Retired Rangers Sound Warning

Retired national park rangers are warning the impending “fiscal cliff” sequester could have dire consequences to our nation’s already budget-strapped parks.  Failure of The Congress to resolve the national budget would result in a mandated 8.3% cut in park budgets and most likely bring the termination of thousands of seasonal park rangers and even force the shutdown of some national park units.  Additionally, the retirees warn there would be closures of campgrounds, visitor centers, termination of educational programs for schools, reduced maintenance and repair of buildings, roads and trails, reduced snow plowing, termination of invasive weed management programs, no backcountry patrols or ability to perform search and rescue operations.  How the cuts would specifically impact Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks is not yet known.