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U.S. Goverment Shutdown Impacts Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

The shutdown of the federal government has impacted one of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations - Mammoth Cave National Park. 

This is the Dec. 28 recorded phone message at the Kentucky destination that’s considered the world's longest known cave system with more than 400 miles of surveyed passageways:

 

“Thank you for calling Mammoth Cave National Park. Due to the lapse of appropriations and the subsequent partial shutdown of the federal government, Mammoth Cave National Park will not operate cave tours, provide visitor services, or operate the Green River Ferry during the government shutdown. Park roads, lookouts and trails will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited.”

 
 
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Mammoth Cave National Park has been closed as a result of the government shutdown that’s arisen from the stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over President Donald Trump’s $5 million demand for a wall at the U.S./Mexico border.

The Bowling Green Daily News has reported that some of the out-of-town visitors who found the doors locked at Mammoth Cave National Park have been from Illinois, Michigan and California.  Several cars were also reported making U-turns after seeing 'closed' signs.

The government shutdown could impact agriculture. The USDA has announced that direct payments for farmers who haven't certified production, as well as farm loans and disaster assistance programs, will be put on hold beginning next week, and won't start up again until the government reopens. 

So far, there’s no sign of the shutdown coming to end and it’s expected to drag into the New Year.

Rhonda Miller began as reporter and host for All Things Considered on WKU Public Radio in 2015. She has worked as Gulf Coast reporter for Mississippi Public Broadcasting, where she won Associated Press, Edward R. Murrow and Green Eyeshade awards for stories on dead sea turtles, health and legal issues arising from the 2010 BP oil spill and homeless veterans.
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