Dear Director Jarvis:

As you know, the Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the National Park Service's ("NPS" or "Park Service") preparation for and activities during the recent lapse in appropriations and shutdown of the federal government, including the process used for determining which employees were exempt from furlough; the decision to limit public access to open-air monuments, memorials, and parks in the Washington, D.C., region and elsewhere; the related closure of concessionaires and special-use permit holders who operate on Park Service lands.

On October 2, 20 13, a letter was sent directing the Park Service to preserve documents potentially responsive to the Committee's oversight interests and indicating additional oversight could be expected. A joint oversight hearing of this Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was held October 16,2013 to discuss these issues. Your participation at the hearing was appreciated, but your testimony left a number of important questions unresolved. At that hearing, you agreed to provide follow-up information about the planning for and implementation of the shutdown by the Park Service.

Read the entire letter HERE.