Since January, 24% of National Park Service staff have either been fired or have quit. In a recent spreadsheet prepared by the National Park Service (NPS) there is more detail about which parks have been most impacted. All NPS facilities were supposed to submit reports by the last week of July on the funding cuts impact, but many did not comply. However, those that did give a mixed view of the impact of the cuts. I want to take a look at the Civil War and Reconstruction sites.
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace says that with the loss of two staff members who cannot be replaced due to the hiring freeze, Ranger-guided tours are no longer offered to school groups.
Andersonville reports no current issues.
Andrew Johnson NHP reports that “due to resignation of staff” guided tours have stopped on Mondays and Tuesdays of the presidents homestead.
Antietam National Battlefield says that its has reduced landscaping on half of its acres and cut back even more on maintaining its historic fences.
Appomattox Court House has no current issues.
Arlington House of Robert E. Lee reports that it is not able to maintain parts of the property.
Camp Nelson National Monument reports that their is no current issue.
Catoctin Mountains Park says that trail maintenance is behind schedule and some trails may not meet prior standards. Also, downed trees have not been removed from the park.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Parks have no current issues.
Fort Donelson reports that due to staffing reductions routine landscaping maintenance has been reduced. There is also reduced staff time with visitors.
Fort Pulaski reports no current issues.
Fort Sumter reports no current issues.
Fredericksburg National Military Park is offering reduced services.
General Grant NMEM no reported issues.
Gettysburg reports that the Wills house is closed.
Harpers Ferry has a number of problems. They no longer offer Ranger-led tours to school groups on Tuesdays. The fee station is closed two days per week at Cavalier Heights. Four out of five staff restrooms have been closed. There is reduced maintenance throughout the park and an inability to fix HVAC problems. They can’t hire a volunteer coordinator and volunteers are being turned away.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP reports no problems associated with cutbacks.
Kennesaw Mountain reports no problems.
Lincoln Boyhood Home reports no new problems.
Lincoln Home reports no new problems.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument the park will be open only two days per week instead of seven days a week which it had been open before the cutbacks.
Manassas Battlefield identifies a number of problems. The NPS is having trouble in removing dangerous trees and awarding the mowing contract. The hiring freeze leaves three positions vacant: an exhibit specialist, manager of maintenance, and a maintenance worker. This has impacted the NPS efforts to preserve the park. Cutbacks in the masonry crew have led to significant delays.
Monocacy Battlefield reports that until the end of July the mowing contract could not be awarded.
Pea Ridge NMP reports no new problems.
Petersburg National Battlefield reports closure of Tour Road due to a storm.
Reconstruction Era NHP reports no new problems.
Richmond National Battlefield Park reports no new problems.
St. Gaudens NHP reports a cutback in tours offered to school groups.
Sand Creek Massacre reports no new problems.
Shiloh National Military Park wants to cut ranger-led tours by 50% due to short staffing.
Springfield Armory reports no new problems.
Stones River National Battlefield reports no new problems.
Ulysses S. Grant NHP reports no problems.
Vicksburg reports no new problems.
Wilsons Creek National Battlefield reports no new problems.
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Sucks to be 37 trillion in federal debt. And you won’t suggest other ways to cut the budget. Sad.
I did in an earlier post, but you don’t read what I’ve written. You just act as though the additional three trillion in Trump’s budget plan is going for the national parks. So your comments will be removed after this.