

May 8, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC, 20240 Dear Secretary Burgum: As former senior leaders of the National Park Service (NPS), we are writing to express our concerns about Secretarial Order 3426, which states that, “that all park units remain open and accessible to

Coalition Opposed to Ambler Road Provisions In Budget Reconciliation Bill

  May 6, 2025 The Honorable Bruce Westerman Chairman Committee on Natural Resources Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Jared Huffman Ranking Member Committee on Natural Resources Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman: I am writing to you today on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, a non-profit organization

Coalition Supports the New Mexico Environmental Department’s proposed Regional Haze State Implementation Plan

Archaeology Southwest * Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Conservation Voters New Mexico * EarthKeepers 360 *Great Old Broads for Wilderness National Parks Conservation Association * New Mexico and El Paso Interfaith Power and Light New Mexico Wild * Rio Grande Indivisible, NM * Rocky Mountain Wild * Sierra Club, Rio Grande Chapter * The

Coalition Signs on in Opposition to Harmful Oil and Gas Provisions in Budget Reconciliation Bill

May 5, 2025 The Honorable Bruce Westerman Chairman House Committee on Natural Resources 1324 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Jared Huffman Ranking Member House Committee on Natural Resources 1332 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Re: Oppose Oil and Gas Provisions in Budget Reconciliation Dear Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman,

Coalition Signs on in Opposition to Harmful Provisions Targeting the Arctic in Reconciliation Bill

Dear House Natural Resources Committee Chair Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman CC: Members of the House Natural Resources Committee For decades, the Arctic has been threatened by industry attempts to sacrifice clean air and water, lands, and wildlife for the benefit of oil and gas corporations. The catastrophically harmful language in this bill around the

House Committee On Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill Will Endanger Public Lands

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2025 Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com House Committee On Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill Will Endanger Public Lands  Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks Urges Committee To Reject Bill That Prioritizes The Interests Of Oil and Gas Industry Over the Interest Of Taxpayers  In response to bill language put out by

UPDATE: Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments Seek Emergency Relief in Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

UPDATE: Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments Seek Emergency Relief in Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government PRESS RELEASE MAY 2, 2025 Reorganization and Massive Reductions in Force Across Federal Agencies Violate Core Constitutional Concepts of Separation of Powers Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls Reports of Large Scale RIFs At National Park Service “Worst Case Scenario”

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls Reports of Large Scale RIFs At National Park Service “Worst Case Scenario” In response to reports that the Interior Department has begun a reduction in force (RIF) that will be “deep and blunt” at the National Park Service, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s

Coalition to Sec. Burgum: Uphold Roosevelt’s “Conservation Ethic” and Defer Leasing Near Theodore Roosevelt NP

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW April 28, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240 Subject: Proposed oil and gas leasing on BLM lands adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Dear Secretary Burgum: I am writing to you today on behalf of the

Massive Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments File Omnibus Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

Published by Democracy Forward April 28, 2025 Statements: Massive Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments File Omnibus Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government APRIL 28, 2025 A coalition that includes nationwide labor organizations, vital non-profit groups, and local cities and counties in California, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Washington all united today to

RIFs At National Park Service Would Make A Dire Situation Far Worse

For Immediate Release: April 24, 2025 RIFs At National Park Service Would Make A Dire Situation Far Worse In response to reports that the Interior Department has begun a process that is likely to lead to a reduction in force (RIF) at the National Park Service, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect

Coalition Comments on Draft E.A. and Finding of No Significant Impact for the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Third Quarter Oil and Gas Lease Sale

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW Submitted via: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2035530/595/8021055/comment April 22, 2025 Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas State Office Branch of Fluid Minerals Attention: Hattie Payne 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 Subject: Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Third Quarter (September) Oil

Ahead of National Park Week, New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez & National Park Advocates Warn of Staffing Crisis

Ahead of National Park Week, New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez & National Park Advocates Warn of Staffing Crisis As Millions of Americans Head to Public Lands, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and Vet Voice Foundation Call Out Dangerous Staffing Cuts and Political Interference in Park Operations, Oppose Public Lands Sell-off Full Recording and Transcript

Our Nation’s National Parks Are Barreling Towards A Crisis

  As we head into the holiday weekend, and the start of National Park Week –  and with the busy summer season on the horizon –  the Trump Administration is trying to assure Americans that despite the administration’s cuts to staff and  attempts to gut resources, national parks are operating as normal. Don’t believe their

Coalition Supports Legislation to Establish Chesapeake National Recreation Area

Van Hollen, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Establish Chesapeake National Recreation Area   WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) renewed his effort in Congress to create a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The CNRA Act proposes to unite a series of voluntarily contributed park areas and iconic Bay properties under the operation of the National

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Applauds Withdrawal of Kathleen Sgamma’s Nomination to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management

  For Immediate Release April 10, 2025 Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Applauds Withdrawal of Kathleen Sgamma’s Nomination to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management  Group Urges the Administration to Nominate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Leader Who Will Appropriately Balance the Needs of America’s Public Lands Washington, DC — Moments before her

Coalition Joins Opposition to Nomination of Kathleen Sgamma for Director of the Bureau of Land Management

The Honorable Mike Lee Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Martin Heinrich Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Re: Oppose the Nomination of Kathleen Sgamma for Director of

Coalition Statement Responding to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:       Nick Voutsinos, nv********@****me.org   Tim Kauffman, ti**********@**ge.org  Erik Molvar, em*****@***************ds.org  Emily Thompson, Em************@********ps.org  Christian Hall, pr***@*********************rs.org Matt Corridoni, ma************@******ts.org Cade Cannedy, ca**********@***********es.org Naveed Shah, na****@***********se.us  April 8, 2025 Coalition Statement Responding to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Public Service Unions, Small Business, Veterans and Conservation Organizations, and Rule of Law Advocates Vow

Coalition Stands With Senators Heinrich and Hickenlooper in Defending Parks and Public Lands

Release Date: April 5, 2025 Media Contact: Emily Thompson   Coalition Stands With Senators Heinrich and Hickenlooper in Defending Parks and Public Lands During last night’s vote-a-rama, the Senate dismissed the bipartisan amendment from Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) opposing the sale of public lands to pay for the reconciliation bill. Emily

Coalition Speaks on Interior Secretary’s Order for National Parks To Be Open And Accessible

UPDATE | Interior Secretary Orders National Parks To Be Open And Accessible By Kurt Repanshek April 3, 2025 Editor’s note: This includes reaction from the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum late Thursday afternoon ordered that the National Park Service ensure that the National Park System “is properly staffed to support

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Announces  Emily Thompson As New Executive Director

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 3, 2025  Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Announces Emily Thompson As New Executive Director At This Critical Time For National Parks, Thompson Vows To Fight Funding And Staffing Cuts The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization made up of over 4,000 members,

Letter to Secretary Burgum on Concerns Over Transparency and Military at Big Bend NP

  April 3, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Secretary Burgum: We are writing to you today with a sense of urgency on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Association of National Park Rangers. Our organizations offer

NPT: Why Our Nation’s Most Vulnerable Species Are At Risk

By Rita Beamish March 29, 2025 President Trump’s zest for rapidly shrinking the government is triggering anxiety about conservation priorities that have been embedded for more than five decades in the country’s national parks and wildlife refuges. Amid the staffing whiplash — chaotic firings and reinstatement of rangers, scientists, and other civil servants — America’s

Coalition Comments on Parcels Under Consideration for Inclusion in the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Fourth Quarter Oil and Gas Lease Sale

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW Submitted on-line via: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2036978/595/8021033/comment April 1, 2025 Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas State Office Attention: Hattie Payne 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 Re:  Scoping comments on parcels under consideration for inclusion in the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Fourth Quarter (October) Oil and Gas Lease Sale (DOI-BLM-MT-0000-2025-0003-EA) To

Coalition Joins Comments on Proposed Supplement to Air Quality State Implementation Plan for South Carolina Regional Haze

March 27, 2025 Scott Bigleman Air Regulation and Data Analysis Section Bureau of Air Quality South Carolina Department of Environmental Services 2600 Bull St. Columbia, SC 29201 Electronic Filing via Email to Sc************@****sc.gov Re: Comments on Proposed Supplement to Air Quality State Implementation Plan for Regional Haze Dear Mr. Bigleman, The National Parks Conservation Association

Member Op-Ed: In The National Park Service, No Deep State, Only Deep Concern For The Future Of America’s Best Idea

  Op-Ed | In The National Park Service, No Deep State, Only Deep Concern For The Future Of America’s Best Idea By Sheridan Steele Firing federal employees without regard for the importance of their work or the consequence of their loss is not smart — or justified. Identifying and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse is

 Reinstatement of Probationary Employees is Welcome News, but Grave Concerns Linger

Release Date: March 20, 2025 Media Contact: Emily Thompson, Em************@********ps.org, 202-758-3936  Reinstatement of Probationary Employees is Welcome News, but Grave Concerns Linger Following a series of court orders, including a ruling in the Coalition’s joint lawsuit against the Office of Personnel Management for the illegal firing of probationary-status employees, the National Park Service (NPS) began

Coalition Comments on NPS Proposed Rule on Powered Micromobility Devices

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW Submitted on-line at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/16/2024-31578/powered- micromobility-devices#open-comment March 17, 2025 Jay Calhoun National Park Service Division of Regulations, Jurisdiction and Special Park Uses MS-2472 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Subject: NPS Proposed Rule on Powered Micromobility Devices, (RIN) 1024-AE79 Dear Mr. Calhoun: I am writing on behalf

Coalition Issues Statement on Continuing Resolution

  Release Date: March 14, 2025 Media Contact: Amy Fehir, am*********@********ps.org, 202-758-3936 Coalition Issues Statement on Continuing Resolution 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

Federal Court Orders Reinstatement of Fired Probationary Federal Employees 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact:       Nick Voutsinos, nv********@****me.org  Tim Kauffman, ti**********@**ge.org Erik Molvar, em*****@***************ds.org Emily Thompson, Em************@********ps.org Christian Hall, pr***@*********************rs.org Matt Corridoni, ma************@******ts.org Cade Cannedy, ca**********@***********es.org  March 13, 2025 Federal Court Orders Reinstatement of Fired Probationary Federal Employees  Judge rules workers were illegally fired by the Trump administration SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. District Court

Coalition Joins Protest on Expansion of Domestic Mining on Public Lands

March 12, 2025 Dear Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and the members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee: On behalf of our millions of members and supporters nationwide, the undersigned organizations write regarding the expansion of domestic mining on public lands and to share our concerns with the erosion of vital guardrails being proposed

Coalition Testifies Before House Committee on FLASH Act

Statement for the Record Bob Krumenaker Retired National Park Service Superintendent Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River US House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Federal Lands Legislative Hearing on HR 1820 (Rep. Ciscomani) Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland (FLASH) Act March 11, 2025 INTRODUCTION Good morning Chairman Tiffany,

Coalition Signs in Support of Protecting the Environment and Civil Servants FY2025 Appropriations Bills

The Honorable Susan Collins Chair Committee on Appropriations U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Patty Murray Vice Chair Committee on Appropriations U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Tom Cole Chair Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of

Coalition Joins Letter to Secretary Burgum Calling for Pause on Lease Terminations

March 7, 2025 Dear Secretary Burgum: On behalf of our members, supporters, and volunteer stewards, we write to share concerns regarding the nationwide termination of federal lease arrangements by the Department of the Interior. Several lease terminations published earlier this week will eliminate visitor centers and other facilities valued by the American public. Additionally, some

Coalition Participates in Senate Public Lands Round Table

United States Senate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2025 Contact: Justin Krakoff/Maggie Sunstrum (Merkley) – 202-224-3753 Contact: Caty Payette (Heinrich) – 202-224-5521 Contact: Matthew Felling (King) – 202-257-7345 Senators Merkley, Heinrich, King Join Illegally Fired Federal Workers to Stress Dangers of Public Lands Staffing Shortages ***VIDEO FROM ROUNDTABLE HERE*** Washington, D.C. – Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR),

NPS Visitation Hit Record High in 2024 While the Current Administration Continues to Slash Jobs

  NPS Visitation Hit Record High in 2024 While the Current Administration Continues to Slash Jobs The National Park Service (NPS) reported a record 331.9 million recreation visits in calendar year 2024, an increase of 6.36 million recreation visits from 2023. “This is a clear indication of how much Americans love their national parks,” said

Coalition Joins NY Historic Preservation Organizations Speaking Out Against Rewriting of History

On February 13, the National Park Service removed all instances of the words Transgender and Queer from the Stonewall National Monument website, as well as other sites and resources referencing LGBTQ+ history. In 1999, Stonewall was the first site in the country listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance to LGBTQ+

The Coalition and Association of National Park Rangers Protest Termination of Probationary NPS Employees

The Honorable Jessica Bowron Acting Director National Park Service SENT VIA EMAIL Dear Acting NPS Director Bowron, As the CEOs of our respective non-profit organizations, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Association of National Park Rangers, we have been closely following the recent decision to terminate probationary employees from the NPS. Our

Coalition Joins 495 Groups Protesting Recent Mass Firing of Federal Employees Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service and the National Park Service

February 28, 2025 United States Senators and Representatives, On behalf of our members, supporters, and volunteer stewards, we write with significant concerns regarding the recent mass firing of federal employees still within their probationary periods, particularly those individuals who had been employed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS),

Coalition Comments on Parcels for Inclusion in the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Third Quarter Oil and Gas Lease Sale

February 28, 2025 Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas State Office Attention: Hattie Payne 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 Subject: Scoping comments on parcels under consideration for inclusion in the BLM Montana-Dakotas 2025 Third Quarter (September) Oil and Gas Lease Sale (DOI-BLM-MT-0000-2025-0001-EA)  To whom it may concern: Thank you for the opportunity to submit these

Federal Court Finds Firing of Probationary Federal Employees Illegal

February 27, 2025 Federal Court Finds Firing of Probationary Federal Employees Illegal Judge Alsup calls probationary federal employees “the lifeblood of our government” SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, presided over by Judge William H. Alsup, granted a temporary restraining order against the Office of Personnel Management

Member Op-Ed: They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know

They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know opening the Going to-the- Sun Road, clearing trails, opening backcountry sites and facilities and preparing visitor centers may be delayed BY CHIP WEBER & JEFF MOW FEBRUARY 25, 2025 Much has been written and broadcast recently regarding the impacts of the Trump administration and particularly the Department of

Coalition Joins Over 260 Groups in Opposition to House Budget Resolution

United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 February 24, 2025 Dear Representatives, As you prepare to take up a budget resolution as the first step in the reconciliation process, our organizations from the democracy, good government, labor, immigration, energy, environment, tax, budget, health, gender justice, human needs and other sectors representing millions of people

Coalition Joins Group of Unions, Small Businesses, Veterans, and Conservation Organizations and Seeks Injunction to Prevent Unlawful Firings

Coalition of Unions, Small Businesses, Veterans, and Conservation Organizations Seek Injunction to Prevent Unlawful Firings Amended Complaint also Targets Illegal “Five Things” Email February 24, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – In their lawsuit attempting to block the unlawful mass terminations of probationary federal employees, some of the nation’s largest and most influential public service unions,

Coalition Condemns Weekend Chaos Caused by Trump Administration

    Coalition Condemns Weekend Chaos Caused by Trump Administration In response to an email sent to federal employees on Saturday, which demanded that federal workers summarize their accomplishments for the week, and additional messaging that warned that “failure to respond will be taken as resignation,” Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the

Coalition Joins Amicus Brief to Protect Wilderness Battlefield

Washington, DC – Today, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks filed a joint amicus brief, accompanied by a motion for leave to file such brief, in a pivotal legal challenge intended to protect Wilderness Battlefield, an area of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National

Coalition Supports Maryland Bill HB-741 – Phase-Out Lead Ammunition

February 19, 2025 The Honorable Marc Korman, Chair Environment & Transportation Committee 250 Taylor House Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Re: HB 741 – Hunting – Nonlead Ammunition, et al., FAVORABLE Dear Chairman Korman, Vice Chair Boyce and Members of the Committee: Thank you for this opportunity to weigh in on this important issue on behalf

Coalition Supports EPA’s Proposed Disapproval of West Virginia’s Regional Haze Plan

Allegheny County Clean Air Now (ACCAN) * Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance Appalachian Mountain Advocates * Appalachian Voices * Breathe Project Carnegie Mellon University, CREATE Lab * Center for Coalfield Justice Christians For The Mountains * Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Eight Rivers Council * Elks Run Watershed Group Greenbrier River Watershed Association, Inc. * National

Coalition Joins 247 Organizations Opposing Bills Which Would Effectively Repeal the Antiquities Act of 1906

RE: Oppose S.220/H.R.521, which would effectively repeal the Antiquities Act of 1906 Dear Senators and Members of Congress, On behalf of the 247 undersigned organizations and our millions of members across the country, we write to strongly urge you to OPPOSE any legislative attempts to repeal or undermine the Antiquities Act, including S.220/H.R.521 recently introduced

USA Today: How National Park Service layoffs could stretch some parks to their limits

How National Park Service layoffs could stretch some parks to their limits By Eve Chen National parks have not been spared in the wave of federal government layoffs, and that could impact park visits heading into their busy season. “We could be putting several park units in very bad, sticky situations where they can’t manage

NPT: One-Thousand National Park Service Staff Fired, Seasonal Hiring Resuming

UPDATE | One-Thousand National Park Service Staff Fired, Seasonal Hiring Resuming By Kurt Repanshek February 14, 2025 Editor’s note: This updates with additional comment from a recently retired National Park Service division chief, a union official, and New Mexico’s congressional delegation. This is a developing story, be sure to check back for more updates. One-thousand

Shortsighted Layoffs Threaten Parks and Visitor Experience

Release Date: February 14, 2025 Media Contact: Amy Gilbert Fehir, Am*********@********ps.org, (202) 819-8622 Coalition: Shortsighted Layoffs Threaten Parks and Visitor Experience “We are Losing the Future Leaders of the NPS” As the current Administration fires probationary employees and reinstates seasonal job offers, Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s

Coalition Joins Comments on Draft Environmental Plans to Protect the Old Spanish National Historic Trail

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks Western Watersheds Project Basin and Range Watch and John W. Hiscock February 13, 2025 Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Southern Nevada District Las Vegas Field Office 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 Comments – Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Coalition Joins Request to Stop the Lava Ridge Wind Project to Protect the Viewshed of Minidoka National Historic Site

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chair Subcommittee on Interior & Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Jeff Merkley Ranking Member Subcommittee on Interior & Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Merkley: On behalf of our respective organizations, we

SFGATE.com: U.S. senators issue dire warning for national parks

U.S. senators issue dire warning for national parks By Ashley Harrell, National Parks Bureau Chief Feb 7, 2025 Twenty-two democratic and independent U.S. senators sent a letter Friday morning to newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum imploring him to reconsider drastic measures taken by the Trump administration to reduce the workforce of

Coalition Supports Letter Sent to Secretary Burgum on NPS Staffing Concerns

Coalition Supports Letter Sent to Secretary Burgum on NPS Staffing Concerns   The Coalition issued a statement of support for a letter sent today, calling on Secretary Burgum to, “immediately reissue seasonal employment offers for the National Park Service, officially rescind damaging and short-sighted deferred resignation and early retirement offers, and to instead work to

Coalition Speaks in Defense of Parks and Public Lands

A series of secretarial orders were recently issued, including Secretarial Order 3418 “Unleashing American Energy,” which mandates that the Department of the Interior launch an initial review of all lands withdrawn from fossil fuel and mining development, including hundreds of our national monuments. Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect

Coalition Joins Comments on the New Mexico BLM 2025 Third Quarter Competitive Oil & Gas Lease Sale Draft EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILD February 5, 2025 SUBMITTED VIA E-PLANNING Melanie Barnes State Director Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico (505) 954-2222 Project Contact: Cody Mccullah cm*******@*lm.gov Re: Comments on the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management 2025 Third Quarter Competitive Oil &

Comments on EPA’s Proposed Response to California’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan

Comments submitted via regulations.gov: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/EPA-R09-OAR-2024-0459-0001   February 3, 2025   Subject: Comments on EPA’s Proposed Response to California’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan   Dear Acting Regional Director Cheree Peterson and Ms. Lawrence:   We are writing on behalf of more than 3,200 members of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition), who collectively

National Parks at Risk: The Impact of Federal Job Cuts

Release Date: January 31, 2025 Media Contact: Emily Thompson, Em************@********ps.org, 202-758-3936 National Parks at Risk: The Impact of Federal Job Cuts As the current Administration moves to eliminate federal jobs, Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement: “Our members represent more than 50,000

Coalition Speaks with LA Times: As Trump cuts federal jobs, even national parks are on the chopping block

As Trump cuts federal jobs, even national parks are on the chopping block By Jack Dolan LA Times Staff Writer Jan. 30, 2025 3 AM PT As the Trump administration rushes to cut spending and eliminate federal jobs, even the people who work at the national parks — among the country’s most beloved and least politicized

Coalition Joins Comments Submitted to the EPA on Florida Regional Haze

January 27, 2025 Pearlene Williams-Miles Multi-Air Pollutant Coordination Section Air Planning and Implementation Branch Air and Radiation Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 61 Forsyth Street SW Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960 Electronic Filing via Regulations.gov Re: Comments on Proposed Air Plan Approval; Florida; Second Period Regional Haze Plan [EPA Docket No. EPA–R04–OAR–2021–0930] Dear Ms. Williams-Miles,

Coalition Joins Comments on Proposed Air Plan Approval for Michigan and Minnesota

The Environmental Protection Agency must revise its proposed action to address the fundamental flaws identified in our comments. This includes completing the necessary Best Available Retrofit Technology analyses by assessing the proposed new emission limits and the control train highlighted in these comments. The agency must also renotice and promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan that

Coalition Joins Comments on the Wyoming BLM 2025 Second Quarter Competitive Oil & Gas Lease Sale Draft EA

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY AUDUBON ROCKIES COALITION TO PROTECT AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILD WYOMING OUTDOOR COUNCIL January 17, 2025 SUBMITTED VIA E-PLANNING Andrew Archuleta State Director Wyoming Bureau of Land Management 5353 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne, WY 82009 Project Contacts: Lindsay Abercrombie la**********@*lm.gov (307) 332-8429 Allen Stegeman as*******@*lm.gov (307) 775-6259 Erik Norelius

Coalition Defends Antiquities Act

Release Date: January 17, 2024 Media Contact: Emily Thompson, Em************@********ps.org, 202-758-3936  Coalition Defends Antiquities Act Today, U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Mark Amodei (NV-02) introduced legislation that would strip presidential authority to designate national monuments under the Antiquities Act. Phil Francis, Chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, issued the following statement:

Coalition Applauds Designation of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments

Release Date: January 7, 2025 Media Contact: Emily Thompson Em************@********ps.org 202-758-3936 Coalition Applauds Designation of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments Today, President Biden used his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, both located in California. Following the announcement, Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive