I recieved an email from Bob Pacific, the head ranger for the Evans Creek area informing me that if the pending government shutdown happens it will likely result in the closure of federal recreational lands. This means that Evans Creek, and other national parks and recreation areas will be closed. Below is a copy of the email I recieved.

"Midnight Friday is the deadline for passing a federal budget and it is not looking good at this point. If the goverment shutdown goes into effect, we will likely be directed not to work or volunteer. Some essential services ie) law enforcement will continue but keeping recreation sites open is not one of them. If this is the case, we will likely be locking toilet facilities, closing gates that access federal land whether National Park Service Lands, National Forest Lands etc. This would include Evans Creek and other roads that currently have gates. Some of the public think a goverment shutdown is a good thing and would not effect them personally. Closing access to their favorite recreation site or area is a good example of one thing that would effect them directly. Please pass on to other club members and friends and also to those that need to be reminded that law enforecement will be still be working. Hopefully the shutdown wont happen and I will see you next Tuesday night. "

 

I was listening to this on the news this morning but from what I understand it isn't like it is a forever thing, very temporary from what I got out of it and as much as we all wouldn't want the areas to be closed I really don't see anything that we are able to do to prevent the gov shutdown from taking place if it does. It's not like the public is the ones that is in control of this and the ones deciding this. I mean correct me if I am wrong but I don't think there is anything that we can do to help them come to a agreement on this.

CJ

 

My biggest concern is an immediate unnanounced closure could result in people being locked in.

 

So I have to worry about not getting paid and then not being able to wheel on top of that.

 

i feel your pain in this one, we just got the "you still have to show up to work and Anarchy is not an option" speech! now they are closing off our vent for no money!!!....guess i can always drink my pain away

 

Not trying to minimize the personal suffering that will come from people not getting paid, but if nobody's there, how are they going to stop you?

 

big freeway cinder blocks my friend, the ones they use as a divider on the freeway, that is how they close it down for the winter.

but i like your thinking!

 

Sounds like a challenge! I've seen some rigs on here that would do it np.

 

I agree like the thinking....hmm maybe a couple winches, or big trucks, maybe a chainsaw an make our own entrance

 

Now we're talkin! We were nice on staying on the trails and stuff and stuff lol...guess we need to show our bad sides lol.

 

Looks like there will be no need for rogue wheeling at Evans this weekend. Even if the government shuts down Evans will still be open for the weekend. I received the below email response from Bob about my concerns of the gate at Evans being closed this weekend. If they do end up closing it I highly doubt they will put up cement blocks at the entrance. They will probably just close the gate and lock it. It costs money to have those blocks put up there and I cannot see them paying to do that for what will probably be a short term, temporary closure.

"Hi Bill. If the shutdown occurs tonight, employees are supposed to come in on Monday morning to so whatever necessary for the shutdown. So if it happens and the decided the gates will be shut then it would happen Monday. So the gates will remain open irregardless this weekend and would be closed sometime Monday."

 

Most Federal government agencies are not able to give exact answers of what will happen if they shut down because they are still trying to figure it out themselves. It appears that the Forest Service is no exception. Below is an email that was CC'd to me. It is from Jim Franzel, a Snoqualmie District Ranger, and is addressed to Bob Pacific. It was sent to Bob as a reply to the email that I posted to start this thread. He is basically saying that Bob was incorrect and that gates will not be closed.

"Bob - this message has information that is not correct.
Currently, USFS recreation sites that are open will remain open. We are not locking gates or restrooms that are currently open because of the potential shutdown. Of course, site that are currently closed for the winter will remain closed.
Jim Franzel Snoqualmie District Ranger"

 

So anyone have any bolt cutters just in case

 

So any news on whether they are going to close down evans any time soon? Are they also plannin on shuttin down naches too?

 

Maybe