It looks like the National Park Service doesn’t know how to have fun as they’ve already denied a request to have fireworks at Mount Rushmore on this year’s Fourth of July.
It was GOP Gov Kristi Noem who requested the fireworks to be part of a Fourth of July celebration, but the National Park Service wasted no time in telling her no and denying the request completely. However, the reason for their denial was that they were concerned about drought conditions and if it could lead to a wildfire. There was also concern and opposition from Native American tribes, said a report on The Hill.
“Mount Rushmore is the best place in America to celebrate our nation’s birthday – I just wish President Biden could see that,” Noem said. “Last year, the President hypocritically held a fireworks celebration in Washington, D.C., while denying us our own event. This year, it looks like they are planning to do the same.
“NPS announced this denial less than 24 hours after we reminded the court that this year’s permit application was still pending,” she added. “Many of the reasons presented for their denial have been previously addressed, indicating that these reasons are not in good faith. We will move forward with our litigation and urge the court to help us come to a speedy resolution.”
Furthermore, there was supposed to be a celebration in 2020, breaking a 10-year gap for the even, but then it was denied in 2021. Noem ended up suing over the denial of the 2021 celebration and that court case is still pending. It will likely be heard by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.