Document byzjz1aV3K0nLLqz9En60mdeO

From: "Clarkson, Kristin (Richmond)" <Kristin.Clarkson@mail.house.gov> To: Daniel Mencher <daniel_mencher@appro.senate.gov> Cc: Charles M Dankert <charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov>, Melissa Zimmerman <Melissa_Zimmerman@appro.senate.gov>, "Culp, Rita" <Rita.Culp@mail.house.gov>, Oluwarotimi M Abimbola <oluwarotimi_abimbola@ios.doi.gov>, Andrea L Brandon <andrea_brandon@ios.doi.gov>, James M Nelson <james_m_nelson@ios.doi.gov>, Denise A Flanagan <Denise_Flanagan@ios.doi.gov>, Sarah Jorgenson <Sarah_Jorgenson@appro.senate.gov>, "Peery, Sarah" <Sarah.Peery@mail.house.gov> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: National Parks Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:46:38 +0000 Importance: Normal Adding Sarah from my team for awareness. On Feb 22, 2025, at 9:41AM, Mencher, Daniel (Appropriations) <daniel_mencher@appro.senate.gov> wrote: Charlie - Some of the Qs I have related to seasonal hires and the recent firings are below. Apologies for not sending this yesterday as I said I would. My colleagues may have additional Qs. I realize that this is an evolving situation and will require ongoing conversations. As such, these asks are for data as of right now. We understand things will change over the coming weeks and months. But I am hopeful that given the potential severity of this problem we do not get a lot of "it's too soon to tell" or "we are working it" or "we'll get back to you." Our members are keenly aware that there is a fierce urgency of now to address this before it is too late to really avoid the damage that could be done both in the short- and long-term. While they are hopeful the worst case scenario does not come to fruition they are also looking to DOI for assurances that everything is being done to avoid - or at least mitigate - what could be quite the calamity. We look forward to Monday's conversation. Thank you. Daniel *How many employees were fired (by park and position)? Of the Alaska parks employees, how many were ANILCA hires? *What additional firings are planned? *How many NPS employees took the deferred retirement (by park and position)? *Please confirm that all seasonal positions have been approved by OPM. *What are the current projections for seasonal hiring? How does that compare to prior seasonal hires at this point in the year? Put another way, how far behind schedule are you? *Will the RIFs impact NPS' ability to on-board seasonal hires? *What is the plan for getting seasonal hires whose offered were rescinded back through the process? Do people have to reapply? If "some" then which positions? Are all jobs posted on USAJobs.gov? *What is the plan if NPS does is not able to bring back all the people whose offers were rescinded? *How will NPS prioritize what seasonal hires it does have by park, i.e. how will it pick winners and losers? *Please provide a list of what services will / will not be provided by park? *Will NPS have to contract for services that would otherwise be performed by seasonal hires if it cannot hire people? If so, please provide an analysis of what the cost of seasonal employees is compared to what the contract costs would be? *What is the timeline for making decisions about decreasing operational capacities? *Do any of the RIFs impact NPS' ability to implement the disaster supplemental funding? If so, to what extent? *We have heard reports that fired employees are having trouble accessing their employment files? How is DOI and NPS working to ensure that employees have access to this information? *What appeal options do fired employees have? Daniel A. Mencher Sierra Club v. Dept of Interior - 3:25-cv-05375-PHK 0000201 SC_EVERSPLIT0013167 Majority Clerk - Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, & Related Agencies Senate Committee on Appropriations From: Dankert, Charles M <charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2025 8:09 AM To: Mencher, Daniel (Appropriations) <Daniel_Mencher@appro.senate.gov>; Zimmerman, Melissa (Appropriations) <Melissa_Zimmerman@appro.senate.gov> Cc: 'Clarkson, Kristin (Richmond)' <Kristin.Clarkson@mail.house.gov>; Rita Culp <Rita.Culp@mail.house.gov>; Abimbola, Oluwarotimi M <oluwarotimi_abimbola@ios.doi.gov>; Brandon, Andrea L <andrea_brandon@ios.doi.gov>; Nelson, James M <james_m_nelson@ios.doi.gov>; Flanagan, Denise A <Denise_Flanagan@ios.doi.gov> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: National Parks Thank you, Daniel. Please send invite to me for in-person meeting once time is confirmed and I will coordinate any additional DOI participation. From: Mencher, Daniel (Appropriations) <Daniel_Mencher@appro.senate.gov> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2025 7:41 AM To: Dankert, Charles M <charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov>; Zimmerman, Melissa (Appropriations) <Melissa_Zimmerman@appro.senate.gov> Cc: 'Clarkson, Kristin (Richmond)' <Kristin.Clarkson@mail.house.gov>; Rita Culp <Rita.Culp@mail.house.gov>; Abimbola, Oluwarotimi M <oluwarotimi_abimbola@ios.doi.gov>; Brandon, Andrea L <andrea_brandon@ios.doi.gov>; Nelson, James M <james_m_nelson@ios.doi.gov>; Flanagan, Denise A <Denise_Flanagan@ios.doi.gov> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: National Parks Thanks Charlie. If 11a Monday works for you and my colleagues, let's go with then. My preference would be in person (again, assuming that works for my colleagues as well). I will send over some topics/Qs tomorrow, since it I has just dawned on me that today is Thursday and not Friday. Thank you for making yourself available to discuss. Daniel From: Dankert, Charles M <charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2025 4:54 AM To: Zimmerman, Melissa (Appropriations) <Melissa_Zimmerman@appro.senate.gov>; Mencher, Daniel (Appropriations) <Daniel_Mencher@appro.senate.gov> Cc: 'Clarkson, Kristin (Richmond)' <Kristin.Clarkson@mail.house.gov>; Rita Culp <Rita.Culp@mail.house.gov>; Abimbola, Oluwarotimi M <oluwarotimi_abimbola@ios.doi.gov>; Brandon, Andrea L <andrea_brandon@ios.doi.gov>; Nelson, James M <james_m_nelson@ios.doi.gov>; Flanagan, Denise A <Denise_Flanagan@ios.doi.gov> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: National Parks Hi Daniel - Thanks for your email. Can we schedule for Monday (2/24)? Please let me know what time is best and what information you would like on these topics. I am currently available anytime on Monday (2/24) besides 730930AM and can meet in-person or host a call. Charlie Dankert Senior Advisor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget U.S. Department of the Interior 202.568.4745 From: Zimmerman, Melissa (Appropriations) <Melissa_Zimmerman@appro.senate.gov> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 10:40 PM To: Mencher, Daniel (Appropriations) <Daniel_Mencher@appro.senate.gov>; Dankert, Charles M <charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov> Sierra Club v. Dept of Interior - 3:25-cv-05375-PHK 0000202 SC_EVERSPLIT0013168 Cc: 'Clarkson, Kristin (Richmond)' <Kristin.Clarkson@mail.house.gov>; Rita Culp <Rita.Culp@mail.house.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: National Parks This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding. Thanks Daniel. I would like to join. From: Mencher, Daniel (Appropriations) <Daniel_Mencher@appro.senate.gov> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 10:17 PM To: 'Charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov' <Charles_dankert@ios.doi.gov> Cc: 'Clarkson, Kristin (Richmond)' <Kristin.Clarkson@mail.house.gov>; Rita Culp <Rita.Culp@mail.house.gov>; Zimmerman, Melissa (Appropriations) <Melissa_Zimmerman@appro.senate.gov> Subject: National Parks Charlie - I would like a call with DOI and NPS tomorrow but no later than Monday to understand what is going on with the seasonal hires, RIFs, etc., and how the Department is addressing the issues. There is bicameral and bipartisan concern about what is happening (or not) and that is likely to grow as we are already reading in the media reports of impacts. If we need to elevate, please let me know. I am cc'ing my fellow clerks for awareness and should they wish to join. Thank you. Daniel Daniel A. Mencher Majority Clerk - Subcommittee on Interior and Environment Senate Committee on Appropriations Sierra Club v. Dept of Interior - 3:25-cv-05375-PHK 0000203 SC_EVERSPLIT0013169