As federal agencies face budget cuts, mass layoffs are underway at the US Forest Service and National Park Service, threatening the safety and maintenance of America’s national parks.
The US Forest Service is firing approximately 3,400 recent hires, while the National Park Service is terminating about 1,000 workers. These terminations are a result of Donald Trump‘s push to cut federal spending and bureaucracy.
Donald Trump is an American businessman, television personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, 'The Donald' rose to fame with his business ventures and reality TV show 'The Apprentice'. He entered politics in 2015, running for the Republican presidential nomination and winning the election in a surprise upset.
During his presidency, Trump implemented policies such as tax cuts and deregulation, but his term was marked by controversy over issues like immigration, healthcare, and his personal conduct.
Impact on National Parks
Critics warn that visitors to national parks could face overflowing trash, uncleaned bathrooms, and fewer rangers to provide guidance. The cuts will affect sites such as the Appalachian trail, ‘Yellowstone,’ the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr, and the Sequoia national forest.
The National Park Service has seen a significant increase in visits over the past year, with 325 million visitors in 2023 alone. However, staffing levels have not kept pace with this demand. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) warns that these cuts will have devastating consequences for parks and communities.
Wildfire Prevention Efforts Impacted
The federal funding freeze is also affecting programs meant to mitigate wildfire risk in western states. This comes just a month after devastating blazes in Los Angeles, which are expected to be the costliest in US history.
Wildfires can be devastating to communities and ecosystems.
To prevent them, it's essential to have a multi-faceted approach.
Creating defensible spaces around homes by clearing flammable vegetation is crucial.
Regular maintenance of equipment such as lawn mowers and chainsaws also reduces the risk of accidental ignition.
Additionally, having a fire-safe kit on hand with items like 'fire extinguishers' and emergency phone chargers can help in case of an emergency.
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center, most wildfires are caused by human activity, making prevention efforts critical.
The Oregon-based Lomakatsi Restoration Project non-profit has seen its contracts with federal agencies frozen due to the funding freeze. The project’s executive director, Marko Bey, stated that this will impact more than 30 separate grants and agreements.
Senate Democrats Call for Action
Senate Democrats have called on the administration to unlock fire-mitigation funding. They have also asked interior and agriculture department leadership to exempt seasonal firefighters from a broad federal hiring freeze.
Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, an advocacy group for federal firefighters, has expressed concern that these cuts will exacerbate existing recruitment and retention problems within the agencies.
- theguardian.com | US Forest Service and National Park Service to fire thousands of workers
