VALENTINE, Neb. - Despite a previous listing on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) website suggesting a lease cancellation, the National Park Service (NPS) will remain in its Valentine office through at least its lease expiration of Sept. 2026. The update was shared during Thursday’s Niobrara Council meeting. While NPS representatives were not present due to national press restrictions, Niobrara National Scenic River Superintendent Susan Cook provided updates in an email to the council.

According to the email, staffing at the local office remains unchanged despite national budget cuts. In fact, the site has added three seasonal employees and two interns this year.

As News Channel Nebraska has previously reported, NPS has been unable to finalize a new cooperative agreement with the Niobrara Council—first delayed by a state audit, then stalled by national funding constraints. That agreement provides critical support to the council.

The final $20,000 payment from last year was never received, and this year’s $100,000 remains in limbo.

“It’s tough that we can’t visit about the cooperative agreement,” Niobrara Council Chair Wade Hollenbeck said at the Thursday meeting.

Hollenbeck and Executive Director Kalli Kieborz also shared details from a recent trip to the state capitol, where they spoke with lawmakers about the funding gap.

“Just as the Park Service is going day-by-day, so are the congressional delegation,” said Council Member Mike Murphy. “At least we’ve made our state and national lawmakers aware of it.”

While NPS hasn’t been able to move forward on a cooperative agreement, the organization is going to pay for the council’s stream gage.