Congresswoman Kiggans presses Interior Department on lifeguard hiring freeze at Chincoteague

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) has called on U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to address a hiring freeze that she says is jeopardizing public safety at one of Virginia’s most visited coastal destinations.

In a letter sent to Secretary Burgum following his testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee earlier this month, Kiggans expressed concern over the inability of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge — part of the Assateague Island National Seashore — to hire seasonal lifeguards ahead of the busy summer season. The refuge, located in Virginia’s Second Congressional District, draws more than 3.2 million visitors annually.

During the committee hearing, Kiggans raised the issue with Secretary Burgum, who reportedly assured her that seasonal employees such as lifeguards would be exempt from the current federal hiring freeze. However, she noted that local officials in Chincoteague continue to face significant challenges in staffing these critical public safety roles.

“That is not the reality on the ground in Chincoteague, and the park remains unable to fill these positions,” Kiggans wrote in her letter. She added that the town and its residents are increasingly concerned about the impact on visitor safety during the peak tourism season.

Kiggans formally requested clarification from the Department of the Interior on three key points: the scope and exemptions of the current hiring freeze; reasons for the ongoing difficulty in hiring lifeguards despite supposed exemptions; and a timeline for when the issue will be resolved.

“Swimmers on Assateague Island’s beautiful beaches are facing a safety crisis. Currently, there is a critical lack of lifeguards on the Island, including at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. This is deeply concerning, as rip currents and strong surf can pose a serious threat to swimmers. In 2024 alone, there were 24 rescues by Assateague lifeguards. I respectfully urge the Department of the Interior to prioritize the protection of human life and immediately address the absence of lifeguards, before tragedy occurs.”

The Congresswoman emphasized the urgency of the matter and asked for a prompt response from the agency.