South Carolina national parks, refuges closed by government shutdown

The Congaree National Park in Richland County, along with other national parks and federal wildlife refuges, are closed until the government shutdown ends.

SCDNR says that hunting on national forests will continue

All public access to wildlife refuges and national parks in South Carolina is closed due to the federal government shutdown. However, hunting and fishing remains open on national forest lands in the state, many of which are included in the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Management Area program.

“The shutdown will not affect hunting on Wildlife Management Areas,” said Capt. Robert McCullough, a spokesman for SCDNR. “We will be there, and the federal game wardens will also still be working.”

While hunting activities managed by the S.C. DNR remain open, most other functions in the state’s two national forests are shuttered. A telephone call to the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Columbia yielded the following taped message:

“You have reached the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest supervisor’s office. Our office is on furlough due to the lack of federal government funding. You may leave a message and we will return your call once funding has been restored.”

It was basically the same with all agencies under the U.S. Department of Interior. Attempts to locate the website of an individual refuge, national park or national forest in South Carolina was automatically diverted to the Department of Interior website (www.doi.gov/) where a message outlined plans for the shutdown.

The plan, for instance, said that in the event of a lapse in appropriations, the National Park Service would close and secure all park facilities. The directive meant no camping, canoeing, hiking or fishing is allowed at Congaree National Park in Richland County.

All trails, roads, campgrounds and Cedar Creek in the park were closed. The entry road and canoe launches were blocked or gated and no public access is allowed. Most employees were furloughed, but three law enforcement officers remained on duty.

Public access was also blocked at the ACE Basin, Santee, Carolina Sandhills, Cape Romain, Pinckney Island, Waccamaw and Savannah National Wildlife Refuges, closing them to fishing, bird-watching and other activities including any hunting, which is allowed only by federal permit.