Overview

• Burgum said the Interior Department is using recreational and entrance fees to operate key services at national parks during the funding lapse.
• Agency guidance keeps roads, trails, lookouts and open-air memorials generally accessible, while many visitor centers, restrooms, museums and indoor exhibits are closed or limited.
• He cautioned the workaround is temporary because it draws money away from deferred maintenance and cannot be sustained indefinitely.
• He cited support from more than 20 Friends of the Park groups and said West Virginia committed state funds to keep New River Gorge and Harpers Ferry open.
• Burgum blamed Democrats for the shutdown, claimed the House passed a clean funding bill that Democrats rejected, and asserted that millions of federal employees are idle but will be paid.