Experts claim parks at risk from shutdown of government
NATIONAL parks in the US are being overwhelmed by rubbish and are at risk of significant damage because of the partial shutdown of the government, conservationists have warned.
Donald Trump claimed yesterday that he had “no choice” but to continue the 11-day shutdown, blaming Democrats as litter and human waste piled up at tourist areas around the country.
Dakota Snider, 24, who works in Yosemite Valley, said: “It’s so heartbreaking. There is more trash and human waste and disregard for the rules than I’ve seen. It’s a free-for-all.”
The shutdown happened because of a standoff between the president and Democrats in Congress, who are refusing to authorise $5.7 billion to fund a large part of the president’s proposed wall on the Mexico border.
Democrats take control of the House of Representatives tomorrow and said they would introduce a spending bill to fund the government – but it contained no money for a border wall.
Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: “The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative!”
He added: “The wall is one-hundred percent foolproof. No, we are not giving up. We have to have border security and the wall is a big part of border security. The biggest part.”
Hundreds of thousands of public employees have been sent home during the shutdown, including rangers and other park staff.
John Garder, of the National Parks Conservation Association, said: “It’s a nightmare scenario. We’re concerned there’ll be impacts to visitors’ safety.”
In California the Sequoia National Park was closed due to overflowing rubbish bins.
At Joshua Tree National Park, rows were reported between campers with no rangers to step in, and damage was being caused by visitors illegally going off-road in vehicles.
Mr Trump stayed in Washington DC over the new year, cancelling a trip to Florida.
White House officials indicated the president believes he has public opinion on his side and that Democrats will be blamed for the shutdown.