Some U.S. States Prepare to Fund National Parks If Government Shuts Down

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As we head into the weekend, the future of the National Park Service (NPS) is in question with a looming government shutdown. If Congress cannot agree by Sunday, the government will shut down, and agencies like the NPS will lose funding. However, many states that rely heavily on tourists to visit national parks have announced plans to continue welcoming guests.

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There is no official plan for what happens to national parks if there is a shutdown. In past shutdowns, officials have decided to both keep the parks gated closed and remain open.

The argument against keeping them open was front and center in 2019 when some parks saw significant damage to resources and other issues without park staff. Those against closing the parks worry about the economic side for states and nearby communities, which happened in 2013. However, there has been no official decision ahead of this weekend.

State Funding for National Parks

Due to growing concerns, states like Utah and Arizona are going ahead with plans to keep the parks open. Last year, the NPS brought more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy. For states full of parks like Utah or for big-name destinations like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, that money is a dramatic part of the states’ economy.

Media reports that Arizona and Utah will use their state funds to continue supporting the parks.

Other states like Colorado are looking for ways to continue funding parks like Rocky Mountain National Park.

Colorado loves its natural beauty, and I will help ensure national parks and federal lands remain open through a potential shutdown and protect Colorado from the damage closing the gardens would have. I urge the federal government to reach an agreement.https://t.co/qnpcf1W0u1 pic.twitter.com/cUTreM2B31

— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) September 29, 2023

However, some western states like Washington and California have stated they will not continue to fund their national parks due to budgetary reasons.

Navigating what to do with national parks will ultimately be a decision for Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. Still, in the past, some park superintendents have decided to close, like Joshua Tree National Park, after seeing extensive damage during the 2019 shutdown.

Source: https://outdoors.com/some-u-s-states-prepare-to-fund-national-parks-if-government-shuts-down/