available on the free radio app. >> this morning we took a look at some of the challenges facing the national park system. >> joining us now as trees of the national park association. she serves as president and ceo. >> good morning. it is your association represent? >> we been in existence for almost 100 years. we have 1.2 million members and supporters. our mission is to protect our parks. we have been at it from us a hundred years. >> one thing it does is when the topics of shutdown command what was it like for this time around. compared to last shutdown. >> the last shutdown lasted for a few weeks.

this shutdown is difficult because it wasn't quite clear what would happen. even though shorter time we still had about one third of the national park units shutdown. yet reports of graffiti and looting. in today's we so many things happening inside parks. with one third of the parts closed many a shutout. >> when that happens are there no staff to help with the guides or safety or things like that? >> the guides are not considered essential. bathrooms are close. you'll have a patrol person. it was so parks are 2 million acres, there's no way you can guarantee safety. it's a small crew that would be

there for safety. >> as far as food and money collected that was affected two. >> no fees were collected in the visitor centers are closed and interpreters can to their job. people were on their own. we did see intrusions into the park snowmobiles and things like that, impacts to parks happen just in two days. that would continued it would've been very serious. >> how do they prepare for this? >> the information given was vague. there is pressure to keep the parks open. their duty to protect national resources is critical. there was a lot of confusion. if it will have lasted more than

two days we would've saw some significant challenges. >> if you want to ask questions it is 2027 for a 2000. you can post thoughts on twitter on @cspanwj. give us the scope of national parks in the united states. and how involved is the government? >> the funding for the budget is $3.2 billion. when you think about the shape the parks. we had a backlog of about $11.3 billion. that consisted of roads and water systems and infrastructure needs. the parks had about 75000 structures to maintain.

then just managing the operations the parks how to 10% reduction in staff. they are already strained. the parks are in a difficult situation with staffing and a maintenance backlog that is enormous. >> to receive this previous late? it has built up. the president's budget just introduced was the largest cut star national park unit since world war ii. an enormous cut. that wasn't the budget that move forward. we don't suspect an increase in the next budget. so we don't see a solution coming to fund parks as needed. parks did see increases on the operating side. with much of the federal government hiring freezes that existed, that put a damper as

well is being able to fulfill the positions. >> we've seen a proposal about increasing the fee set national parks. what could they be? >> the parks that charge fees generally 25 or $30. increases have gone up very small. they are public parks. something you want to make accessible to everyone. any families don't have the means to spend significant dollars. the proposal could triple it in some parks. most parks in this region can see and increase of $70. that's enormous. that's a part people go to for the day. local communities will be impacted.

it's a significant increase in people are still struggling. >> how much of the overall budget comes from that. >> in the realm of $75 million an increase. when you look at the overall budget would have a negligible impact and benefiting the parks to increase it. it could have a serious negative impact. >> is that a budget issue for management issue when it comes to that? >> is a budget issue. annually park state about 600 million a year to maintain their facilities. when budgets come in far less than that they're falling into deeper seriously.

there's a bipartisan bill that would provide $500 million a year. current revenue that would be able to fund and make progress with current funding. it's a bipartisan piece of legislation that we think needs to forward with the president talking about infrastructure. here's an opportunity to do something important. >> this is a national park association. you service president and ceo. the first call from california. hannah, you're on. go ahead. >> of money. but here we had a shutdown of alcatraz. the surprises have figures but how much you think that impacted those turn to parks in terms of money lost? >> i don't have a number from that park but were talking

billions of dollars a day and loss. that impacts contractors and concessionaires. hotels and restaurants, it impacts an entire community. it's not just dollars that typically can be made up. it's very significant to the entire community. >> is alcatraz a national park? >> yes. >> i think we have 417 national park units in the country. every state has at least one. resize like the statue of liberty. and we have everything from cultural and historic to incredible natural resource sites.

the diverse system that helps to protect her history, the very basic stories of our democracy. it's critical people understand the impact it has economically for the nation. >> here is spread. >> i live around it national park. i've been here since the inception of the national park. i don't get what these people are saying. i believe national parks are for people. i think they like to just lock them up and throw away the key. it's just a smear campaign on the trump campaign. there were talking about the national park challenges which is foolish on all sides. good luck.

>> national parks have had 330 million visitors annually. just the last year they signed norm's visitation. people are coming to parks. we talked about full parks but there are also important sites. important history they preserve. one area that we have been able to find common ground. a nonpartisan issue. when that every presidents have honored her national park. a most civil servants that work hard to protect them. >> said hello cyrus. >> i think this is a good topic.

people love their national parks and we don't trash our streets and throw garbage. most parks compose sign saying you can't bring food in but you have so many naturalists out there, including hunters, the boy scouts and girl scouts and organizations that could help in maintaining the parks if needed. wider deuce ideas that you could trash the parks when we should as human beings clean up after ourselves if we make a mess. we do value are parks and want to use them. it's part of who we are. >> it's been so alarming when we have seen this.

racine leases given for oil and gas right up to the borders that have significant impacts. the monuments issued where the president took an unprecedented action to reduce by 2 million acres in a credible place in the maine woods, we see something like this in beautiful maine, park that has been protected and reserved is threatened as well. we continue to see this and it feels very much like an attack. we are part of what makes the system so amazing. these are our lands. >> based out of alaska it says that on monday interior secretary signed an agreement for land exchange to allow a

road something the obama administration blocks because of concerns on the impact of the wildlife. what you think about that strategy? >> they can be good but it depends on the actual area. when you have a wilderness area you have to pay attention to that. it has to be protected. when you looked at the few wildlife areas alaska is one of those places in north america. it's really the last great wilderness. is so critical to protect the wildlife there. >> it will also allow residents to drive through, why not give them access? >> this is been very controversial.

there been other ways to provide access. with our national parks, they are so special. places that have been determined to be necessary. this is for a particular wilderness area that has continued to raise issues. racine attacks on national parks like never before. if we allow this within our parks we are seeing threats from every single area. something that impacts clean water in the clean water act, it is impacting the national resources and to protect the wildlife and resources that we care so much about. >> we saw state officials glad for it because they said states

can management better than the federal government. >> let's remember, the national parks belong to all of us, and whether federal or national parks public lands in utah or virginia or anywhere, is so important to have the highest level protections. this one thing the national park service does. they have the most revered staff in the government. they can also impact and have a uniform system. >> this is jimmy in florida. >> of morning. >> thank you for taking my call.

i have been cross country four times over the years. i've been to yosemite and oregon. the parks are something that i agree, we need as a nation. in my opinion i believe the reason there cutting the budget and the reason to raise the admission fee is because they want the national resources these contain. the : the oil in the gas. it would be a travesty if the public was allowed to let that happen. at this point i don't know what can be done to stop it. it's scary. >> thank you for the comments. you can help, there are ways in

which we can voice. we've had to create the kinds of defense a legal defense fund. instead of being able to be proactive and work for ways to improve had to play major defense. that's really unusual. these parks are part of all of us. we've only been given the short time to be stewards of the slam for children and grandchildren. if we let them down, these parks will be gone forever. it's not something you can turn back. it's critical that people raise their voices lab and call congress and engage. understand that these are important treasures in our country. >> lynn, in utah. >> as far as -- are for

representatives are all owned by the gas and oil industries. something like 80% were again shrinking of the monuments. our representatives don't care for the people of utah want. they're willing to sell it out. the guests you have on today's well spoken. in fighting for americans treasures. i hope americans will wake up and realize what they have got. i think they take for granted the amazing parks we are blessed with. i appreciate the speaker so much and i hope you can have ron

again. she is telling americans what they need to hear. i hope they listen. >> guest: thank you. i appreciate your comments. the other day i was watching the show, rocked the park. the men who travel to the country it shows how beautiful they are. they were in bare sears. they were looking at the rock structures and amazing native american dwellings that still exist and can be seen. they're not important to protect, what is? 80% in utah and across the country agree that these monuments are worthy of protecting them. why is it that our officials and leaders are not listening? >> there is a headline recently

about the resignation of the advisory board. who's on the sport? >> this is unbelievable and painful. the people on the national park advisory are scientists, educators and leaders in conservation. the leaders also served on the second century commission under george w. bush. this is not a partisan or political issue. it's important to understand that these are leaders in their voices critical. for the secretary to not even meet with them in a year is appalling. couple that with eliminating the science that has been done to show the impact that parks are facing for increased fires and droughts and to eliminate that i not listen to your board is

frightening. who is rented the national park system? we don't have a director of the national park system. we continue to see a lack of leadership from the secretary say he thought president roosevelt was someone he wanted to model. were please look at what president roosevelt said. it is not with the secretaries to. >> in response to this he said we welcome the resignation on expect nothing else. replace a man for inspiring the ethics management failure. >> it is appalling. every sense of my body is appalled. it shows the lack of understanding.

these are science advisors and education advisors. nothing to do something that happened in personnel. to throw that out the values the office of the interior was disheartening to those public servants that volunteer that are on paid. >> host: in nevada is up next. >> caller: i will 14 miles from the lake mead recreational area. they wanted to close down the land. in our national forest here dying from bark beetle infestation and disease. these trees are dying to become

a hazard in the fire season. you have to let people get in there if you look at private lands with trees on, the trees are healthy. and wild horses, monica reported the phone. >> managing the for service is so strapped for budget to manage the first appropriately and manage the entire fire season. we continue to see the increase and infestations increase weather beetles or other creatures impacting the forest. were portland never is to make sure were using science to managing the lance appropriately.

but allowing it inside national parks that need to be protected is about supporting extraction and there are places that need to be off limits and to make sure the planning takes place. to allow for when it's appropriate and the kind of efforts he suggested. >> many of the national parks have controlled burns. they certainly do that manage it well. fires part of the entire ecosystem. of course when you have these enormous fires out of control loosing jobs like we've never seen before.

>> why is it when it comes to the for service that there hasn't been a significant change of the budgeting process that deals with the ability to fight fires itself. >> part of the budget is constrained. these areas are competing for funding. the funding pot has not grown. were continuing to see where there's not enough funding for fire service or bureau of land management. the completely underfunded. to protect and maintain these resources they need more fundi funding. >> i'm hoping you will not cut me off. i have a question to ask c-span when i'm done. a lot of the fires we've been having is because of the overreach of grabbing a plan to

not maintaining it. that's caused by these fires that is been happening. i don't understand why c-span is and more interested in telling the american people because i was sharing son your channel about how much harassment and sexual abuse is rampant throughout the last eight years in almost every department including that department. the secretary has done a good job trying to clean it up. i have two questions. why you don't disclose on the bottom of the screen that you are actually owned by cnn. >> host: that is absolutely not true.

>> your false information. because we're by the cable industry. that's a well-known fact. >> caller: but cnn is your baseline. >> cnn is the cable network not a industry. we'll leave it there. we're going to another caller. >> know the park service came in and put up booths and start collecting fees. nobody shows up. then after several advertisements trying to get people to show up. now nobody goes. seems like it's always the case. especially on the west. on the east coast they want to control what they do in alaska or nebraska. the more force, why don't people keep voting that way make them in their own states?

in the less it seems the federal government owns more land than others. >> the national parks make up a very small slice of our public lands. it's important to remember that we benefit internation benefits from these. they are the basic treasures left. racine development take place across the country. a few places left that we can protect. some point to do everything that we can. contact us, will have checked us in ways to be part of the solution. >> thank you for your time.

>> "washington journal", live everyday with me some policy issues that impact you. on wednesday the trump organization's business conflict of interest. i d.c. convention center. will discuss automotive technology and rideshare services and senator john thing. we'll discuss the field hearing on automotive technology and issues facing lawmakers. kurt myers of the department of transportation shares his view on the approach to driverless vehicles and federal policy. watch live at 7:00 a.m. eastern. join the discussion. >> tonight on c-span2. the senate health committee on

the pandemic act. we'll examine the impact of major weather events on the electric power system of veterans affairs secretary testifies on changes at the virginia. we start at the health education and pensions committee. earlier today doctor tom inglesby brief members on the severity of the flu season in public health funding. this is about two hours. >> will call the hearing to order. owner recognize the chairman of the committee for a statement. >> thank you.