Trump’s government shutdown, now on day 17 and counting, has led to the closure of Joshua Tree National Park.
The park announced today,
Tuesday January 8, that it will temporarily close “effective 8 am on
Thursday, January 10, to allow park staff to address sanitation, safety,
and resource protection issues in the park that have arisen during the
lapse in appropriations.”
Officials at the popular California park say some of the iconic
desert trees (Yucca brevifolia) and other ancient elements of the
landscape have been damaged by people and their cars since the shutdown
began, severely limiting park staffing.
“While the vast majority of those who visit Joshua Tree National Park
do so in a responsible manner, there have been incidents of new roads
being created by motorists and the destruction of Joshua trees in recent
days that have precipitated the closure. Law enforcement rangers will
continue to patrol the park and enforce the closure until park staff
complete the necessary cleanup and park protection measures,” park
officials said in the release.
In related news, Rep. Jackie Speier is dumping some of the national park trash right on Trump’s doorstep.
