Suzanne Potter
California News Service
The Sierra Club predicts big problems at national parks such as Yosemite and Sequoia this summer because the Trump administration is slashing federal funding and firing federal employees.
The club has sued the Department of Government Efficiency. On Thursday, judges in two similar suits ordered the feds to reinstate the workers.
Gloria D. Smith, Environmental Law Program managing attorney for the Sierra Club, said the nonprofit’s suit is unaffected.
“We’re very pleased that the courts are holding, and we fully support this judge’s well-reasoned decision holding DOGE accountable,” Smith emphasized. “But it remains to be seen whether or not the Trump administration will follow court orders.”
One of the other lawsuits challenging the layoffs was brought by employee unions and the other by 20 Democratic attorneys general. The temporary restraining orders require the Trump administration to reinstate tens of thousands of probationary workers, many of whom were fired citing allegedly poor performance, without evidence.
The Trump administration insists the reduction in force is necessary to cut costs and has already filed appeals in those two cases. Smith pointed out if the employees do not go back to work soon, national parks could be plagued by long entrance lines, trash, dirty bathrooms or worse.
“The trails are likely to not be maintained,” Smith noted. “There’s a good chance that campgrounds will not be cleaned up and cared for. There’s a lot of work that goes into making a park presentable and safe for the high season when millions and millions of people visit.”
The administration has authorized the Park Service to hire 7,700 seasonal workers for the summer.
