During an Earth Day celebration, President Donald Trump announced that national parks around the country would open back up.
To help slow the spread of the virus, many national parks around the country closed. However, on Wednesday, Trump said, “Thanks to our significant progress against the invisible enemy, I am pleased to announce that, in line with my administration’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, we will begin to reopen our national parks and public lands for the American people to enjoy.”
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said his department would coordinate with governors to plan a gradual reopening of the parks to ensure that it is done safely.
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President @realDonaldTrump, @VP and I are committed to working with governors and local public health officials to gradually reopen our National Parks in a safe manner for the American people to once again enjoy. #NationalParkWeek pic.twitter.com/MaUObBJtRK
— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) April 22, 2020
Additionally, Trump went on to say that the U.S. has the “cleanest air and cleanest water anywhere on the planet Earth.”
In a message on marking the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Trump touted his administration’s environmental efforts, “We are working hard to remove trash from our oceans, accelerate cleanups at Superfund sites, and revitalize communities through our Brownfields program.”
However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) slammed what she called Trump’s “dirty, special interest agenda,” which she said is “causing to public health and the planet.”
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump also planted a tree on the White House lawn “as a sign of our dedication” to protecting the environment.
Trump’s announcement comes as several states have announced plans to begin to reopen their economies.