[Bernardo]

CascadeClimber, what's your point? Somehow Zinke is a bad guy because he allegedly told his department not to use the word closed? Are you just looking for a reason to be angry? It seems like the parks aren't completely closed so why is it wrong to not want staff to use that word when it would not be completely accurate? Are you wishing the the parks were described as closed because that sounds worse? This administration is specifically trying to keep them as accessible as possible. Good on them. It's your right to file a foia request, and that's another area where this administration has really ramped up efficiency. The law requires a response in 20 days. There can't be many docs pertaining to this issue so it should be easy especially if you request docs only from a narrow date range. https://www.foia.gov Looks like law enforcement within the parks has been deemed an essential service, so there will be staffing for that purpose. Sorry ya'll, but the parks won't be zones of anarchy during the closure.

[Gimpilator]

I was in Lake Mead National Recreation Area yesterday. All gates are open, but bathrooms are locked.

[silence]

Official statement/contingency plan from the NPS https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/2018_01_nps_contingency_plan.pdf No visitor services (including water, bathrooms, garbage disposal, permits, and plowing) ... just essential personnel on duty. Access at your own risk. After today's storm (and more to come this week) it might be awhile before anyone can get up to Paradise if they've suspended all plowing from Longmire ... the gate is closed.

[Gregory]

I live on the Kitsap Peninsula, home of a few naval bases.Workers are deemed essential or not.Non-essential go home with pay and the essential stay and work for pay.The whole thing is a joke.We are paying people to stay home so the government can pretend to be shut down.

[lookout bob]

they are plowing the parking lot at Paradise right now..( 7:10 am Jan 21...... )

[silence]

That's good news ... at least they're keeping up with it. Wonder if they are getting paid?

[moonspots]

[christensent]

[xrp]

[Gregory]

I am curious to see the who, how, and what that determines essential.This shut down of the parks certainly does not follow or mirror 2013 shut down.

[cascadeclimber]

[silence]

According to the contingency plan I posted earlier, there are only 3,298 NPS employees nationwide (inclusive of employees paid by non-expiring fund sources) deemed essential out of a total 24,681 employees. The road crew might be included in this, but I doubt it. Or, "Employees who report for a very limited number of hours per week – such as a maintenance employee who must conduct a safety check on a facility system – are still considered “furloughed,” though they will maintain a log of hours conducting essential activities during the shut down period. Or, "Parks may not exceed the staffing number approved during the October 2013 shutdown unless a partner is willing to provide payment in advance (as a donation) to support additional staff."

[xrp]

[Chief Joseph]

[Kascadia]