The National Park Service is confronting significant funding uncertainties that could lead to substantial budget cuts. Congressional discussions around funding for President Trump's agenda are causing concern among park rangers and conservationists, who warn that staffing shortages are already jeopardizing fragile ecosystems and adversely affecting local economies. With the park system sustaining over 400,000 jobs in neighboring communities, business owners, like motel proprietors in Joshua Tree, express discontent due to dwindling international visitors, attributing it to the current administration's negative impact on tourism. Despite being a small fraction of the federal budget, visitor spending at national parks significantly boosts the U.S. economy.
"At any given time of the year, between 25 and 40% of my business is international travelers... I have had less than 10 international travelers this spring season, which is incredibly low."
"The administration is working in overdrive to essentially deceive the public into thinking that things are OK at our parks," said Neal Desai.
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