Concerns Raised Over Grand Canyon Park Staffing During Potential Shutdown

WASHINGTON – A former superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park expressed concerns on Monday about the risks posed to “nationwide important and irreplaceable resources” if the park remains open with minimal staff during government closures.

Robert Earnberger is among 40 former national park supervisors who have urged Interior Secretary Doug Burghum to consider closing the park instead of operating with drastically reduced personnel.

“Without sufficient staff on site, we can’t ensure visitor safety, protect park resources, or look after employees still required to work,” Earnberger, a Tucson local, mentioned in a phone call.

Since President Trump took office, the Park Service has seen a reduction of about 25% in personnel, according to the National Park Conservation Association.

Former officials are worried this staffing shortage is already impacting the park’s fragile ecosystem. They suspect that if shutdowns follow past patterns, staffing levels could drop even more until Congress and the White House come to an agreement on funding the federal government.

This situation would leave the park vulnerable, as outlined in a letter to Burgum from Earnberger and his former colleagues.

Grand Canyon National Park welcomed 4.9 million visitors last year, according to Park Services. Earnberger, who managed the park from 1994 to 2000, recalled how closures in 2013 and 2018 led to significant damage.

“Trees were cut down, litter was strewn everywhere, and vandalism was rampant,” he reflected.

The damage was severe enough that park personnel struggled to restore order once the government reopened. “We observed firsthand what happens when park staff is insufficient to provide necessary care,” Earnberger noted.

The president held discussions with key leaders from both the House and Senate on Monday, but no solutions emerged regarding the budget conflict. With the federal fiscal year ending on September 30, a failure to reach an agreement by end of Tuesday could lead to widespread government shutdowns.

Republicans are suggesting a temporary funding extension until November 21, allowing lawmakers extra time to negotiate a comprehensive deal. However, they’re lacking enough Senate votes without support from Democrats, who are calling for an end to significant funding cuts in healthcare and demanding assurances that Trump won’t continue to slash Congress-approved programs.

During a shutdown, the administration will halt services deemed non-essential. Social Security benefits will still be distributed, and email services will continue. Although military personnel, airport security, air traffic controllers, and immigration agents will maintain regular operations, they risk delayed paychecks if Congress doesn’t reach an agreement before their next payday.

Other federal team members could face unpaid periods. As of March, Arizona had nearly 64,000 federal employees, with about one-quarter being veterans.

Congress typically approves back pay once the shutdown concludes. However, Trump has threatened widespread layoffs if a closure occurs. This has faced legal challenges, as previous layoffs were contested in court, and the president doesn’t possess special authority to terminate workers simply due to budget issues.

This threat has caused anxiety among federal employees, according to Mario Campos, national vice president of the U.S. Government Employees’ 12th District, representing workers in several western states.

“The threat feels real and urgent, though it may not be legal,” Campos stated. “This administration has shown a disregard for court orders and standard government procedures.”

Campos expressed that workers would feel a sense of betrayal, having dedicated themselves to serving their country and upholding the Constitution, and expressed hope that the federal government would respect established rules.

Tourism is a vital part of Arizona’s economy, with the Grand Canyon being a major attraction. Visitors to Arizona’s national parks contributed $1.4 billion last year, primarily from those visiting the Grand Canyon, supporting around 9,000 jobs.

National parks nationwide serve as significant economic engines, with park visitors spending $29 billion in adjacent communities, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and various services.

In March 2024, under the Biden administration, the Home Office proposed a strategy to close parks within a week of any government shutdown.

On Monday, the NPS indicated that these plans are still being reviewed and may not be enacted as proposed.

The most recent government shutdown lasted 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019, during which the park stayed open at the president’s direction, leading to multiple issues, according to Earnberger.

Incidents included illegal tree cutting in California’s Joshua Tree National Park and unsupervised camps in Death Valley National Park, which created hygiene problems.

In Big Bend National Park in Texas, graffiti marred ancient petroglyphs, while visitors at Zion National Park left social media tags on natural landmarks.

“National parks don’t maintain themselves. It’s the dedicated staff of the National Park Service who keep them safe, clean, and accessible,” the superintendent’s letter emphasized.