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Concerns about the impact of overcrowding in national parks existed well before the coronavirus pandemic forced the necessary closure of many parks due to public health concerns. As some parks start to reopen, it may be an opportune time to examine how overcrowding diminishes the visitor experience.
Jeff Ruch with Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility thinks it's long overdue for park managers to address overcrowding, saying "Despite statutory requirements, very few parks have current (within the last 20 years) general management plans and almost none has established carrying capacities."
Although many Americans are eager to resume their travel plans and safely visit our national parks and public lands, the challenges facing park managers that existed before will be there to greet them when they return. Kristen Brengel with the National Parks Conservation Association said, "We were seeing overcrowding issues in many national parks long before coronavirus threatened the health of visitors and staff." Following the pandemic she went on to say, "We hope park planners are empowered to implement tools that will enhance visits to national parks and better protect resources."
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The public cannot sincerely engage if the comment period is not adjusted to account for the obstacles posed by the ongoing crisis. For instance, here in New Mexico – the 49th-ranked state in the country for internet access – those lacking the resources to submit comments online may be unable to. This is of particular concern for tribal households, less than half of which have access to fixed broadband service and who are entitled to robust input opportunities as part of the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations. For lands sacred to the pueblos, the administration should want more input from tribal communities, not less."
