The impending sequester—a series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to government agencies set to begin on March 1—will have significant impacts on U.S. National Parks. The AP recently obtained a National Park Service memo detailing upcoming measures, which include a hiring freeze, strict cost-cutting measures, the elimination of seasonal personnel, and employee furloughs.  

Of the 398 U.S. National Parks, below are sequestration plans for some of the most visited parks. In addition to recreation and education programs, there will be considerable economic consequences for outdoor tourism and nearby towns.

 

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
Delayed road openings, reduced staffing, and delayed access to Grant Village and Yellowstone Lake.

 

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Closure of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Lawrence S. Rockefeller Preserve, and Flagg Ranch Information Station, affecting 300,000 visitors.

 

Glacier National Park (Montana)
Delayed opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the only road providing access to the entire park, resulting in an estimated $1 million in lost revenue daily.

 

Yosemite National Park (California)
Delayed opening of Tioga Pass, the park's only entrance from the east. Staff and volunteer reductions would end many ranger programs and activities; less frequent trash pickup would likely result in increased bear activity.

 

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Delayed opening of the East Rim and West Rim drives and reduced hours of operation at the Grand Canyon Visitors Center, affecting 250,000 visitors.

 

Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
Closure of the Ohana Visitor Center, affecting up to 85,000 visitors.

 

Denali National Park (Alaska)
Delayed plowing of park roads and a delayed opening of the Eielson Visitor Center.

 

Gettysburg National Monument (Pennsylvania)
Loss of seasonal volunteers and elimination of 20 percent of student education programs.

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee)
Closure of five campgrounds and picnic areas, reduction in road maintenance, and an increase in emergency response time.

 

Cape Cod National Seashore (Massachusetts)
Closure of the Province Lands Visitor Center and reduced access to sections of Great Beach.

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