By Jacque Day
Henry County, Tenn. – A local Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge official says a federal shutdown will mean a closure of two marinas and 23 boat ramps. Deputy Refuge Manager Troy Littrell says if nothing changes on the budget issue, closures will go into effect at sunset today. All public facilities will close, including Mansard Island and wildlife refuges such as Cross Creek in Dover. Littrell says employees will be furloughed. Law enforcement will continue to work, with no knowledge of when they'll be paid. The Tennessee Refuge faces similar circumstances to other area federal lands, including Fort Donelson and Land Between the Lakes.