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Secretarial Order Supporting Gateway Communities Issued by the Department of the Interior

June 26, 2025

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom McClintock lauded the secretarial order signed yesterday by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, ordering the National Park Service to enhance coordination between the parks and the Gateway communities that rely on them.

At signing ceremonies at the Department of Interior, McClintock said “Our gateway communities depend on tourism for a large part of their economies.  Many make their livelihoods by making visitor stays as comfortable and enjoyable as humanly possible.  They comprise people who have spent their whole lives in and around Yosemite National Park and know it far better than the park employees who rotate in and out every few years.  And yet, one of the greatest frustrations they have expressed to me is that they feel largely ignored and excluded from decisions that directly affect the park, its visitors, their local businesses and their communities.

“The secretarial order signed today changes that relationship fundamentally and directs park management to work in close consultation and partnership with the gateway communities.  On behalf of those communities, I cannot thank the Secretary enough for listening to our concerns and acting so decisively on them.”

McClintock continued, “I am confident that this secretarial order ushers in a new era of cooperation between the park and our local communities.  Secretary Burgum has said that on his future visits, he intends also to meet with the gateway communities to get their candid assessments of management decisions and employee performance at the park and to get their ideas on how to improve hospitality and amenities.  This is a breath of fresh air.”

The secretarial order includes recognizing gateway communities as key stakeholders in System Unit management and planning and fostering transparent, ongoing communication between System Units and gateway leadership. 

The order also designates a gateway community coordinator at each System Unit to serve as the primary point of contact for all matters related to State, Tribal, and local government engagement, regional coordination, and community partnership development.

A copy of the Secretarial order is attached.

 

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Congressman McClintock Shakes Secretaory Burgum's Hand