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A top government watchdog concluded the Interior Department broke the law by diverting funds from national park entrance fees to keep parks open, but understaffed, during the latest government shutdown. The controversial order by Secretary David Bernhardt authorized the diversion of up to $250 million that had been directed by Congress for improving park facilities and visitor programs.
"Interior disregarded not only the laws themselves but also the congressional prerogatives that underlie them. Instead of carrying out the law, Interior improperly imposed its own will," wrote Thomas Armstrong, General Counsel for the Government Accountability Office. The agency noted that the Interior Department did not cooperate with the investigation and that similar decisions in the future would be considered "knowing and willful violations" of the law.
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We are opposed to this proposal and feel it is a very ill-advised move, not only for BLM, but for the sound management of America’s public lands entrusted to the agency’s care.”
