July 9, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: The Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests allow residents and tourists to experience the Sixth District’s exceptional natural environment. Each year visitors enjoy recreational opportunities and contribute to the region’s economy.
The park welcomed 1.7 million visitors last year, produced $156 million for the local economy, and supported 1,351 jobs in the area. The two national forests, spanning eight million acres, are a popular destination for over 1.5 million visitors annually. They offer a wide range of activities: hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATV trips, camping, hunting, and fishing which generate $69 million in annual revenue.
President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” endorsed by Congressman Ben Cline, will reduce funding for parks and forests. This spring, the Park Service fired 15 employees at Shenandoah Park, then reinstated them until July, leaving their status uncertain. The Forest Service fired 18 probationary workers in February. While these dismissals may seem insignificant, they affect fee collection, safety, maintenance of trails and roads, fire prevention, and other essential activities for underfunded agencies with tight budgets. The reductions will lead to fewer visitors, decreased services, and damage to the region’s economy.
These actions that join the list of budget cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” supported by our representative, Ben Cline, diminish our quality of life. The effects of his votes will become clear as we move toward November 2026 and our opportunity to replace him with a candidate who will represent the critical interests of the Sixth District. FRANK SETTLE Lexington
