The superintendent of Yosemite National Park on Thursday announced that he is stepping down amid an ongoing federal investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment in which employees, particularly women, are bullied, belittled and marginalized.
In a terse statement, Don Neubacher, 63, who has led a crown jewel of the nation's national park system for six years, said: "I regret leaving at this time, but want to do what's best for Yosemite National Park. It is an iconic area that is world renowned and deserves special attention.
"Our employees, our park and our partners are some of the best in the nation," said Neubacher, whose resignation is effective Nov. 1.
Neubacher's departure comes as his administration is the target of a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform examination of misconduct and mismanagement at the National Park Service.
"The National Park Service is taking a comprehensive approach to address and prevent sexual harassment and hostile work environments," Andrew Munoz, regional spokesman for the park service, said. "That means promoting an inclusive and respectful culture that does not accept discrimination, harassment, or retaliation."
"In order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment at Yosemite National Park," Munoz said, "the National Park Service acted to move Don Neubacher from his role as superintendent of Yosemite National Park."
"The investigation is ongoing," he added, "and there are not yet any findings or conclusions relating to the allegations."
Neubacher successfully led the park through controversial efforts to protect the Merced River and Tuolumne River, and to restore the Mariposa Grove. The park recently added the 400-acre Ackerson Meadow to Yosemite, and has restored populations of species including western pond turtles, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and red-legged frogs.
But his tenure was marked by complaints of misconduct and mismanagement that spurred investigations by the Office of Inspector General and the House committee.
In testimony before Congress on Sept. 22, Kelly Martin, chief of fire and aviation management at Yosemite and one of dozens of women who came forward with stories of a hostile work environment, said, "In Yosemite National Park today, dozens of people, the majority of them are women, are being bullied, belittled, disenfranchised and marginalized from their roles as dedicated professionals.
"My professional experience here at Yosemite," added Martin, who began her career in the park service in 1984, "has been one of implicit gender bias that has manifested itself in self-doubt about my professional competency, accomplishments and qualifications."
During a hearing on Sept. 22, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, asked Michael Reynolds, deputy director of operations at the National Park Service, how many employees had been fired in connection with complaints of sexual harassment, misconduct or other issues.
Reynolds said he did not have "any recollection at this point."
