NPS Partially Unfrozen | NHA Funding | ARC Update
The Washington Post is reporting the National Park Service has been granted an exemption from the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze for some of its seasonal employees. That is good news for the summer travel season when more than 100 American and international tourists are expected to visit the national parks. The article can be read here.
The approval comes after 22 Democratic Senators signed a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging him to exempt all NPS seasonal employees and to rescind the buyout offers to NPS staff as “Gutting staffing at national park units will devastate local “gateway” communities where parks generate significant economic activity.” The article has a link to the letter if you would like to see if your Senator signed.
More than 2,000 season and permanent job offers were rescinded in the wake of the federal hiring freeze executive order and another 1,700 positions were identified as in their probationary period and subject to termination. Since 2010 NPS staff in the parks has declined by 20% while experiencing a 16% increase in visitation. The National Parks Conservation Association has draft talking points on the impact of the hiring freeze for anyone who wants to weigh in with their congressional representatives
Last week, I attended the Alliance of National Heritage Areas legislative conference in DC and has some great conversations. I am happy to report that their funding freeze has been lifted and they are accessing and receiving funding from NPS. As NHA funding is set through the congressional appropriations process they should not have been subjected to the freeze on federal grants. But they were, which caused a lot of heartburn for these community non-profits. I will continue to monitor and report on NHA funding.
Some good news to come out of the Alliance meeting is that Gail Manchin continues to serve as the Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). To date, the Trump Administration has not made replacing her a high priority, which is terrific news as she has been a good friend to tourism communities. Currently, the ARC lobby has a large display one the arts and cultural traditions showcased by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
Things are moving quickly in DC, so if you have questions or thoughts, please post them in a comment. Chances are good if you are wondering about, so are other folks in this network.