"National parks have largely been kept open through the lapse in US federal funding that's left workers furloughed and resources for the parks system more scarce than usual. But as the US government shutdown enters its third week and legislators warn that their impasse could linger even longer than the one in Trump's first term which currently holds the record at 35 days concerns are mounting over how the nation's treasured public lands will fare."
"Already, there have been widespread reports of illegal activity in Yosemite. People have been spotted Base jumping off high granite peaks, swimming in reservoirs where it is prohibited, camping and parking in unauthorized areas and climbing Half Dome's cables without permits. One of the limited park employees seen on duty during the holiday weekend, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to comment publicly, said it had been chaotic."
Yosemite remained open during a prolonged US federal funding lapse, attracting heavy visitor traffic despite reduced services and furloughed rangers. Winter weather in the Sierra heightened safety risks while campgrounds and parking lots filled over a long weekend. Reports surfaced of illegal and dangerous behavior, including base jumping, prohibited swimming, unauthorized camping and climbing without permits. Limited on-duty staff described chaotic conditions. Yosemite used pre-shutdown entrance fee revenues, held separate from federal appropriations, to sustain maintenance, restrooms, trash removal, campgrounds and emergency operations. A concessionaire continued to provide services amid growing concerns about the parks' ability to cope if the shutdown persists.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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