Park Service is preparing for government shutdown
Park Service is preparing for government shutdown
By IRENE NOLAN
By IRENE NOLAN
By IRENE NOLAN
The National Park Service is preparing for a possible shutdown of government services tomorrow night — Friday, April 8, at midnight.
There has been only one brief public comment on the shutdown from the Park Service’s Outer Banks Group, which includes the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Wright Brothers National Monument, and Fort Raleigh.
“The National Park Service remains hopeful that there will not be a government shutdown,” according to a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “However, as President Obama stated, in the unfortunate event there is a shutdown, the National Park System will be closed.”
This afternoon, Cyndy Holda, public affairs specialist for the Outer Banks Group, said she had no more information on what exactly will be shut down if Congress does not reach agreement on the current year budget or an extension of the series of continuing resolutions that have kept the government operating for the past six months.
At a minimum, Park Service Visitor Centers would probably be shut down and any events scheduled in the park would be cancelled. Campgrounds also would probably close.
Though some Park Service law enforcement rangers are deemed essential personnel and will continue to work, it is unclear if the seashore beaches will remain open.
During the last government shutdown in 1995, all ramps to the seashore beaches were closed and chained.
Also unclear is whether the park’s natural resource staff will continue to monitor nesting piping plovers and other shorebirds.
Holda said today that she has had “hundreds” of phone calls from folks wondering if the beaches and park will be open, but had nothing to tell them yet.
She said she expects the Park Service to issue a more definitive and complete statement about mid-day on Friday.
A park shutdown – and especially a shutdown of the beaches – could take a toll on Hatteras and Ocracoke island businesses, which gearing up for an influx of tourists for the Easter holidays.
More information will be available tomorrow.
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