National Park Service layoffs: justified or unwarranted?

Many of the high lakes that Washington State is so well known for may become at risk due to the recent service worker firings. Trails may not be able to receive necessary maintenance leaving hikers at risk. “The increase of visitors to the Enchantments and subsequent search and rescues, which the Sheriff’s Office is legally obligated to handle, is another area of concern as these operations are logistically and financially challenging,” said Chelan County Sherriff Mike Morrison.  Photo credit: Arlo Gibbs 

Featuring towering mountains, rushing rivers, daunting canyons, and vast lakes, the United States is known for its natural beauty and breathtaking National Parks. The employees of the Park Service work to protect, preserve, restore, and sustain this beauty for future generations. Within recent weeks, the Trump administration has made controversial and impactful changes within the National Park Service. On February 14, roughly 1,000 service workers were laid off in efforts to shrink the size of the national government and reduce government spending. 

While Americans have yet to see the full effect of these layoffs, these changes will affect the country in unprecedented ways. According to the National Park Service website, “Approximately 20,000 strong, the uncommon men and women of the National Park Service share a common trait: a passion for caring for the nation's special places and sharing their stories.” With respect to these numbers, approximately 5% of the Nations workers have been lost. The effects of the mass firing will be felt acutely across the nation, with early impacts - cuts to national park hours, trail and visitor center closures, and park tour cancellations - already being strongly felt. Many more unknown impacts are likely to follow. 

Washington State is regarded as one of the natural focal points of the United States. The state’s economy is heavily reliant on the outdoor recreation economy, with the industry holding a net value upwards of $20 billion. The industry is set up to take a huge hit, as stated by the Washington Trails Association: “This move is short-sighted, unsustainable and leaves our public lands unsafe and under-resourced as outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity.”  

Locally, the impacts exceed those of just the Forest Service, as the repercussions put additional pressure on the local sheriff's office.

Chelan County Sherriff Mike Morrison explained what these cuts will mean for local law enforcement: “We will clearly see an uptick in visitors to these lands as the message has been clear no federal authorities will be available to do their jobs. With this vacancy comes a perceived sense that it is open for all which will increase workloads and costs without adequate federal support. This could lead to strained resources which has the potential of impacting other services provided by our office county wide.”  

With these shifts of responsibility, some duties will have to be abandoned, causing negative consequences sure to be felt across the county. It's likely that without employees to maintain and open trails, some may become inaccessible. The lack of maintenance could result in closures or unsafe conditions. The North Shore Trail of Lake Chelan is one such trail, as there may be no employees available to conduct the required repairs, which could have a devastating impact on the community of Stehekin. 

While many have expressed frustration at these firings, there were justifiable reasons why these changes were implemented. The firings are a part of a larger scale plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce led by President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk. Billions of taxpayer dollars are spent annually on programs within the government that some may see as “not necessary” or as not conforming to the wants and needs of the American people or in the best interests of the country. These government firings help reduce “unneeded spending” and conserve national funds. 

While the need for budget reductions is a valid consideration, the sacrifices made are likely to cause far-reaching negative consequences. National parks are more than just tourist attractions; they are a vital part of the country’s identity, economy, and a vital resource for the people of the country. Stripping the National Park Service of essential staff and resources is a measure that is not worth the repercussions.