April Thomas, 206.321.3850, april.thomas@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C., -- Today, the Department of Interior announced that despite the government shutdown, national parks would remain open to visitors through the weekend without staffing. Because of the lack of staffing, early reports indicate that parks will likely be open without the ability to collect admissions fees, bathrooms, campgrounds, trash collection or other basic services.
In response, Sierra Club Associate Director of the Outdoors Campaign, Jackie Ostfeld, released the following statement:
“The reality is that our parks can’t operate without the Park Service. Keeping them open without staff is dangerous for both visitors and for the delicate ecosystems in our parks. Risking both visitors and important cultural sites to win political points is the height of irresponsibility. But it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see this administration put our parks at risk - after all, this is the same administration that wants to double entrance fees and shut out low-income families from our national parks, all while proposing massive budget cuts to the National Park Service.
“Trump may have escaped a few bad headlines today by keeping parks open through this irresponsible and damaging government shutdown, but the millions of people who love and enjoy our national parks every day won’t forget all the damage done to our public lands by this administration.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.