Full Breakdown
Interior Blocks $25.9 Million in National Park Service Partner Agreements
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On August 7 the U.S. Department of the Interior disapproved 133 partner agreements covering 61 parks, offices and programs across all seven National Park Service regions. The disapprovals halted the release of $25.9 million that had already been secured through congressional appropriations, existing federal programs and internal funding. The agreements, submitted by park staff and external partners, were the final step before funds could be transferred.
Scope and Funding Impact
The blocked projects span fire-preparation, hazardous-tree removal, archaeological surveys, endangered-species recovery, trail maintenance and seasonal staffing. The Center for Western Priorities compiled an interactive map that lists each park or office, the partner organization, the dollar amount and the National Park Service’s written explanation of the disapproval. The dataset reflects the Financial Assistance Submission Tracker as of September 9, 2026. Seven of the original 140 requests have since moved to another status and are excluded, leaving 133 active disapprovals.
Official Statements & Responses
National Park Service staff reported receiving only a brief notation in the records: “Disapproved by DOI,” with no further justification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every one of these projects had its funding secured, and parks were counting on the work getting done. Blocking these agreements did not save a dollar. It pushed the work down the road and likely made it even more costly in the future,” — Kate Groetzinger, priorities communications director