WASHINGTON — The Trump administration proposed cutting nearly 3,000 more positions at the National Park Service in its 2027 budget. The agency has lost nearly a quarter of its staff to buyouts, early retirements and other departures since the administration took office last year, according to an estimate by the National Parks Conservation Assn.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the budget proposal on Capitol Hill, saying the visitor experience in parks can be improved even while spending and staff reductions are made. "All of that's going to help us get this thing in shape, even with an overall reduction," Burgum said.

Sen. Patty Murray rejected that view during the same proceedings. "That is just a recipe for disaster," Murray said.

The National Park Service plans to hire 5,500 seasonal workers and asked Congress to approve funding for those employees to work for nine-month stints rather than six months. A park service spokesperson said staffing decisions are made based on local conditions at each park and that the agency is focused on ensuring parks remain open, accessible, and safe for visitors. About 323 million people visit America's national parks annually, according to the Interior Department.

Cheryl Schreier, retired superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and chair of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, said the reductions that have already occurred presented challenges last season and appear likely to do so again. "Whether the parks will get enough qualified candidates to hire the number of seasonal workers needed is also a really big concern," Schreier said.

The National Park Service discontinued the timed-entry reservation system at Yosemite, Arches and Glacier national parks for the summer season, while keeping the system in place at Rocky Mountain National Park for the peak season. At Yosemite, the elimination of the timed-entry reservation system led to long spring-break lines, with visitors experiencing two-hour waits at the entrance gates. There was insufficient staff to open the visitors center at a lakeside spot in North Cascades National Park in Washington state, and water was shut off at two campgrounds in Death Valley National Park.

The Interior Department instituted a new $100-per-person fee for non-Americans entering 11 of the most popular national parks. The Trump administration has promoted America's 250th birthday in relation to the national parks.