Restored employment for discharged National Parks and Forest Service personnel under Democratic bills

In a move to safeguard public lands and ensure the safety of visitors, House Democrats have proposed two pieces of legislation: the Protect our Parks Act and the Save Our Forests Act. These bills, sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., aim to reinstate National Park Service (NPS) and Forest Service (FS) employees who lost their jobs during President Donald Trump's second term.

The Interior Department, which oversees the NPS, was expected to lay off thousands of employees due to budget cuts. This decision, according to Rep. Neguse, has made national parks and forests less safe and more prone to disaster. A May 22 court order has temporarily prevented job cuts at the Interior Department, but the need for swift action remains.

The Protect our Parks Act is specifically for the NPS, while the Save Our Forests Act is for the FS. Both measures are backed by the League of Conservation Voters, Environment America, and the National Federation of Federal Employees.

The FS, too, has been affected by job cuts, reassignments, and voluntary separation incentives. These changes have impacted the agency's operations, potentially affecting the management and preservation of our forests.

Senate Democrats have introduced companion legislation to Neguse's bills in March, although the names of the senators are not currently available. Rep. Neguse emphasized the need to act quickly to reinstate terminated employees at land management agencies, especially during the summer months, when the demand for outdoor activities increases.

The bills would not only reinstate employees but also continue projects that were authorized or received funding under laws like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. These projects are crucial for the maintenance and improvement of public lands under the jurisdiction of the Interior and Agriculture departments.

The court order has temporarily halted reductions in force at most major agencies, including the Interior Department. However, the future of these employees remains uncertain without the passage of these proposed bills. As we move forward, it is essential to prioritize the preservation of our public lands and the safety of visitors and employees alike.