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The partial federal government shutdown, now in its fifth day, has affected national parks unevenly, some still accessible with bare-bones staffing levels, some operating with money from states or charitable groups, and others locked off.
Arizona and Utah officials implemented plans to keep open Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks and provide services such as public restrooms, shuttles and trash collection. Concession operations such as lodges remained open, and Utah’s money for parks in that state included visitor centers.
Among sites closed outright: in the southwest alone, Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico, White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico, Petrified National Forest National Park in northern Arizona and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in south-central Arizona.
Federal workers at the government agencies affected by partial shutdown go unpaid as long as the shutdown lasts. They are expected to get retroactive pay once the impasse is broken.
The partial shutdown has not affected air or train travel, as air traffic controllers, TSA agents and Amtrak personnel remain on the job. TSA agents are currently working without pay.
Source: travelweekly.com
