While Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California reportedly experienced
damage that could be felt for decades, if not hundreds of years, during the
record 35-day government shutdown in January, the federal lands on Mount
Hood seem to have avoided a similar fate.

Jennifer Velez, Public Affairs Officer for the Northwest Oregon District of the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), noted that the main problem they
encountered after the shutdown was trash. Recreation staff conducted
assessments of all recreation sites when they returned to work, and Velez
noted that it took approximately 30 hours to clean up the trash.

“Thanks to any visitors on BLM who picked up trash or served as stewards to
public lands,” Velez said. “A huge thank you. We know that made a
difference.”

The Northwest Oregon District has approximately 250 permanent employees,
Velez added, noting that some were considered “essential” and did continue to
work during the shutdown, including law enforcement. She added that they do
have standard operating procedures they go through in the event of a
shutdown, but they find out about it at the same time as the general public.

The fate of the Mount Hood National Forest (MHNF), however, was unclear as
representatives from the MHNF declined to comment on what, if any, damage
was reported, the total number of employees, the number of employees who
worked during the shutdown or any steps the MHNF takes in the event of a
shutdown.

Laura Pramuk, Public Affairs Officer for the US Forest Service (USFS), referred
the Mountain Times to online documents, including Field Operational Updates
for each state that were last updated in late January, and a blog post by Chief
Vicki Christiansen titled “Resume, Recover, Rest” and addressing the USFS
employees. Neither addressed the questions submitted by the Mountain
Times.

Pramuk added that law enforcement staff worked during the furlough, but that
the Washington office wouldn’t answer specific questions.