Trump Administration Is Said to Target Park Service Grants

The Trump administration has allocated the dishes of the subsidies of the National Parks Service for Elimination, including several that aim to protect public lands from the effects of climate change, the chord to an internal agency that details the plans.

The spreadsheet, entitled “grants the potential cancellation list,” says the cuts could save $ 26 million canceling subsidies to universities, state historical preservation offices, tribes and youth body.

It was developed by Conor Fennessy, a staff member in the efficiency department of the Government of Elon Musk, according to two people with direct knowledge of the plan. Similar lists of subsidies are being developed in other parts of the Department of the Interior, according to the two people, who requested anonymity for fear of remuneration.

In the National Parks Service, the Doge Plan proposes to eliminate scientists in Parks, a popular program that places students and early career scientists at natural and historical reference points to help protect ecosystems.

Also in the cutting block: a study of climate resilience of $ 67,000 on lands surrounding the National Recreation Area of ​​Golden Gate; A $ 223,000 study on the impact of climate change on Alaska glaciers; Basin protection efforts throughout the country; And a $ 220,000 project to protect the “Mounds of the Campus” of the Louisiana State University, two dome structures created by Native Americans thousands of years ago.

The reason given to close these programs, according to the document, is the “climate change/sustainability”, which indicated that they stated a problem that the Trump administration has opposed to address.

Others appear for potential elimination due to “Dei”, or diversity, equity and inclusion, which the Trump administration is also opposed.

The subsidies for the termination listed as Dei include financing of $ 462000 in a park in the state of Washington to better accommodate children with disabilities, and $ 198,000 for the Montains fund of Santa Monica, a non -profit group, for mentor of university students.

Also in the list, a subsidy of $ 58,000 to the historical society of the State of Colorado to survey the properties associated with the history of homosexuals and transgender for possible nominations for the National Registry of Historical Places.

The Trump administration listed its reason to cancel the subsidy as: “LGBQ”.

Elizabeth Peace, a spokeswoman for the Department of the Interior, declined to comment on the elimination of specific subsidies. She said in a statement that the agency was committed to fiscal responsibility.

“We are eliminating wasteful programs, reducing unnecessary costs and ensuring that every dollar has a clear purpose,” said Mrs. Peace. He added: “By rationalizing operations and focusing resources on conservation, the development of responsible energy and public protection of the land, we are prioritizing taxpayers while we maintain our mission.”

Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs of the National Parks Conservation Association, a non -profit group that advocates on behalf of Parks, said the agency was saving a lot while losing a weathering of knowledge and experience.

“It’s a penny and a pound of fool,” he said. “It is surprising when you look at the dollars in all these projects how much is achieving the service of parks with such little money.”

Mrs. Brengel said that the cuts to climate change studies would harm the public to the park.

“The research that takes place in national parks is essential for how we are evaluating the conditions of our land, air and water in the country,” he said, he added: “It is not about climate change policy, it is about public safety and public health.”