Dozens of former rangers, park volunteers, and local residents protested at Glacier National Park's gateway over staff cuts and hiring freezes that have affected national parks nationwide. Current and former staffers and watchdog groups report that cuts prevent staff from maintaining facilities and infrastructure and reduce ability to respond to emergencies. Protesters held signs and chanted during a visit by the Congressional Western Caucus, hosted by Rep. Ryan Zinke, which highlighted the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act's funding. Senator Steve Daines promoted that law and later proposed the America the Beautiful Act. Congressional support for funding contrasts with administration job cuts and a bill that rescinded $276m from the National Park Service.
Dozens of former rangers, park volunteers, and local residents protested at the gateway to Montana's Glacier national park on Wednesday against the staff cuts and hiring freezes that have thrown many national parks into crisis, including Glacier. Current and former staffers and watchdog groups say the cuts have meant staff are not able to keep up the facilities and infrastructure. Some say the park has been left with inadequate infrastructure and too little staff to be able to respond to emergencies.
Although it might look to visitors like operations in Glacier are normal, it's like walking down a Hollywood movie set where the front looks great but there's nothing behind it, said Sarah Lundstrum, Glacier program manager with the National Parks Conservation Association. The protesters held signs, chanted and waved at tourists during a visit to the park from the Congressional Western Caucus. Hosted by Montana Republican congressman and former interior secretary Ryan Zinke, the caucus came to the park to showcase the success of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which secured federal funding for protection and maintenance of public lands.
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