Hey folks,

As you may have heard, NPS has been asked to send staff to the border.  The fun never stops.

Here is our press release on the issue:  https://www.npca.org/articles/1831-already-short-staffed-park-service-asked-to-support-border-patrol-security

We’re happy to field press or other inquiries about this issue so send them our way as needed.  It’s becoming a whole THING.  I’ve cc’d Christina Hazard here, who is our staff lead.  Feel free to ping her on this issue.

And, if helpful, here are a few talking points:

• As we near the busiest season for many of our national parks, the administration’s plan to take law enforcement rangers away from already understaffed and underfunded parks is irresponsible.
  • Parks across the country are facing an 11 percent reduction in staff while also experiencing a 19 percent increase in visitation.
  • It remains unclear how long the Interior Department will continue to relocate National Park Service personnel to the southern border. These reassignments could impact national parks and visitor experience for weeks or even months.

• Rather than an unwarranted, disruptive plan that could potentially impact national parks and visitors, the administration should properly invest in the long-term staffing needs of our national parks both on the border and nationwide.
  • It is unclear if there is an urgent need, such as a clear threat to park visitors or irreplaceable resources, that necessitates the administration's transfer of park personnel to guard our borders rather than relying on the agency specifically tasked with border security.
  • Concerns about law enforcement needs at border parks could be addressed through the annual appropriations process. However, the administration’s FY19 budget request included a $31 million cut to “Park Protection,” which is equivalent to a reduction of 269 fulltime staff tasked with law enforcement, health and safety across the national park system.

• At a time when illegal immigration across the southern border remains low and the most common way to smuggle drugs is through the official Ports of Entry, DOI has not provided justification for an increase in force at these specific parks and at this specific time.
  • Additionally, while the National Park Service does have the authority to transfer staff to help deal with emergency situations, such as responding to the recent storm recovery, DOI has not demonstrated a need for this format of immediate, short-term details for NPS personnel.

Thanks,

Ani

---

Ani Kame’enui, Legislative Director

National Parks Conservation Association

(o) 202-454-3391 | (m) 202-360-6437