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The CPANP Logo

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.
 
These actions include:
  • An ongoing hiring freeze on permanent employees and delayed seasonal hiring.
  • The firing of 1,000 National Park Service probationary employees which caused chaos and confusion.
  • The loss of as much as 13% of National Park Service staff due to buyouts, deferred resignations, and retirement incentives.
Despite these massive reductions, an April 3 order from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum required all parks to remain “open and accessible,” ignoring the realities of safely managing our parks. In a response letter to the order, nearly every living former National Park Service Director expressed deep concern to Secretary Burgum – calling the order “contradictory with the law and the intent of Congress.”
 
On top of this, the President’s budget, which Secretary Burgum will testify about, would be the largest cut ever to the National Park Service and exacerbate an already deeply problematic and dangerous situation. According to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the president’s proposed budget cuts could shutter at least 350 national park sites across the country – effectively more than 75% of our national park system.
 
Last year saw record numbers of visitors to our national parks. As summer begins and visitors from all over the world once again head to the parks – and with a Reduction in Force (RIF) looming – the true impact of this administration’s devastating cuts could come to light. Secretary Burgum should now have to answer for these decisions in front of Congress.
 
Given this, here are six key questions Congress should ask the Secretary this week:
 

1. The President’s budget could shutter 350 national parks sites across the country, how is this in America’s best interest?

The President’s budget would potentially force states to provide funding for parks that is currently provided by the federal government. Most states are already fiscally stretched and would be unable to provide the necessary funding, forcing closures and drastic impacts on the gateway communities that rely on the parks for jobs and economic growth. When the National Parks budget makes up less than 1% of the federal budget but brings in $15 to the American economy for every $1, how does this make sense?

2. Who’s in charge – you or DOGE?

Every other department that DOGE has interfered with has struggled to perform their most basic duties after the cuts. Is Secretary Burgum letting them do the same to the National Park Service?

3. Will you reverse the staff cuts and reorganization imposed on the park service after a judge ruled it likely unlawful?

A District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order, ruling the Administration’s reorganization of the government to be likely unlawful, violating the separation of powers principles. Secretary Burgum has also not publicly released a Reorganization and Reduction in Force Plan (ARRP), nor provided a copy to Congress for approval. Yet, the RIF is underway.

4. How can you justify Secretarial Order 3426 when it violates the core purpose of our National Park Service?

Nearly every living National Park Service Director from both Republican and Democratic presidents and eight deputy directors came together to call the Order contradictory to law and the intent of Congress.

5. Will you allow the privatization of public lands?

The Administration and some members of Congress have put forward proposals to sell off public lands, transfer ownership to states, and dismantle national monuments – opening them up for development in a grave threat to our natural and cultural resources.

6. Given the cuts, how can you ensure visitors to parks will be safe and have full access to all parks and amenities?

According to the National Park Service, a record-breaking 331 million people visited national parks in 2024. Almost two dozen national parks broke visitation records in 2023. Now there are fewer park rangers to help ensure visitors have a safe and memorable experience, facilities remain open, and park resources are protected.