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Park likely to stay open if government closes downFree Access

D.C. politicians continue to bicker in budget battle


Editor’s note: As of our press time on Tuesday afternoon, a deal by lawmakers to prevent a partial government shutdown had not been reached. This story is the situation as it stood at press time.

As Washington politicians continue to bicker about a budget, the possibility looms of a government shutdown.

And that shutdown could include the National Park Service.

What impact that could have locally remains uncertain.

“Every shutdown is a different situation,” said Jamie Richards, public information officer for Yosemite National Park.

Richards said last week park officials are planning for Yosemite to be open, though that could change.

“At this point, we remain optimistic and plan for business as usual,” said Richards.

If lawmakers can’t reach some sort of agreement by this Friday at midnight, there will be a partial shutdown of the government, including the park service.

The bickering in Washington centers around President Donald Trump’s demand for $5 billion in funding for a border wall along the southern border of the United States. Democratic leaders said that is a non-starter, but the President dug in his heels in recent days, at one point saying he would “own” the shutdown if he doesn’t get the funding for the wall.

During the last government shutdown, the gates at the park were unmanned but open. In addition, the park’s concessionaire, Aramark, operated its hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Whether that might happen this time remains an open question, although indications are it will remain open this time, as well.

Richards would only reiterate her previous statement that park officials are planning for business as usual.

But Jonathan Farrington, director of the Yosemite-Mariposa Tourism Bureau, said it appears the gates will remain opened, though likely unmanned. That would also mean there would be no fee charged to get into the park.

Farrington said the “same scenario” as the last shutdown is “expected” this time, as well, but “not guaranteed” if it happens during the holiday break.

One major difference could be the fact this shutdown would be during the winter season in Yosemite and the last one was during the summer months.

Winter in Yosemite is a different animal, with tire chains required and close inspections by park officials to make sure motorists are prepared for possible winter driving. Also, many roads in the park, like the popular Glacier Point Road, are closed this time of year.

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is also closed to vehicular traffic, though it is open for people who want to walk to the grove. Whether a shutdown would impact those aspects of Yosemite remains uncertain.

In a press release from the tourism bureau, it indicates the following should the government shutdown at midnight Friday:

• Yosemite National Park lodging, restaurants and retail will be open based on the concessionaire’s ability to serve the public. (Armark operates the concessions in the park.)

• Outside the concession service areas, services, for the most part, could be minimal. For example, the restrooms normally open at Bridalveil Fall or other areas staffed by park service personnel may be closed. An exception to this would be if Aramark agrees in advance to pay the National Park Service for specific support staff services.

• The park service may close areas of the park if they feel there is a public safety issue because of reduced staffing levels or rangers or emergency response staff coverage. However, rangers and emergency response staff will be available during the shutdown.

• If it snows, roads to areas such as the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (Badger Pass) may close because of the inability of the park service to conduct snow removal operations. Park service officials did say primary access road serving both residents and visitors would be cleared and serviced.

“Of course, we all hope a government shutdown will be averted,” said Farrington.

Farrington said he believes one of the primary roles of the tourism bureau during times like a government shutdown is to inform the public as best as possible so people will continue to come to the park and Mariposa County.

“One of the areas I do see us taking a stronger role is in this kind of communication,” said Farrington.

“The tourism bureau will work diligently to keep visitors, lodging partners and businesses informed and updated on this situation,” said Farrington.

Though park service officials are not saying a lot about the shutdown, at least until it happens, there are indications they are expecting high visitor numbers over the holidays.

A memo sent out by the Yosemite staff last week gave park workers who were interested the opportunity to work at the gates during the holidays, especially helping with vehicular traffic.

Christmas and New Year’s are typically busier at Yosemite, which also means a boost for Mariposa as Highway 140 is the only all-weather road into the park.

Anyone who would like more information from the tourism bureau can call (209) 742-4567 or email jonathanf@yosemite.com or lauraw@yosemite.com.

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