As I have to go to USA next mid april for a tour, I am worried because I read some news about a possible shutdown of National Parks (USA Govern is discussed on federal budget)
Do you have some news for me?
Vane
Are you traveling mid-April 2011 or 2012? When the US Government is in budgetary talks, closing the parks as a monetary savings comes up regularly. They are used as leverage to get certain politicians what they want for their own states. Personally, at this point in time, I would not worry too much about the closings. Consider it 'saber-rattling' over other issues and the parks receive too many visitors to really shut them down. Just my personal opinion - but have seen them used time and time again to no avail.
That should be the least of your worries.
We have booked April 17, 2011 inside YNP at the Lodge at Yosemite Falls.
If park admission changes, we'll let you know.
Don't spend even a second worrying about it. the US has NEVER shut down it's national parks and if the politicians allowed it to happen they'd find themselves out on their rears no matter how good or insane their politics are. This is about political wrangling and cutting deals.
Think about it--if they shutdown the US government, that means they also shut down the US Customs Service and the US Immigration Department. So getting into the National Parks will be the least of your problems;--the real problems would be just getting into the country.
Plus, I have to believe that even our stupid politicians aren't so stupid that they would shut down the airports (US Transportation Department), stop paying the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines (US Defense Department), or stop paying themselves (Congress is part of the government too).
Cal,
actually getting into the country won't be a problem as both Immigration and Customs are considered "essential services" so they are funded - even during a shutdown.
As to the parks, they remain open to the public, but the employees (Rangers, etc) are not paid and won't be there. So you can still enter, but you won't pay fees, but their won't be essential services like trash pick up, showers, and some campsites will be gated off - plus no one to enforce reservations, or turn on water electric for those using camper vans.
That won't stop you from being able to go, but it could easily effect your ability to make the most out of the parks.
Don't spend even a second worrying about it. the US has NEVER shut down it's national parks and if the politicians allowed it to happen they'd find themselves out on their rears no matter how good or insane their politics are. This is about political wrangling and cutting deals.
Respectfully, DocNY is misinformed about the shutdown. Let's correct the record: The US Government did shut down all non-essential operations (including national parks) in 1995 and 1996, specifically November 14-19, 1995 and December 16, 1995 through January 6, 1996. It was over a political dispute between the legislative and executive branches of government in power at the time.
Reference:
Note Yosemite NP was closed for the first time since intermittent periods of World War II.
On a personal note, my close friend from college was a business manager for the non-govewrnment concession firm operating visitor services in Yosemite National Park at that time (and the gentleman is still working there today). The private sector YNP contract employees did not get paid during those time periods due to lost work. The employing firm did help them out with living expenses and meals during that period, but there was some hardships involved. By the way, only the government employees (like park rangers) all got their lost salaries restored after the fact by Congress.
As I posted above, we are booked into the Lodge at Yosemite Falls on April 17, 2011 and are planning on having dinner with our friend inside the park. The current budget negotiations in Washington DC will operate the government through midnight April 15. (My best guess is that the parks will be open) However, we will already be on the road and within two hours drive of Yosemite before we will know whether or not our visit is still on for that weekend. However, I am armed with a laptop PC and a wireless LAN card, and will be happy to post here if the park doesn't open as scheduled.
If that happens, we'll utilize "Plan B" and divert over to the Central Coast region and San Luis Obispo, which isn't a bad consolation prize!
Thank you.
This morning I have read on CNN on line that the shut down has been avoided because an agreement has been reached. If I have translate correctly, the discussion will be continued only about technical matters and I am hopefull that the document will be sign.
Is it correct?
Don't spend even a second worrying about it. the US has NEVER shut down it's national parks and if the politicians allowed it to happen they'd find themselves out on their rears no matter how good or insane their politics are. This is about political wrangling and cutting deals.
Respectfully, DocNY is misinformed about the shutdown. Let's correct the record: The US Government did shut down all non-essential operations (including national parks) in 1995 and 1996, specifically November 14-19, 1995 and December 16, 1995 through January 6, 1996. It was over a political dispute between the legislative and executive branches of government in power at the time.
Reference:Note Yosemite NP was closed for the first time since intermittent periods of World War II.
On a personal note, my close friend from college was a business manager for the non-govewrnment concession firm operating visitor services in Yosemite National Park at that time (and the gentleman is still working there today). The private sector YNP contract employees did not get paid during those time periods due to lost work. The employing firm did help them out with living expenses and meals during that period, but there was some hardships involved. By the way, only the government employees (like park rangers) all got their lost salaries restored after the fact by Congress.
As I posted above, we are booked into the Lodge at Yosemite Falls on April 17, 2011 and are planning on having dinner with our friend inside the park. The current budget negotiations in Washington DC will operate the government through midnight April 15. (My best guess is that the parks will be open) However, we will already be on the road and within two hours drive of Yosemite before we will know whether or not our visit is still on for that weekend. However, I am armed with a laptop PC and a wireless LAN card, and will be happy to post here if the park doesn't open as scheduled.
If that happens, we'll utilize "Plan B" and divert over to the Central Coast region and San Luis Obispo, which isn't a bad consolation prize!
0 Response to "possible shutdown"
Post a Comment