With our Federal government once again in "shutdown" mode for the last several days. each government agency put together contingency plans for operations in the absence of appropriations.

The National Park Service (NPS) was created on August 25, 1916 by Congress through the National Park Service Organic Act and is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. As of 2018, the NPS maintains 418 properties, including 60 protected national parks (which includes our local Channel Islands National Park). 

According to the National Park Service Contingency Plan:

• Parks will suspend all activities and secure facilities that operate using lapsed appropriations, except those essential to respond to emergencies.

• Visitor services are suspended, including restrooms, trash collection, campgrounds, permits, public information, etc. (Regarding campgrounds, NPS notes that visitors will not be asked to leave but are advised that there are no services during a shutdown, including check-in/check-out services, and ensuring availability of sites upon arrival.)

• Visitor centers, like the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park, are closed.

• Special events hosted by the National Park Service are cancelled.

• Park websites and social media will not be maintained.

For more information about shutdown contingency plans, visit the U.S. Department of the Interior website at www.doi.gov/shutdown.