Might Be Rough Season For NPS and Forest Service

[Oldgator73]

NPS
That brings to at least 1,700 the number of year-round permanent staff members that the service — arguably America's most beloved federal agency — has lost this month. The number equates to roughly 9% of the agency's workforce.

In addition, remaining staff members have been banned from traveling for work purposes — unless it’s to support national security or immigration enforcement — and some staffers have found that the credit cards they use to purchase gas for service vehicles and basic supplies such as toilet paper for the restrooms have been deactivated, according to interviews with Park Service employees and internal documents shared with The Times. It's not clear how long those measures will be in place.

If the cuts aren’t restored, “this just isn’t going to be the same Park Service,” said Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs for the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Assn. “All of these places are so beautiful and have been so well-protected for so long; continuing to chip away at the staff is illogical.”



U.S. Forest Service Director Randy Moore wrote in his staff email that the past several weeks have been “incredibly difficult” due to the mass layoffs, which have led to 3,400 Forest Service employees — or 10 percent of agency staff — being fired.

 

[UTTransplant]

Some national parks and monuments have already announced reduced visitor center hours and closures (at day use locations). Better check the website for each park you might be interested in to see current conditions just before arrival. Things are changing rapidly, so keep on looking.

 

[LarsMac]

There are some legal measures being taken to argue the many such moves are outside to realm of constitutional provisions. It may change again before we get to Summer.

I have no intention of approaching the politics of the thing, here. Just sayin'

 

[jymbee]

i have no intention of approaching the politics of the thing, here.

Same here. But just a matter of time I expect...

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Actually, the NPS has announced that the seasonal hires for this year will exceed the number from last year.

The NPS is just one of many government agencies under review for the number of persons employed. I'm sure there is a lot of deadwood (pun intended) in its large bureaucracy like probably every government agency.

As far as credit card use, travel, and the curtailment of other expenses, I see nothing wrong with
reigning in spending for a pause while a review of where the money is going takes place. Every business in the country would do the same thing. But, because these are close to the heart agencies such as the NPS, or pick your favorite agency, people are crying foul stirred up by the media. I bet most of us complain about some of the projects our local governments take on wondering if they're nuts.

I find it refreshing that how our government operates is now under a microscope. For too long its "business" has gone unchecked wasting billions of our tax dollars funding this, that, and who's favorite for personal gain, is having the covers pulled off.

 

[old RV guy]

Actually, the NPS has announced that the seasonal hires for this year will exceed the number from last year.

The NPS is just one of many government agencies under review for the number of persons employed. I'm sure there is a lot of deadwood (pun intended) in its large bureaucracy like probably every government agency.

As far as credit card use, travel, and the curtailment of other expenses, I see nothing wrong with
reigning in spending for a pause while a review of where the money is going takes place. Every business in the country would do the same thing. But, because these are close to the heart agencies such as the NPS, or pick your favorite agency, people are crying foul stirred up by the media. I bet most of us complain about some of the projects our local governments take on wondering if they're nuts.

I find it refreshing that how our government operates is now under a microscope. For too long its "business" has gone unchecked wasting billions of our tax dollars funding this, that, and who's favorite for personal gain, is having the covers pulled off.

For what opinions are worth.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Actually, the NPS has announced that the seasonal hires for this year will exceed the number from last year.

The NPS is just one of many government agencies under review for the number of persons employed. I'm sure there is a lot of deadwood (pun intended) in its large bureaucracy like probably every government agency.

As far as credit card use, travel, and the curtailment of other expenses, I see nothing wrong with
reigning in spending for a pause while a review of where the money is going takes place. Every business in the country would do the same thing. But, because these are close to the heart agencies such as the NPS, or pick your favorite agency, people are crying foul stirred up by the media. I bet most of us complain about some of the projects our local governments take on wondering if they're nuts.

I find it refreshing that how our government operates is now under a microscope. For too long its "business" has gone unchecked wasting billions of our tax dollars funding this, that, and who's favorite for personal gain, is having the covers pulled off.

The government is totally different than any business. Money is allocated to the various departments by Congress. If we don't like how it's being spent, start there.

 

[Cmprman]

Wait until all the National parks get decimated with vandalism from lack of staffing.

 

[Babe2201]

For what opinions are worth.

Some people don't care for wasteful spending.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Maybe depends on what you consider "wasteful"?

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

The government is totally different than any business. Money is allocated to the various departments by Congress.

Yes, but it's how the money is being spent.

Wait until all the National parks get decimated with vandalism from lack of staffing.

Read post 5, first sentence

Maybe depends on what you consider "wasteful"?

I believe that is what is being reviewed. My family thinks my DW and I RV'ing is wasteful spending, but we tend to disagree.

 

[Babe2201]

Maybe depends on what you consider "wasteful"?

You are absolutely right. I consider employing 10 people to do what 7 people can wasteful. I am not sure that is what is happening in this situation or not.

 

[Babe2201]

Wait until all the National parks get decimated with vandalism from lack of staffing.

Or wait until none of that happens.

 

[Babe2201]

There are some legal measures being taken to argue the many such moves are outside to realm of constitutional provisions. It may change again before we get to Summer.

I have no intention of approaching the politics of the thing, here. Just sayin'

To be honest the post itself is political. Just sayin.

 

[msw3113]

Aside from the astounding beauty found in our country, at each National Park we've visited we're struck by these observations:
1) that we, through our government, own these areas that have been set aside for everyone to enjoy;
2) they're staffed by competent personnel who are eager to share their specialized knowledge so that visitors may learn more about the geology, wildlife, history, etc. of each park;
3) they're respectably well maintained, especially given the recently increased traffic.

We are dismayed to think that the NP experience will suffer from ill-considered funding cuts.

 

[rvlifer]

I suspect the nfs will be the least of our problems. In corporate america i have seen many a slash and burn cost cutting effort cost more than they saved. Lawsuits and having to rehire people is very expensive. I would consider it wasteful spending. Pissing off long term friends and allies doesnt seem prudent to our long term interests.

 

[UTTransplant]

To be honest the post itself is political. Just sayin.

It is not political to say that National Parks and Monuments are reducing hours and access; it is fact. If someone believes an agency of the government is being inefficiently run or allowing fraud and waste, the correct response would be to beef up the Inspector General’s office to increase oversight and audits. Umm, who got cut early in the cycle? And to fire folks “for cause” saying they all uniformly not meeting expectations when their performance reviews say exactly the opposite would generate a nice collection of lawsuits in the private world.

 

[rvlifer]

Seems to me it would be more effective to ask the managers what all their employees did last week and replace the ones that cant answer. If they dont know they arnt really managing their folks

 

[DutchmenSport]

Well, maybe it's time some of you folks S*** or get off the pot! YOU, me, or no one can stop what our political system is doing. If paid employees are being terminated at such places as our National Forests and National Parks, then NOW is the time for YOU.... yes ... YOU who are complaining ... to step forward and volunteer your time and effort.

Put some legs to where your mouth is and do something to help. Want to keep the parks and sites available for everyone, then volunteer your time and effort to keep things running.

I volunteer at a State Historic Site in Louisiana. I'm there almost year round now. I do it because I believe in the park system and I believe it's important that the history and culture not be lost. They need help desperately and "state" can go only so far. They depend upon the "volunteer staff" who give of their time, effort, and even money to keep the doors open for everyone.

So.... either shut up or put up and stop whining. Volunteer your time if you really believe the parks are worth while to keep open and need to be maintained and kept beautiful for everyone!

Enough said .... I'm NOT sorry for getting so mad here.... if you don't do anything to help keep things open, then stop complaining!

 

[rvlifer]

Well, maybe it's time some of you folks S*** or get off the pot! YOU, me, or no one can stop what our political system is doing. If paid employees are being terminated at such places as our National Forests and National Parks, then NOW is the time for YOU.... yes ... YOU who are complaining ... to step forward and volunteer your time and effort.

Put some legs to where your mouth is and do something to help. Want to keep the parks and sites available for everyone, then volunteer your time and effort to keep things running.

I volunteer at a State Historic Site in Louisiana. I'm there almost year round now. I do it because I believe in the park system and I believe it's important that the history and culture not be lost. They need help desperately and "state" can go only so far. They depend upon the "volunteer staff" who give of their time, effort, and even money to keep the doors open for everyone.

So.... either shut up or put up and stop whining. Volunteer your time if you really believe the parks are worth while to keep open and need to be maintained and kept beautiful for everyone!

Enough said .... I'm NOT sorry for getting so mad here.... if you don't do anything to help keep things open, then stop complaining!

many republicans are not speaking out for fear of retribution. Our job is to vote and if you did that you earned the right to speak out.

Sometimes things have to break before people wake up and they get fixed. The big question is always how bad things will get before that happens.