GoKawiilPark staff and those who speak to the media were reportedly prohibited from notifying the public about deaths and certain injuries across 435 NPS sites nationwide (Photo: Joel Carillet/Getty Images)
Newly revealed guidance issued by the Department of the Interior reportedly prohibits National Park staff from publicly releasing information about deaths across 435 sites nationwide. Experts say this puts visitors at risk.
A newly revealed internal memo allegedly bans National Park Service (NPS) staff from publicly reporting the deaths or severity of injuries at America’s national parks, according to a new report. Experts say this shift in transparency not only sets a dangerous precedent for park management but could also put visitors at risk.
According to a report recently published by The Washington Post, the Department of the Interior (DOI), which oversees NPS, distributed a memo to employees in December. Park staff and those who speak to the media were reportedly prohibited from notifying the public about deaths and certain injuries across 435 NPS sites nationwide.
In an email to Outside, a spokesperson for the DOI said the “narrative being presented is false and reflects a significant mischaracterization of the Department’s guidance.”
“Interior remains committed to providing timely and accurate information while ensuring families are notified first. The guidance was developed to create a more consistent approach to incident communications across the Department and is not intended to conceal fatalities or delay information,” the spokesperson wrote.
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“We continue to provide public safety information, statements, news releases, and incident updates as appropriate, while respecting investigative processes, privacy considerations, next-of-kin notifications, and, in some cases, requests from family members not to release identifying information,” they added.
However, some experts say that the shift is unnecessary and could have repercussions for park visitors.
“This is a significant change in reporting requirements, and we do not know or understand the reason or motivation for the change,” Bill Wade, executive director of the advocacy group, Association of National Park Rangers, told Outside. Wade spent 34 years working for the NPS across several sites, including Mount Rainier and Yosemite. He said the change could erode public trust in the agency and harm its reputation.
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