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The ongoing government shutdown offers a preview of President Donald Trump's long-term vision for national public lands, according to a new analysis from the Center for American Progress. The analysis compares policy changes enacted or proposed by the Trump administration to the impacts to national public lands during the current government shutdown. This comparison shows "striking similarities" between Trump administration policy goals and shutdown impacts.
For example, the Trump administration has sought to remove protections for national public lands. During the shutdown, many public lands facilities and access are closed, with services and other programs paused. The Trump administration has also pursued funding and staffing cuts for public land management agencies such as the National Park Service. By keeping national parks open with skeleton staffs, the Trump administration is accomplishing its goal of forcing land management agencies to do more with less, putting recreation opportunities and wildlife habitats at risk of irreparable damage.
"As the government shutdown drags on, the American public is understandably concerned about near-term effects on parks and public lands," writes Drew McConville, author of the analysis. "These are not temporary concerns. Many of the shutdown’s impacts are a taste of the future that President Donald Trump is trying to cement for America’s public lands."
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[The Bureau of Land Management's shutdown contingency plan] reveals a great deal about this administration’s values. Their special interest buddies in the oil and gas industries will be safe, but what about ensuring safe recreational access to public lands during hunting season? Not essential, apparently.”
