Published June 25, 2026 04:34 pm
A recently revealed internal memo allegedly prohibits National Park Service (NPS) employees from publicly reporting the severity of deaths or injuries that occur in America’s national parks, according to a new report. Experts say this change in transparency not only sets a dangerous precedent for park management but could also put visitors at risk.
According to a recent report published by Washington PostThe Department of the Interior (DOI), which oversees the NPS, distributed a memo to employees in December. Park employees and those speaking to the media were reportedly banned from informing the public about deaths and some injuries at 435 NPS sites across the country.
in an email to OutsideA DOI spokesperson said, “The story being presented is false and reflects a significant misrepresentation of the Department’s guidance.”
“Interior is committed to providing timely and accurate information while ensuring that families are notified first. The guidance was developed to create a more consistent approach to incident communications across the department and is not intended to conceal deaths or delay information,” the spokesperson wrote.
He added, “We continue to provide public safety information, statements, news releases and incident updates as appropriate, while respecting investigative processes, privacy considerations, notifications of next of kin and, in some cases, requests by family members not to release identifying information.”
However, some experts say the change is unnecessary and could impact park visitors.
Bill Wade, executive director of the advocacy group, said, “This is a significant change in reporting requirements, and we do not know or understand the reason or motivation for the change.” National Park Rangers Associationtold Outside. Wade spent 34 years working for the NPS at sites including Mount Rainier and Yosemite. He said the change could reduce public trust in the agency and harm its reputation.
He added, “In the past, the NPS has consistently done a good job of providing measured, incremental reporting on deaths and not speculated, nor provided relevant details that should not be reported until the next of kin is notified or investigative requirements are met.”
In the past week, the NPS failed to publicly report a series of deaths in areas under its jurisdiction; After this a 23 year old youth died fall from waterfall In Yosemite, and a teenage girl Drowned in Sequoia National Park During the walk. Outside But no record of any incident was found nps website.
what does the policy say
according to Washington PostThe internal policy states, “Internal status will not confirm any deaths,” and that the policy applies to “all internal bureaus and offices” as well as “all internal communications involving deaths, suspected deaths, serious injuries or emotionally sensitive incidents.”
Only “proper authorities” can confirm a death, the outlet said.
“The interior will not confirm the severity of the injuries,” the memo reportedly states. Washington Post. “Internal can only state that a person was transported and the mode of transportation. No additional medical information can be released.”
Employees can confirm that an incident occurred, the general location, the department is responding, and the investigation is ongoing; Additional information will be shared when appropriate, Washington Post Said.
The memo further states that the new policy applies to “all Interior bureaus and offices,” the publication reported.
Potential threats to park privacy
Transparency can save lives, and keeping park deaths quiet can put visitors at risk.
“In the past, NPS has often used these reports to not only provide accurate, truthful information, but also, when appropriate, to reinforce visitor safety and event-related risk-awareness considerations,” Wade said.
Search and rescue expert Dan Whitten said the decision may be in response to the extent of land NPS oversees and how deaths and injuries are investigated, which varies considerably. In a national park with specific jurisdiction like Yosemite, where only federal law applies, Whitten said federal officials are responsible for all investigations.
“In other national parks, such as Joshua Tree, responsibility for the investigation falls to either the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner or Riverside County, depending on where the injury or death occurred,” he said. “If there has been an issue with federal employees releasing information without coordinating through the local agency that has jurisdiction, I can understand that could create problems.”
Releasing information through different agencies is also less efficient, Whitten said.
“While the NPS provides general information that an incident has occurred and an emergency response is taking place, the information will still be available, just not as efficiently,” he said.
