Buffalo National River

[Eric Esche]

A point came up on facebook and there was an article on AOL about the national parks closing due to the lack of funding and portions of the government to possibly shut down. Wanting to get the details of how it could affect my canoeing, I called the Buffalo National River park headquarters.

I did not tape the conversation, so I will not use quotes, but the gist of the response to my asking pointedly was - If the government shuts down, NPS facilities with gates will be shut after those that are within the gates are escorted out. Access by private boaters will not be denied to the river, although if there is a gate, you might have to walk what ever distance it is from the gate to the river to get there.

I did not ask about commercial licensees operating because I am not one and I assumed that they would be asking, or NOT asking, depending on how they planned to operate or not in the event of a "park closure". They have a lot of money at stake in those operations and I doubt that they would ever see a refund due to lack of services if they were to shut down like the government might. Might be a good weekend to show your support and hire a shuttle. We do want to keep them in business.

Glad I have carts for my boats. Better make sure I have air in the tires.

Guess I'm just not cut out for government work. Seems like the simplest thing would be to just walk away and NOT lock the gates if you are not being paid. It's NOT their park, It's OUR park, just like it is NOT their river, but OUR river.

Guess they would have to turn off the power and water if they are worried about running up a bill, but with the new turn in NPS "management", they assume we are all thieves, and are going to steal or vandalise everything that IS bolted down and it all has to be protected for us by locking it away. I know they will say there is "the safety issue", but I'm a lot more likely to get hurt stepping over a barricade and walking farther with my bum neck, bum knee, and 45% remaining heart function than I am driving to the river. I'm guessing that they assume that closing a gate makes it "assumed risk" and lower traffic is safer for them.

Wonder if anyone ever told them that when you assume the worst of people, that you sometimes get it. I like to think you get more miles with smiles.

Y'all have fun safely this weekend, regardless of what they do or do not do in Washington.

Eric Esche

I'll still offer my cookies and breads to the rangers to share with us when I pass the can around, but it was surely nicer when we knew most of the rangers by name, and they were glad to see our smiles and boats on the river, and they knew we were the good guys from the river cleanups.

If I sound cranky today, maybe I am. I shoveled a truck load of compost this morning and I've been weeding all afternoon. Life goes on, in spite of arthritus and political bickering.

[EMTyak]

This whole situation could easily be compromised.. but that's the govt for you!
I'm glad they aren't trying to keep us completely out.. I wonder how many of the gates are actually going to be closed..

[Shark Attack]

Hmm, does this mean the Jack Booted Brown Shirted SS , oops FS ranger thugs won't be razing folks around the Piney? May be time to go back there!

[painterbob]

the e-mail i just got said if they shut down friday@ 6 pm the park will be closed. and the roads will be blocked. and we have 48 hours to find our customers canoe camping and remove them from the river, and out of the park. and to stop doing business until further notice!

[EMTyak]

How would this affect my camping trip/float on piney next week?

[Roger]

How would this affect my camping trip/float on piney next week?

Don't recall any gate on the road into Longpool. Access at Helton's is private as is the 164 brdige. Would not think there will be any impact.

May find the bathrooms closed. They usually keep a camp host who is not paid and likely won't be leaving.

Just making a WAG!

[Jaytee]

I called BOC today to talk about a shuttle for tomorrow and they said the same thing that Bob did ... that if the government shuts down, the river is closed, you cannot be on it, not even private boaters can put themselves in, and outfitters cannot put anyone in or shuttle vehicles.

So, if the govt is closed, tomorrow we will be picking a different river. I feel bad for the outfitters if that happens because they had a non-existent fall floating season over there and this is one of the first really good weekend (combo of water levels and temps) to really get the touristy masses out to the Buffalo.

[panicman]

it would be kinda hard for them to actually close the river. For one thing there would not be anyone around to give you a ticket.

[Richard]

Had the shutdown occurred, the government would not totally shut down. the LEs (law enforcement would still be on duty and giving tickets. They were instructed not to waste their time giving warnings.

[sugarmtngal]

Eric,
I concur and if you start up a 'Militia Waterways Group' let me know!
Lots of paddling this week! Finally visited Glory Hole yesterday, but they wouldn't let me and my kayak go down the hole :)- see ya on the water soon!

[JB2012]

I think that could be a close fit----even for you!