Trump administration approves plan for restroom cleanup, trash collection at National Parks

As the partial government shutdown enters Day 16, the restrooms at National Parks are going to be cleaned. Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is moving to authorize the use of collected recreation fees at National Park Service sites to pay for basic operational support, which had been halted due to the shutdown. “The directive provides for the use of recreation fee funds, where available, to clean up and maintain: restrooms and sanitation, trash collection, road maintenance — which includes plowing, campground operations, law enforcement and emergency operations, and staff entrance gates as necessary to provide critical safety information,” Bernhardt wrote in a Sunday letter to Sen. Steve Daines. The Montana Republican had written to Bernhardt the previous day seeking an adjustment to the Interior Department’s implementation of the shutdown at National Park Services sites. Montana is home to two of the most visited national parks in the country — Yellowstone and Glacier.  Bernhardt’s letter said the Office of Management and Budget approved the revised shutdown plan late Saturday. The Washington Post first reported the shift in Park Service policy. Also watch: Schumer says Trump holding federal employees ‘hostage’ Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone or your Android.