NPS furloughs majority of staff amid federal shutdown
As the federal government shutdown begins, the National Park Service released an operational plan saying it will furlough 9,296 of roughly 14,500 employees. The plan distinguishes park units that collect fees—about 100 of the roughly 400 NPS sites—which may use fee revenue to maintain limited visitor services, while parks without accessible fee areas will close services entirely; the move threatens daily fee revenue and local tourism income and follows broader CBO estimates of massive federal furloughs.
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🔍 Key Facts
- NPS workforce: ~14,500 total employees; 9,296 will be furloughed per the agency plan.
- Park coverage: ~400 National Park Service units exist; about 100 collect fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and may sustain minimal services using those fees.
- Economic impact: National Parks Conservation Association warned parks could lose up to $1 million in fee revenue per day and adjacent communities up to $80 million per day; CBO estimated up to 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed in the shutdown.