Majority of National Park System Advisory Board Resign
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What’s the story?
Nine out of the 12 members of the National Park System Advisory Board resigned late Monday. In a combined letter penned by departing board chairman and former Alaskan governor, Tony Knowles, they noted that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke did not schedule a single meeting with the board during the entirety of 2017, despite repeated requests.
Twice annual meetings of the board are required by the board’s charter, and the relationship between the board and the National Park system is stipulated by law.
The board, which has existed since 1935, has focused the vast majority of its work in recent years on responsible stewardship of the national parks — combating climate change, engaging with young people, evolving a more diverse culture of park visitors. The boards members include social and natural science academics as well as former elected officials from both parties.
However, the New York Times reports that the Board was not consulted on any of the major changes to park rules over the last year, including an increase in visitor fees, the removal of a ban on plastic water bottles in parks, and the reduction of the size of several national monuments by thousands of acres.
Though the Board is not disbanded, with the resignation of 75 percent of its members the federal government is without a functioning body to designate national historic or natural landmarks. The president also has yet to nominate a director for the National Park Service, reports NPR.
Interior Department officials are reported to have cheered the resignations, referring to the group resignation as a "political stunt". Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift accused the board members of turning a blind eye to sexual harassment experiences by Park Service staff, who when surveyed reported that 39 percent experienced workplace harassment, reports the Washington Examiner.
It is unclear what responsibility the board plays officially in responding to such issues according to their charter.
Swift maintained that the Department had been attempting to schedule a meeting, and looks forward to appointing replacement board members soon.
What do you think?
Are you concerned about these resignations, or the lack of a director for the National Park Service? Why or why not?
Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!
— Asha Sanaker
(Photo Credit: Pixabay / Creative Commons)
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