YNP Affected by Government Shutdown
Written by Andrew-Rossi on January 22, 2018
Although the federal government effectively shut down on Friday, Wyoming’s senators voted to keep the country running.
The bill, which Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso both voted for, would have provided funding for the federal government until February 16 and also included a bipartisan six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP.
Yellowstone National Park is affected by the shutdown in that entrance stations are not staffed, although visitors driving wheeled vehicles can access the road from Gardiner to the Northeast Entrance and all the commercial services along that route. And concessionaires are still operating lodging and food at locations such as Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs. Additionally, guided snowmobile and snowcoach trips with commercial operators will be allowed.
The park website and social media sites will not be maintained, and the public affairs office will be closed until the government reopens. However, the park will provide limited emergency response.
The shutdown will continue at least through noon today, when the senate will vote on whether or not to end the stalemate.
