Officials at two national monuments in Nebraska are reducing staff and eliminating programming due to federal budget cuts.
The automatic, across-the-board cuts have affected Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice and Scotts Bluff National Monument in Gering.
Homestead Superintendent Mark Engler says five percent, or $62,000, has been taken from the park’s annual budget of about $1.2 million. Scotts Bluff Superintendent Ken Mabery says the park is losing five percent of its annual budget of about $1 million.
Homestead’s cuts include a popular campfire series, and someĀ grounds keepingĀ and janitorial services. Scotts Bluff is cutting some of its summer staff and shortening its hours.
Both Engler and Mabery say the cuts could affect how many people visit the park.