National Park Service Faces Pressure to Maintain Access Amid Potential Government Shutdown, Balancing Security and Economy Concerns.

The National Park Service is facing pressure from both sides to keep public access to all national parks open during the federal government shutdowns. Former NPS Director Jon Jarvis said the shutdown was the best way to protect them from vandals at a time when most NPS employees had to be furloughed. Former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt opted for a different approach during a 35-day shutdown that began in December 2018 and stretched into 2019, making it the longest in history. With another government shutdown appearing increasingly likely this weekend, NPS has yet to disclose how it would handle another lapse in appropriations. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, warned that a government shutdown would cost the nation’s travel economy $140 million per day. John Barrasso, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged NPS to follow Bernhardt’s lead from the last shutdown and allow parks to use fee money to remain open.