FRITCH, Texas (KVII) — The National Park Service headquarters at Lake Meredith is first casualty of cuts Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in the Texas Panhandle.
According to DOGE’s website, the annual lease for the building at 419 E. Broadway Street in Fritch is $107,586. Musk claims the move will save the federal government $582,759.
The office — which is scheduled to close Aug. 31 — serves as the “central quarters for resource protection, wildland fire, public safety, access and enjoyment,” according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
ABC 7 News reached out to Eric Smith, the Superintendent of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, about the situation. Smith said he would not be able to comment.
ABC 7 News reached out to Congressman Ronny Jackson to ask if he supports the closure and what will happen to the NPS employees at that office. We’ll let you know when we hear back.
NPCA said 9% of the park services staff have already been lost through firings and resignations. Now, lease terminations by DOGE are putting the Lake Meredith field office and 33 others on the brink of closure. The only other one in Texas is in San Antonio.