Corps parks to close, vital services to continue

PORTLAND, Ore. – Parks, campgrounds and visitor centers operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across Oregon and southwestern Washington are closed until further notice, the agency announced today.

These closures, as well as others, are the result of the agency not receiving funding for Fiscal Year 2014, which begins today.  Funding for FY13 expired at midnight Sept. 30 and, in some cases, is not available for use afterward.

The Corps’ Portland District provides numerous services to the public throughout the year, however, without funding, only missions that protect life safety and property, or protect national security may continue. Below is a list of public services and their status:

• CLOSED: Visitor centers, campgrounds, day-use facilities and boat ramps will be closed at all Corps dams and reservoirs.  Facilities leased by other organizations are not impacted.

• CLOSED: The Corps of Engineers’ aerial maps and engineering records section will be closed.

• CONTINUING: Vessel navigation will continue to remain available through navigation locks at Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams.

• CONTINUING: Hydropower generation and navigation channel maintenance activities will continue.

The closures are effective today and will continue until FY14 funding is approved.  Security personnel will remain on staff at all Corps facilities.

Customers may cancel their camping reservations for a full refund. Customers required to vacate campsites early will receive a partial refund for any unused portion of their reservations.  As an alternative, customers may elect to leave reservations open for possible use after the shutdown is lifted. Customers may request a partial refund for any unused portion of their reservation due to the shutdown. To request a refund, contact the reservation customer service at 1-888-448-1474 (TDD 1-877-833-6777). If the customer chooses to do nothing, the reservation service will automatically cancel reservations after their departure date during the shutdown period.

The Corps will post current information on the closure and reopening of facilities on the Headquarters website at www.usace.army.mil and locally on the Portland District’s website at www.nwp.usace.army.mil