National Parks’ New Guidance on Incident Reporting

Recent incidents in national parks have raised questions about the policies surrounding public communication. On Friday, a 17-year-old girl tragically drowned after slipping into a river at Sequoia National Park. On Saturday, a 23-year-old man lost his life in Yosemite after falling over a waterfall. The discovery of a body in the desert at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument compounded the weekend’s somber events. Additionally, a motorcycle accident claimed a life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the same timeframe.

In light of these events, a new guidance has been issued for park staff. This guidance instructs staff not to confirm deaths, the severity of injuries, or other pertinent details. The decision has sparked discussion about transparency and the public’s right to information.

The need for such guidance appears tied to maintaining a controlled narrative about incidents within national parks. However, the policy has prompted debates about the public’s need for immediate and accurate information in times of crises.