BY JIMMY SHOCKLEY, Eastern Shore Post —
The federal government is not providing lifeguards at Assateague Island National Seashore, federal and local officials say, as part of budgetary cutbacks.
In addition, there was no staffing at the entry booths at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge over Memorial Day weekend, another apparent sign of federal cuts.
The national seashore and wildlife refuge are co-located on Assateague Island. A spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the refuge, attributed the lack of lifeguards to federal budget cuts.
“As part of the broader efforts led by the Department of the Interior under President Trump’s leadership, we are implementing necessary reforms to ensure fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and government accountability,” the spokesman said in a statement provided by Garrett Peterson of the service’s communications office.
Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden said in a social media post that “currently, there are no plans for the U.S. Park Service to provide lifeguards for Assateague Beach this summer.”
She continued: “I don’t have to tell you what devastating effects that could have.”
In an interview afterward, Bowden said, “To not have lifeguards this year is playing with fire.”
“People need to understand that lifeguards are key to protecting and saving lives and serve as the intermediates between victims and EMS when needed,” she said.
Assateague’s beach is one of Chincoteague Island’s top visitor destinations. But it features large waves and strong currents, and in the past, has usually been staffed with lifeguards at peak hours.
The refuge’s toll booths were also closed over Memorial Day weekend, with signs asking visitors to pay gate fees at a self-service station.
That seemed like a temporary issue.
“They are there today,” said Bob Leffel, the deputy refuge manager on Tuesday, June 3, referring to the staff in the toll booths.
Trips to the refuge and seashore require a $10 daily pass, a $25 weekly pass, or a $45 annual pass.
The lack of lifeguards, however, concerned Bowden more.
There’s “no sense in the political games being played when people’s lives could be in danger,” she said.
