A few members of Congress are starting to speak out against the indiscriminate firings of some 2,300 Interior Department employees, including 1,000 from the National Park Service.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, says she has "discussed with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum the problems that the department’s hiring freeze creates for Acadia [National Park] because the park would not be able to hire the seasonal employees required to collect entrance fees and perform other essential tasks, such as maintaining trails and providing first responder services to visitors."

“Secretary Burgum has informed me that he has now secured an exception to the hiring freeze that will allow seasonal hiring to proceed," she added Wednesday. "I am continuing to work with the Secretary on the remaining problems caused by the sweeping hiring freeze and the elimination of probationary workers.”

Across the country in Nevada, the state's two Democrats in the U.S. Senate were more outspoken in their criticism of the firings that took place on Valentine's Day.

“The Trump administration has made the chaotic decision to fire thousands of hard-working federal employees who keep Nevadans safe from wildfires and protect their access to clean water,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “The federal government is responsible for managing over 80 percent of the land in Nevada, and our families deserve answers about how this decision will impact their communities.”

“President Trump’s reckless firing of thousands of employees at the Department of the Interior and the United States Forest Service raises serious concerns about the impacts this could have on Nevada’s public lands,” said Sen. Jacky Rosen. “I’m joining Senator Cortez Masto in pushing back and requesting more information from the Trump administration to understand how this will impact ongoing projects across our state.”

Congressional representatives from Utah and Idaho did not respond to Traveler inquiries if they were OK with the terminations and unconcerned how they might impact national park units in their states. Wyoming's delegation also was silent.

In Montana, Scott Rosenzweig, a Democrat in that state's legislature, wrote his congressional delegation to complain about the firings.

"[T]here is a complete lack of transparency regarding what positions in Montana and the surrounding area will be impacted by the cuts that are taking place. As a founder and CEO of several companies, I understand the importance of operating efficiently and being sure every dollar is invested wisely – especially taxpayers’ dollars. Yet, with the recently announced cuts, there is not a clear plan that can help assure taxpayers and certainly my constituents that the Federal assets in our region will continue to be well-managed and operated efficiently. So, my question is simple. What is the plan?" he asked in a letter to U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy and U.S. Reps. Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, all Republicans.

"My specific concerns are the imminent safety concerns associated with exceptionally long entry lines delays at the gateway communities of Yellowstone National Park, including Gardiner, Montana. Public safety associated with the massive buildup of trash and unsanitary public restroom facilities is of great concern," he continued. "Effective traffic management and efficient transportation throughout Yellowstone Park is vital and likely at great risk with these cuts. In short, for lack of a transparent plan, my constituents and current and former employees of Yellowstone National Park are bewildered, concerned and beleaguered with the lack of transparency associated with these recently implemented cuts."