Govt. shutdown forces closing of USFS recreation sites

GAINESVILLE - Because of the government shutdown, all federally-owned recreation sites in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests have been closed.

In addition, according to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) website, the sale of all types of permits (i.e., recreation, firewood, forest products, mineral materials for example) are suspended, and recreation.gov reservations are suspended. (Click on the link below for a list of the recreation areas and other Chattahoochee-Oconee sites that are closed.) All U.S. Forest Service offices are also closed. These services will be available once funding is restored.

Law enforcement, fire suppression, and other essential services will continue without interruption, according to the website.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that because of the shutdown it was closing the campgrounds and day-use parks it operates on Lake Lanier. But local and state parks and recreation areas on the lake remain open.