Government Shut-Down

RoWest · 12-17-2018, 11:06 AM

This is not a political statement!
Check your travel plans for the possibility of a shut-down starting December 21st at all government facilities. In the past, all access to federal parks and forest camps was restricted.
I'm glad I'm not flying over the holidays. Cramped airports, full planes, and now the possibility of further chaos.
From their site: At all national parks, Park Service staff have been directed to close visitor centers, museums, memorials, full-service restrooms and other indoor structures that they manage. Educational programs and special events like weddings will be canceled and permits for special activities are likely to be rescinded if they require the assistance of park personnel. Outdoor areas such as roads, hiking trails and scenic overlooks that were open at the time of the shutdown are likely to remain open to the public. Areas that require maintenance or are deemed high-risk, such as areas that are avalanche-prone or impassable due to snow, are likely to be closed.

brettt · 12-17-2018, 12:31 PM

At the deficit ran up in November, we should save 6 Billion per day in our tax dollars! That's a good thing.

spoon059 · 12-17-2018, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettt

At the deficit ran up in November, we should save 6 Billion per day in our tax dollars! That's a good thing.

Doubtful. Most employees get back pay at the end of the shutdown anyways, so they are essentially getting paid vacation. Any money "saved" on programs will be spent later when they eventually do fulfill those programs. A shutdown is just grandstanding on one side or the other...

2edgesword · 12-17-2018, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoon059

Doubtful. Most employees get back pay at the end of the shutdown anyways, so they are essentially getting paid vacation. Any money "saved" on programs will be spent later when they eventually do fulfill those programs. A shutdown is just grandstanding on one side or the other...

I don't think that is a guarantee. Congress will have to pass legislation to insure they are paid. If the shutdown last a few days that may not be an issue. If it should last weeks or months it may become a bigger hurtle.

Old skipper · 12-17-2018, 03:14 PM

Sure wish I had been part of that most one year I was part of the government layoff and lost six weeks pay and could not work any jobs in the same fields as my government job.

WinnieView · 12-17-2018, 06:43 PM

Let's keep this on topic please regarding 'potentially closed campgrounds', so that the discussion can remain in place.

SloPoke · 12-17-2018, 08:54 PM

Don't hold your breath... Many states were (and are still) burned when they came up with millions of State Dollars to keep their National Parks open during a previous shutdown. Utah has 5 National Parks, and still has not gotten reimbursed for keeping the National Parks open. Word on the street here... not falling for that again!

Expect them to be closed, and be prepared for the BLM gates to be locked on dump facilities in places like Quartzsite too.

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=27336350

wags999 · 12-17-2018, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoWest

This is not a political statement!
Check your travel plans for the possibility of a shut-down starting December 21st at all government facilities. In the past, all access to federal parks and forest camps was restricted.
I'm glad I'm not flying over the holidays. Cramped airports, full planes, and now the possibility of further chaos.
From their site: At all national parks, Park Service staff have been directed to close visitor centers, museums, memorials, full-service restrooms and other indoor structures that they manage. Educational programs and special events like weddings will be canceled and permits for special activities are likely to be rescinded if they require the assistance of park personnel. Outdoor areas such as roads, hiking trails and scenic overlooks that were open at the time of the shutdown are likely to remain open to the public. Areas that require maintenance or are deemed high-risk, such as areas that are avalanche-prone or impassable due to snow, are likely to be closed.

75% of the government is funded through next September...Air Travel should not be affected. Most of what "we see" as the government will not have any issues, they are all funded.

**Crabman** · 12-17-2018, 09:24 PM

Here's what the members posted 5 years ago during a shutdown.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ced-15867.html

SloPoke · 12-17-2018, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

75% of the government is funded through next September...Air Travel should not be affected. Most of what "we see" as the government will not have any issues, they are all funded.

Where do we get to read this from an official source? Can you provide a link that we can read the fine details of what 75% is impacted and what 75% is not?

namusmc65 · 12-18-2018, 07:06 AM

Interesting as we have reservations at a COE campground during this time frame and in fact, are leaving tomorrow. I will have to call today and see what their plan is. We (meaning me) always use the bath house facilities and I would hate to see them locked up.

namusmc65 · 12-18-2018, 07:24 AM

Just got off the phone with the Corps of Engineers Project Management Office and R. Shaeffer Heard Campground will be open and all reservations will be honored.

**norty1** · 12-18-2018, 07:27 AM

Last time it happened, we were in a private cg. The gov. cg's occupants were told to leave and the gates chained up.. all personnel and hosts were put on leave for the duration.

Bassdogs · 12-18-2018, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

Last time it happened, we were in a private cg. The gov. cg's occupants were told to leave and the gates chained up.. all personnel and hosts were put on leave for the duration.

Absolutely what we experienced at COE CG during past shutdown. All campers were told to leave the following morning and the gate was locked. In an other situation we experienced we were in the Smokies and all facilities were closed although the park was open since there are regular hwys running thru it. There is a short parkway on the Tn side several miles east of the main entrance. The 2 entrances to the parkway were closed off with barricades set up by park rangers. Interesting in that there are no services along the few miles, just parking vistas but they still had government staff available to block it off. Essencial personnel I guess.

Tommyjay · 12-26-2018, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloPoke

Don't hold your breath... Many states were (and are still) burned when they came up with millions of State Dollars to keep their National Parks open during a previous shutdown. Utah has 5 National Parks, and still has not gotten reimbursed for keeping the National Parks open. Word on the street here... not falling for that again!

Expect them to be closed, and be prepared for the BLM gates to be locked on dump facilities in places like Quartzsite too.

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=27336350

Im at BLM La Posa south and its open, but the payment/check-in facility is closed. Used the blue boy dump this morning and saw that the water station, and full dump station is open. The trash bins are packed, but it could mean that they are behind because of Christmas. Ill try and keep the forum posted about any changes.

namusmc65 · 12-26-2018, 02:59 PM

Trash bins are packed at R. Shaeffer Heard COE Campground at West Point, GA. Gates are no longer manned by personnel. All reservations have to be done online or by phone through ReserveAmerica. They no longer accept cash payment at any of these COE campgrounds. We just completed our stay for a week and a couple restrooms were open in the one loop that was open. Really nice park.

edatlanta · 12-27-2018, 06:34 AM

I am currently a host at a COE Campground and we are open for business. It was confirmed to me on 12-16-18 that we are already funded and it is business as usual.

All of our reservations are handled at www.recreation.gov and NOT at www.reserveamerica.com. This change happened effective 10-5-2018. Reserveamerica can not reserve any federal property reservation as of this date.

We also are credit/debit card only. Technically this change doesn't happen until 1-1-2019, but we have already started it just to keep things simple. Handling cash with the government is a pain.

For those traveling we are approx 35 miles west of Tuscaloosa, AL off of I20/I59 exit #40. Then nine miles to the campground on AL Hwy 14 east.

Come see us, we love walk ins and we have plenty of sites available this time of year. All sites have 20, 30, 50 amp and water. All sites are concrete pads with asphalt to the main road. We have a dump station on site and a very nice heated and a/c bathhouse with coin op laundry.

**norty1** · 12-27-2018, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edatlanta

I am currently a host at a COE Campground and we

Ed: What kind of weather do you have there this time of year?

**norty1** · 12-27-2018, 09:09 AM

I am sure that as stated some agencies have prepared for these shutdowns by funding forward. The VA has also done this to prevent services for veterans from being affected. Last time it seemed like the powers that be went out of the way to make it difficult for us average joes.

SloPoke · 12-27-2018, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

I am sure that as stated some agencies have prepared for these shutdowns by funding forward. The VA has also done this to prevent services for veterans from being affected. Last time it seemed like the powers that be went out of the way to make it difficult for us average joes.

That sure seems to be the case this time... Our National Parks are still open, but without some services. A stark contrast to the 2013 shutdown that closed all of our parks.

Arches Website states: "For most parks, there will be no National Park Service-provided visitor services, such as restrooms, trash collection, facilities, or road maintenance"

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