Buffalo National River essentially off limits to visitors during government shutdown
The government shutdown is impacting one of the Ozarks’ most pristine landscapes.
From KSPR
Posted by Chris Brewer, web editor / info from news release Email Chris / Follow Chris on Twitter
8:10 a.m. CDT, October 1, 2013
HARRISON, Ark. – The government shutdown is impacting one of the Ozarks’ most pristine landscapes, as the Buffalo National River is essentially shut down to all visitors until further notice.
View More at http://www.kspr.com/news/kspr-buffalo-national-river-essentially-off-limits-all-visitors-during-government-shutdown-20131001,0,5478629.story
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Popular national park rivers closed to floating during shutdown
Written by
Wes Johnson
If you had plans to paddle the Buffalo National River or Ozark National Scenic Riverways this week, think again.
The Buffalo and sections of Jacks Fork River and Current River are closed to the public beginning today because of the federal government shutdown.
“I just turned two groups away today who wanted to float the river,” said Mike Smith, owner of Windy’s Canoe Rental that serves the Jacks Fork and Current rivers. “At this time of year with the season winding down there’s not really a lot of impact. But if they had done this shutdown in June it would have had a major, major effect on us and on the local economy. But any time the government shuts down it’s a worrisome event.”
Smith said he received an email several days ago from Ozark National Scenic Riverways detailing how ONSR would respond to the shutdown. As of today, all national parks are closed to the public, including rivers that flow through them.
“Basically they said don’t put anybody on the river during the shutdown,” Smith said. “They’d consider it a breach of contract if we did. They issue our permit and they could pull our permit if we did. I do not plan to put anybody on the river while this goes on.”
Read the Full Article at the Springfield News Leader
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20131001/NEWS01/310010077/Popular-national-park-rivers-closed-to-floating-during-shutdown?odyssey=nav|head&nclick_check=1