Federal Hiring and Funding Freezes



What is happening: Executive orders have caused freezes in both hiring and government spending, affecting the ability to fill seasonal and permanent positions, as well as purchase essential supplies.

• On January 20th, an Executive Order was issued that no Federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or other applicable law for 90 days.
• On February 26th, an Executive Order was issued that put GSA (General Services Administration) in charge of buying all products and services. As part of this Executive Order, all government credit cards now have a $1 spending limit. No contracting can happen without the approval of Washington.

How it affects our park: The freeze means CRNRA can't buy the necessary materials for maintenance, such as trail repair supplies and restroom cleaning products. Essential services may be delayed or unavailable, affecting both park accessibility and visitor satisfaction. The permanent position hiring freeze has also left the park unable to fill permanent vacant positions at the park. 

Staffing Limitations and Reductions in Force (RIF)



What is happening: Due to recent policy shifts, there are staffing reductions and unfilled positions critical to park operations.

• On February 13, 1,000 probationary NPS employees across the country were let go. At least 3 probationary employees at CRNRA were terminated. On March 13, a federal judge in San Francisco ordered NPS to immediately reinstate probationary employees who were fired en masse in February.

• On February 21 the seasonal hiring freeze was lifted, and our park partner is able to hire their seasonal temporary positions.

• On March 10, NPS eligible employees were offered an early retirement buyout, along with an up to $25,000 bonus. They had to respond by March 26. Employees who took the offer must separate from the National Park Service by May 31st to receive the benefits.

• A memo was sent to Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies on February 26, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This memo instructed Agency Heads to develop and submit Agency Reorganization Plans by March 13. No later than April 14, agencies are directed to embark on “Phase 2,” listing all employees they plan to lay off as well as any proposed relocations.

At this time we are not aware of what changes to expect at CRNRA.

How it affects our park: With fewer staff, daily park services, such as trail maintenance, safety measures, and visitor support, may be delayed or reduced, leading to a diminished experience for those who enjoy the park year-round.

For CNPC, this can also mean delay or a pause on project planning, while our park partner’s capacity is diminished.

Federal Lease Terminations

What is happening:  On February 26th, an Executive Order (link) directed all Federal Agencies to review and send a list of leases to Washington.

The federal government has moved to terminate the lease for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) South Atlanta Water Science Center in Norcross, Georgia. The loss of this office would have a devastating impact on the BacteriAlert program. This partnership project, between the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, United State Geological Survey (USGS), and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), monitors bacteria levels in the Chattahoochee River. For 25 years BacteriAlert has informed communities, outfitters, and visitors to the CRNRA, on real-time water quality data and bacteria estimates.

In July 2023, BacteriAlert provided crucial information in detecting the failure of a wastewater treatment plan that ultimately closed the CRNRA for a short time. Without this program, the public would have had a much harder time knowing of these dangerous bacteria levels and would have potentially been exposed to these higher risk contaminated waters.

How it affects our park:   Without real-time monitoring, those visiting the park will not have data on water quality and bacteria levels to make informed decisions on recreating safely in the Chattahoochee River.

Impact on Key Programs



What is happening:   Several ongoing programs that support education, community outreach, and conservation are facing setbacks due to funding and staffing issues.

How it affects our park: Local businesses and organizations who depend on a vibrant and functioning park system could be affected, and vital community engagement programs may be disrupted, making it harder to maintain connections with the local public.

How to Help

While these challenges may feel overwhelming at times, we believe in the strength of our community and the resilience of CRNRA. The park belongs to all of us—whether you hike its trails, paddle its waters, or simply enjoy its beauty from afar. By coming together, we can make sure the park thrives now and for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to preserving the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Your efforts—whether through advocacy, donations, or simply sharing your passion for the park—are what make this community so special. Together, we will continue to support this beautiful space for years to come!