Turn disappointment into action. Communities need to reclaim federal parks | Editorial
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close several Eastern Washington recreation spots and reduce services at others.
The news is a blow not just to people who enjoy the outdoors on long summer days, but also to the region’s tourism economy.
Local leaders, community groups, businesses and outdoor advocates need to engage with the Corps to see if there’s anything that can be done to reverse course.
The Fishhook Park RV campground, Levey Park and Illia Dunes Recreation Area will sit empty behind locked gates.
The full-service RV campground at Fishhook Park draws tourists and their dollars to local businesses.
Levey Park, with its access to the Snake River, hosts boating, swimming and picnicking for countless families.
Illia Dunes provides a unique landscape for day trips and its sandy beach on the Snake River is especially popular with college students from both Washington and Idaho. They are synonymous with summer fun, family outings and the joy of the outdoors.
The Corps’ closure list includes some less-prominent sites, too. Ice Harbor Dam and Lock, with its fish viewing room; the Lambi Creek and Willow Creek recreation areas near Illia Dunes; and a few sites in Whitman County near Lower Granite Dam also will not open.
The official explanation for the closures cites “limited resources” in the Corps’ Walla Walla District. That is the politically correct way of saying that Washingtonians can thank President Donald Trump for this.
The limited resources are the direct impact of shortsighted spending cuts enacted by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk.
Under federal workforce reduction efforts and hiring freezes, the Corps’ Walla Walla district lost about 50 experienced employees and cannot fill those vacancies. They simply do not have enough trained people to keep everything open.
Trump and Musk enjoy pointing to dubious, agenda-driven programs that they eliminated to save a few dollars. Those play well in conservative media and at rallies. But there are far more cuts like this that are affecting communities.
The administration prioritizes austerity and tax cuts over the well-being of citizens and the maintenance of public resources.
The effects will ripple throughout the region. Fewer tourists will mean less revenue for hotels, restaurants, wineries and shops. Families will have fewer affordable recreation options during the summer. And the sense of community fostered by shared outdoors spaces will diminish.
The people of Eastern Washington should view this setback as a call to action.
Start by contacting Rep. Dan Newhouse and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Tell them that federal cuts are affecting lives here, not just the federal workforce in far-off Washington, D.C. Congress is supposed to be responsible for setting spending. It needs to act like it. Newhouse, a Republican, especially needs to hear how cuts are harming his constituents.
Then, people should act more directly to address the problem. This isn’t the first time the Corps has gone through something like this. In 2011, it reduced recreation facility maintenance and open times due to budget limitations. But then, it invited local volunteers and organizations to help fill the resource gap. This time, the announcement lacked such outreach.
The community therefore needs to step up.
Local governments should immediately reach out to the Walla Walla District to explore partnerships. Community groups, from environmental organizations to local service clubs, and businesses should offer their assistance.
And the Corps should facilitate opportunities for individuals to volunteer with a clear, accessible process for registration and task assignment.
Volunteers could handle trash collection, landscaping and minor repairs, freeing Corps staff to focus on safety and key operations. Local governments could provide logistical support for volunteer efforts, provide equipment and trash pickup. Businesses could sponsor volunteer teams, donate supplies or offer discounts to volunteers.
Levey Park, Fishhook RV campground, Illia Dunes and the other sites might be federal property, but they are precious to local residents and visitors who return year after year to experience the beauty of Eastern Washington.
By working together, communities can turn disappointment into action and reclaim their parks.