Billy Berler, billy.berler@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newly leaked documents reveal a Trump administration plan to overhaul the National Park Service and centralize authority over staffing, budgets, and management decisions under designated hub superintendents.
The proposal follows the loss of nearly a quarter of the Park Service’s permanent full-time staff since Trump returned to office. The Washington Sun reported that the plan was developed without notifying Congress. Although the documents say layoffs are not anticipated, accompanying talking points instruct officials to avoid making promises about staffing.
Jackie Ostfeld, Director of the Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All Campaign, released the following statement:
“After pushing out nearly a quarter of permanent Park Service staff and blocking millions of dollars for critical park projects, the Trump administration is now trying to seize greater control over how our national parks are managed. This secretive plan would strip authority from the people who know these places best and further weaken the Park Service’s ability to protect our parks and serve the public. Congress must investigate this plan and hold this administration accountable.”
The Washington Post recently reported that the Interior Department separately blocked more than 130 National Park Service agreements representing at least $25 million in funding that parks and their partners had already secured. Agreements in the “Youth and veteran conservation corps” category were hit hardest, with 50 blocked agreements totaling nearly $8 million. The projects would have supported young people and veterans working in national parks through internships, training, and on-the-ground conservation work.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.