Nebraskaland Magazine
LINCOLN, Neb. – According to a news release issued today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Waterfowl Production Areas will remain open. In the announcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that due to the ongoing lapse in Congressional appropriations, the decision was made to close all facilities and lands to public use. The closure came at an extremely difficult time with hunting seasons just underway, fall migratory bird migrations at their peak, and hundreds of communities forced to cancel events as part of National Wildlife Refuge Week. With approximately 78 percent of its employees furloughed, the Service determined it would be difficult for the remaining, non-furloughed workforce to ensure the safety of facilities, lands, and resources, in a manner that incurs no further financial obligation to the U.S. Government.
The Service staff conducted an assessment to determine what, if any, potential exists to open lands to public use consistent with its obligations under the government-wide shutdown. It was determined that allowing public access to Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) will not incur further government expenditure or obligation. Therefore, effective immediately, all WPAs will reopen to public use.
As the shutdown continues, if the Service determines that maintaining the WPAs in open status, individually or cumulatively, would likely cause Service expenditures or obligations to be made in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, the Service will close public access.
Additional information about the Service’s efforts to support conservation on national wildlife refuges can be found at http://www.fws.gov/ which will be operational after the shutdown ends. Shutdown-related information continues to be available at www.DOI.gov/shutdown. For more information about public land in Nebraska visit OutdoorNebraska.org and search for the Public Access Atlas.
