Glacier Park was ready to close down

Uncertain whether a deal would be struck by last night’s deadline for a federal government shutdown, Glacier National Park officials were ready to shut down the park  today.

A compromise funding agreement was reached just before 11 p.m. Eastern Time between House Republicans, Senate Democrats and the Obama administration, but plans were already in place for the park to be closed and most employees to be furloughed by this morning if necessary.

The Flathead National Forest also had made preparations to furlough most of its 170 employees.

“A few employees [would] stay as it relates to protection of property and human safety,” said Denise Germann, the forest’s public affairs officer. “For the most part there would still be public access as it is now. There would be no services. There are no campgrounds open right now, and there are no active timber sales because it’s spring break-up right now.”

Glacier National Park, however, would be closed to the public in the event of a shutdown.

“We are still remaining hopeful that the federal government won’t shut down, but we are preparing in case that happens,” said Ellen Blickhan, the park’s public affairs officer Friday afternoon.

About 160 employees would be furloughed; services, facilities and campgrounds would be closed; snow-plowing operations would be suspended; and public access through the park’s limited entrances would be restricted.

Glacier law enforcement rangers would remain on duty for law enforcement, emergency services and entrance security even in the event of a shutdown.

Republicans and Democrats have been at odds over the budget for the last few weeks, right up to the midnight deadline for passing a continuing resolution to keep the government running.

According to one news report, the government shutdown of 1995 resulted in 2.92 million federal employees continuing to work as essential employees, and just 800,000 “nonessential” employees being furloughed.

Germann said a shutdown would be disruptive.

“I think there’s some anxiety and frustrations” among Flathead Forest employees, she said. “And it does present some challenges.”

Planning, permitting and contracting are suspended, with potential to create a backed-up workload.

“It does affect the work, the productivity and the planning,” Germann said. “It’s not only on us as an agency, but it has a ripple effect with our partners, our cooperators, our contractors and our communities.”

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.