Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona is stepping up to address the staffing shortages at our country's National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). He has cosponsored two bills - the Protect Our Parks Act of 2025 and the Save Our Forests Act of 2025 - alongside Senator Mark Kelly and other lawmakers. According to a press release on Gallego's official Senate website, the legislation aims to reverse the impact of staffing reductions that have hampered the management and safety of America's cherished public lands.
The staffing cuts executed during the Trump administration hit hard, especially in Arizona, affecting renowned locations like the Grand Canyon. This has had a knock-on effect on visitor experiences and maintenance projects. A critical infrastructure project has been stalled due to staffing issues - the 12.5-mile waterline replacement at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Senator Gallego noted, "Arizona’s public lands are central to our state's identity and drivers of local economies," as stated by the Senator's Office.
Senator Kelly has pointed out the profound effects on Arizona families, with insufficient staff to manage the flurry of visitors leading to prolonged wait times and subsequent economic downturns for local businesses. With fire season approaching, a lack of forest maintenance and wildfire prevention poses significant threats to Arizona communities. "We're doing right by hardworking federal employees and ensuring our parks and forests have the staff they need to stay open, keep visitors safe, and get critical projects done on time," Kelly told his Senate website.
Municipal leaders have voiced their support for the bills, stressing the necessity for well-staffed parks and forests. Mayor Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer of Clarkdale highlighted the economic and safety implications, stating, "These areas are important economic drivers that help sustain our local economy." Meanwhile, Yavapai County officials express their frustrations over a lack of communication from the Forest Service, which leaves them in the dark about fire prevention and management strategies. "We appreciate Senator Kelly for introducing legislation to restore staffing at the Forest Service and address the uncertainty facing our wildland-urban interface," said Yavapai County Supervisor Brooks Compton, as per the Senator's Office.
