Wright Brothers National Memorial is closed, other areas offer limited access, services
As Kari Pugh writes in the Outer Banks Voice, the government shutdown will cause some closures at NPS sites, but questions remain about other effects.
Partial federal government shutdown closes Wright Brothers
The partial government shutdown that started after midnight will mean closing or scaling back federal facilities on the Outer Banks.
The National Park Service will likely close many parks and attractions, or leave them accessible with skeletal staff.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills is closed “for protection and safety,” Cape Hatteras National Seashore reported Saturday morning.
Some areas of the seashore will remain accessible, but that may change without notice and there will be no services provided by the NPS.
The National Weather Service said it will continue offering forecasts and weather warnings, and remain active on social media, though posts and replies will be limited to direct forecasts.
Members of the Coast Guard would be required to work without pay during the shutdown, since the Department of Homeland Security is one of the agencies not funded, although they would be compensated once a spending bill is finally passed.
The shutdown could delay funding expected to help North Carolina with long-term hurricane recovery and rebuilding efforts. The funds were approved by Congress earlier this fall but won’t be available until guidelines publish in the Federal Register.
And it could negatively impact the Temporary Assistance for Needy program that provides child welfare services administered by North Carolina counties.
