Suffolk, Va. – The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to the public due to the government shutdown, according to a release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Here is a statement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the closure:
“The Federal Government will be closed as current funding expired on September 30, 2013. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is very much aware that any lapse in appropriations imposes hardships on those we serve. Due to this event, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to the public.”
“For programs experiencing a lapse in appropriated funding, only limited functions would continue, such as those necessary to respond to emergencies and to protect human life or property. While a lapse in appropriations remains in effect, public access to Service properties will be prohibited and fish and wildlife management activities and public programs will be cancelled. Refuge Manager Chris Lowie explained further, ‘This means all public uses cease completely – even hunts for which people have been issued special permits, like the deer hunt scheduled for this week. It means no birdwatching and no driving to see Lake Drummond. It means that these federally-owned lands and facilities are closed.'”
