Grand Canyon prepares for surge of visitors amid recent layoffs
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - The Grand Canyon is preparing for a surge of visitors during spring break, but recent layoffs are leaving the park short-staffed.
Last month, the Trump administration cut 1,000 employees from the National Park Service, including 10 workers at the Grand Canyon.
A park official says four of the 10 employees worked at the entrance gate, which could now cause long delays getting into the park.
Employees say they fear the cuts are only the beginning of a broader effort to weaken public land protections.
"Morale here at the park has been really low to be honest. Everyone is kind on on edge, no one knows what each day is going to bring, if today's the day they're going to be let go," said John Hockaday, a Seasonal Park Ranger.
"I know somebody who was just recently fired and they said that when they got the letter for their firing that it was based on performance. They had been here for three weeks. They hadn't received their first paycheck yet and they were being fired for performance," said Russell Gates, another Seasonal Park Ranger.
Spring break kicks off the busy season at the Grand Canyon.
So if you are planning to go, the park recommends getting to the entrance before 10:00 a.m. Otherwise, you could find yourself waiting one-to-two hours in line.
