Murphy – The Nantahala National Forest’s website offers an unusual alert amid shutdowns of federal agencies from a funding impasse in the U.S. Senate.
“The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government,” according to the notice at fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation.
“This government website will be updated periodically during the funding lapse for mission critical functions. President (Donald) Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel and clothe the American people.”
None of the public local numbers went answered at federal agencies with offices in Cherokee County. However, non-public-facing operations at the Tennessee Valley Authority are unaffected by the shutdowns.
About 31% of Cherokee County is federal land, primarily managed by the U.S. Forest Service, amounting to about 92,637 acres out of the county’s roughly 298,482 total acres.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a short-term bill to fund the government, but attempts to pass similar measures have failed in the Senate, which requires 60 votes for approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson has sent representatives home for a “district work period,” indicating no end is in sight this week.
As of Monday, the U.S. federal government is in a partial shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass appropriations bills to fund the government for the fiscal year that started on that day.
The government shutdown is the result of a budget deadlock between congressional Democrats and Republicans. Points of disagreement include:
u Overall spending levels for various federal programs.
u The terms for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expired at the end of September.
u Rescissions for foreign aid.
There are nine federal departments affected by the shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies – including EPA, the Small Business Administration and NASA – are also affected.
Affected agencies
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are either furloughed (on unpaid leave) or working without pay if deemed “essential.” While federal employees are expected to receive retroactive pay once the shutdown ends, contractors are not.
Essential services for public safety – such as law enforcement, military operations and air traffic control – are continuing, although some functions may experience disruption. Many other agencies and services have been suspended or reduced:
u National parks are mostly closed. Federal museums, including the Smithsonian, have also closed.
u Approval of federal loans for housing and small businesses has been halted or delayed.
u Many health and safety inspections by agencies, like the FDA and EPA, have been suspended.
u Federal courts can operate for a limited time using reserve funds.
Cherokee County
In Cherokee County, federal agencies include:
u U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. This office is dedicated to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas.
u Farm Service Agency. Supports agricultural producers by administering USDA farm programs.
u Natural Resources Conservation Service. Offers technical and financial assistance for natural resource conservation.
u U.S. Forest Service. Manages the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, which is largely in Cherokee County. As for the online notice, the Trump Administration has been accused by critics of violating the Hatch Act by using official government communications to blame congressional Democrats and the “Radical Left” for the funding lapse.
Calls to local offices of these agencies went unanswered Monday.
Details: For information on recreation site status on National Forest System lands, visit fs.usda.gov/visit.