By Charlie Deitz
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-962366.mp3
Massachusetts – If Congress fails to pass a budget today, and the government does in fact shut down, the National Park Service will be one of the main agencies forced to go dark. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports on what that might mean in this region
When people think about the National Park Service, images of Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon first come to mind. But on top of just running the actual parks, the national park service has dozens of operations that might not be as visible as the flagship natural landmarks, Donna Hassler is the executive director at Chesterwood, the home of Daniel Chester French in Stockbridge, last year they were able to benefit from one program run through the park service.
"Save america's treasures is a very important program money for restoration of buildings and collections."
That cut could have a wide ripple effect in New England which prides itself on its historic buildings. And then there's the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, whose executive Director Dan Bolignani says they get about 50 percent of their funding from the park service.
"We had anticipated on Monday of this upcoming week a trail rep to speak at a bike trail meeting."
Not only would the expertise be frozen, but the money too, the park service gave the heritage area a grant to build a bike trail from Berkshire County down through Connecticut. Bolignani notes that even if congress avoids a shutdown, the park service funding is still on the chopping block, and that could have even more drastic effects.
"We may have to cut budget mid year, cut programs and grants, there's a real ripple effect because so closely tied to federal budget."
This time of year people are strapping on their boots and backpacks, and hitting the Appalachian trail, but should a shut down occur, the national park service stoppages would mean those hikers might not see any helpers along the way. Javier Folgar is a spokesperson with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
"Currently the national park service provides insurance for volunteers, doing corridor work,it wouldn't be viable."
The Appalachian Trail runs 2100 miles from Georgia to Maine, and cuts right through Berkshire County. So while Congress people continue to get paid for working through the impasse, the burgeoning outdoor travel season could be starting out on rocky footing should the government shut down.