Federal Government Shutdown

The federal government is shutdown, and it impacts Friends operations. A short time ago CORFA received U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance for non-federal employees during this lapse in appropriations. The guidance specifies that:

• Activities funded by yearly appropriations from Congress will cease as obligating funds in the absence of appropriation is a violation of the Anti-deficiency Act.
• Activities funded from non-appropriated sources or non-lapsing funds will generally continue.
• Most refuge lands, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), will remain open.
• Visitor centers, facilities, gated areas, and services on refuge lands will not be open or available.
• Guidance for:
  • Interns/Fellows
  • ESP Participant Guidance
  • Volunteers/Friends Guidance

Please carefully read this guidance and if you have questions reach out to the Service employee designated to continue working at your site(s). We hope you have:

• Secured your equipment and materials in a location you can access. Service facilities are closed. If you haven’t done this, act quickly.
• If your mail is sent to the Service-site, have it forwarded to an officer of your organization or arrange to pick it up at the post office.
• Develop alternative plans for any programs or activities you were planning to hold on a Service-managed site.

The length of the shutdown is unknown. Should you need assistance, please message us at coalitionrefugefriends@gmail.com and we will try to get answers. Please share what is happening at your site. We will provide updates on the shutdown as we get them on our website timeline and in Facebook group.