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New Yellowstone superintendent comments on possibility of government shutdown

Posted: Mar 7, 2011 9:20 AM by Adam Bell
Updated: Mar 7, 2011 9:25 AM


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While millions from all over the world come to see all the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, there is a chance that this opportunity may not be available due to a possible government shutdown.

Just beyond the Roosevelt Arch could be as far as you could go if there is a government shutdown. That's because the park staff will be forced to essential staff only possibly leading to the park to close its gates.

Yellowstone National Park is one of many parks nationwide that could be impacted by a federal government shutdown. The park's new superintendent recently talked about what he thinks will happen.

"There would not be recreational opportunities within the park, so we would maintain, if you will that state highway through the park, but for, in terms of visitor use, the park would be effectively closed if the government were to shut down," Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said.

Even though a government shutdown could hurt tourism to the park and surrounding communities, Wenk says that something like this happening right now would have a significantly less impact than if it happened later in the year, during the summer tourism season.

"I think that it certainly would be a far different thing if it was while we are open for the summer season. I think that time of year the impacts would be they'd probably still be substantial to local communities, but they would not nearly be as impactful, if you will, if it were to happen during the summer or spring seasons," he said.

Regardless of what happens at the federal level, for at least the next two weeks, tourists will continue to flock into the park and all the beauty she has to offer.

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