Trump blocks 130 national park projects worth $25M, but reason behind move stands out

WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration has blocked more than 130 projects planned at the national parks across the country as it puts funding worth $25 million on hold.

The National Park Service (NPS), alongside key philanthropic partners like the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Foundation, launched an ambitious nearly half-billion-dollar revitalization effort.

Interior Department blocks national park projects across country

According to a report published by The Washington Post on Friday, September 11, the Interior Department “disapproved” of agreements last month for projects at Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Joshua Tree, and other parks across the country.

Interior Department oversees the National Park Service (NPS).

NPS started the revitalization of parks across the country in collaboration with other agencies, as it often relies on outside organizations for projects that require additional workers or specialized expertise rather than hiring additional federal employees.

The funding that has been withheld reportedly came from sources including congressional appropriations and existing federal programs. Interior Department approval was required before the funds could be released.

Trump admin rejects agreements over American interests

An Interior Department spokesperson Aubrie Spady confirmed to the outlet that the government rejected the agreement with groups she described as “actively working against the best interests of the American people and the priorities of this administration.”

“This decisive action is ensuring that these taxpayer dollars are being used in alignment with the administration’s objectives to make life more affordable for Americans, unleash domestic energy production, and expand access to our public lands,” she said.

California’s Joshua Tree has reportedly been impacted the most, as around 10 projects have been cancelled at the park. These projects included wildfire preparation, burned area restoration, and the removal of rodents that carry hantavirus from historic buildings.

Cancelled funding could make wildfires more frequent

Internal documents warned that losing funding for the projects could make it more difficult and costly to fight fires at the park.

“If this work is not completed, the park will be unable to fight wildfire. Fires will be larger, and fire suppression will be more expensive,” the outlet added, citing the documents.

The funding cut comes at a moment when the Park Service is facing staffing challenges.

The service has lost roughly a quarter of its staff since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, after the Trump administration sought to reduce the size of the federal government.

The Trump administration has suspended at least 10 such partnerships, which could have resulted in the hiring of at least 16 people.

Partner institute was not informed directly

The Great Basin Institute, a conservation nonprofit that works with federal land agencies, reportedly had more than 70 agreements worth at least $12 million rejected.

The group’s CEO, Peter Woodruff, told The Washington Post that it was not directly notified by the Interior Department about the decision and did not know why its agreements had been blocked.

Several Park Service employees also said they received little explanation beyond a message stating that the agreements had been “Disapproved by Department of Interior.”