What impact will NPS firings have?

[JerryB]

Recent staff firings are already affecting the Grand Canyon and other parks. What will IR be like this summer? I have a few guesses. I won't be surprised if the Greenstone is not issued. Maybe more importantly, I expect trails will be a bit of a mess, with downfalls left in place and boardwalk repairs (always in need) not done. Of course, uncleared trails will result in widening of trails around downfalls.

Any ideas?

[RedLeg]

Low staffing will require the lost and injured to be left behind for fertilizer.

Self rescue or start digging

[JerryB]

Low staffing will require the lost and injured to be left behind for fertilizer.

Self rescue or start digging

You jest but there is truth in what you write. On the more trivial end of the spectrum, don’t count on any TP in the outhouses and ranger talks are at risk. Last year, some sections of boardwalk were downright dangerous. I doubt they will be repaired at all.

[Tortuga]

Firing every single probationary employee without review is disgraceful. I've never been more angry with my government. No matter what your political persuasion is, I think a lot of people are in for a nasty surprise when they try to visit the people's parks this year.

With a possible shutdown looming in March, I'm wondering if the park might not even open for business.

[RedLeg]

I hope the folks who voted for this twot are happy with what they are getting

[jerry]

I figure I better not go to ISRO NP this year after all. I'm also worried about the campgrounds I depend upon, in our National Forests and those that are Corp. of Engineers. I'm old (born when FDR was our president). I'm not a happy camper, unless the NPs and other resources are open for our use, what am I going to do. If anyone out there has a connection to what we can expect, please share with us asap.

[RedLeg]

You should still go, we have someone in their 70s coming with us this year. Slower pace but always forward!

[torpified]

I wonder if there’s scope for volunteer trial maintenance, TP distribution, etc? Drumming up/organizing volunteers and supplies is one issue. But supposing, say, a volunteer trail crew got themselves to ISRO, would anything stop them from clearing deadfall?

[Kelly]

Has TP distribution even happened since at least 2020?

During my trip last September, I met a couple of law enforcement rangers. Our first encounter happened while they were looking for a female hiker who'd become separated from her hiking partner ("No, I'm not Elaine" was a bit of a running joke among solo female hikers for a couple of days.). At our second encounter, they revealed that they were on a two-week loan from Buffalo National River, as ISRO didn't have enough law enforcement staffing. Maybe that sort of thing happens all the time among our parks, and we don't see it. It seems less likely this year.

ISRO probably had good reasons for changing the briefing from LNT to what is has been for the last few years. LNT seems more important than ever.

torpified, you'll be there before any of the rest of us, right?

[RedLeg]

We will be there on the 10th but we aren't dropping in Washington Harbor & i doubt we will see a ranger at the dock for a brief. Last time I did first boat there was no brief, no collection of registration carbons; just a wave from the captain & a "have fun & be safe". Rolf was the only one greeting people at the dock when we pulled in that year.

[Redbad]

The cuts may well impact all of the seasonal NPS employees who work at ISRO (which means most of the ISRO staff). The Ranger III crew including the master and chief engineer, the backcountry trail maintenance crews, the summer staff at Rock Harbor and Windigo, the staff at Mott Island that repairs ISRO watercraft, the staff that does maintenance on the NPS buildings around the island, the staff who load and unload the Ranger III, etc.

Keep in mind that by firing probationary personnel, the NPS is gutting the future as well. This may not be limited to 2025...

[Tortuga]

The cuts may well impact all of the seasonal NPS employees who work at ISRO (which means most of the ISRO staff). The Ranger III crew including the master and chief engineer, the backcountry trail maintenance crews, the summer staff at Rock Harbor and Windigo, the staff at Mott Island that repairs ISRO watercraft, the staff that does maintenance on the NPS buildings around the island, the staff who load and unload the Ranger III, etc.

Keep in mind that by firing probationary personnel, the NPS is gutting the future as well. This may not be limited to 2025...

I think they'll rehire, but the new folks will have to pass a loyalty test to get in.

[RedLeg]

Don't kid yourself, they're not rehiring anyone