Planned Shutdown of National Park Service Offices in Flagstaff Amid Cost-Cutting Measures
The Trump administration has announced plans to close two National Park Service offices in Flagstaff as part of a broader effort to cut costs by reducing federal office space nationwide. These closures are part of a larger initiative targeting 2 million square feet of federal office space across the U.S.
The facilities set to close include the combined headquarters for Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Walnut Canyon national monuments, which will cease operations by the end of August. Situated in east Flagstaff, this building supports various administrative functions, including law enforcement and public safety services, separate from the monuments themselves.
Additionally, the administration plans to close the offices of the Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network, responsible for monitoring the health of ecosystems, plants, and animals within national parks.
The Department of Government Efficiency’s website lists the total lease value for the Flagstaff properties at just over $400,000, though further details and documentation are not provided.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has not directly commented on the Flagstaff office closures but has stated its commitment to finding alternative facilities for employees. “The Department of the Interior and its bureaus are committed to upholding federal responsibilities to communities and tribes,” a department spokesperson stated via email. “We are working with GSA (General Services Administration) to ensure facilities or alternative options will be available for the continued delivery of Interior services as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management.”
Beyond Flagstaff, the Park Service also intends to close the administrative headquarters for Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot national monuments, located in Camp Verde. Additional closures include a law enforcement office in Fredonia and an airport terminal building in Show Low, operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, expressed concern over the closures, stating, “It is reckless and short-sighted to shutter National Park Service offices without a careful examination of what they protect and the critical staff who work there.” She warned that these actions could severely impact the Park Service’s operational capabilities and the security of valuable artifacts.
According to the DOGE website, the administration plans to close 24 federal offices in Arizona alone. This includes locations like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Forest Service in Phoenix, the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Yuma, the FDA in Tempe, and multiple IRS offices in the Phoenix area. The Indian Health Service office on the Navajo Nation in St. Michaels is also slated for closure.
Nationwide, the administration intends to shut down 164 Interior Department offices, which includes 34 National Park Service facilities.
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