DOI 2011 Contingency Plan Fact Sheet



APRIL 7, 2011

We continue to hope that Congress will reach an agreement to avoid a government shutdown, but we are working to prepare for all possible scenarios. The following fact sheet provides basic information about the Department of the Interior's contingency plans in the event of a government shutdown.

Services and Programs that would remain operational

NAME OF SERVICE/PROGRAM REASON
USGS volcano and earthquake monitoring, streamgage operations, satellite mission control
Emergency and/or excepted activity
Most offshore energy development activities, including plan reviews, environmental analysis, permitting, inspection, and enforcement work
Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available
Bureau of Indian Education Elementary and Secondary Programs and Tribal Colleges (excluding Haskell and SIPI)
Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available
Law Enforcement – Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs
Emergency and/or excepted activity
US Park Police
Emergency and/or excepted activity
Office of the Special Trustee beneficiary services to American Indians
Emergency and/or excepted activity
Bureau of Reclamation operations e.g. Hoover Dam and Grand Coulee Dam and water delivery
 Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available
Firefighting - Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs
Emergency and/or excepted activity
Some FWS grant programs – e.g. Sport Fish Restoration, Federal Aid
Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available
Wildlife caretakers and fish hatchery staff to feed and protect wildlife
Emergency and/or excepted activity
Bureau of Land Management Alaska Pipeline operations, Helium program operations
Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available
Reclamation essential water and hydropower deliveries
Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund
Non-appropriated or non-lapsing funding sources available




Services and programs that would be closed

  • National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, BLM public lands including campgrounds, visitor centers, concession services
  • Visitor and recreation programs and facilities with exceptions (e.g. Hoover Dam)
  • U.S. Geological Survey scientific work and data collection and analysis, excluding hazards
  • Federal oversight and regulation of surface coal mining, abandoned mine land restoration oversight, except emergencies
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs economic development, social programs
  • Onshore oil and gas leasing activities and most permitting, inspection, and enforcement work
  • Permits and approvals for onshore renewable energy rights-of-way issuances, Endangered Species Act clearances, Historic Preservation Act clearances
  • BLM range management and restoration, wild horse and burro roundups and fertility control
  • Insular Affairs assistance to freely associated states and territories, oversight of Federal programs

Key citizen services that would be affected

  • Visitors to national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands should be advised that -
    • The National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management will close and secure park, refuge and visitor facilities on public lands.
    • Visitor activities that require a permit, including public events, will not be allowed or will be cancelled or postponed.
    • Visitor centers will be closed and access to park areas denied, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Independence Hall, Alcatraz, and the Washington Monument.
    • Visitors using overnight concession accommodations and campgrounds will be notified and given 48 hours to make alternate arrangements.
    • The National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and some Bureau of Land Management roads will be closed except when they are necessary as thruways
  • U.S. Geological Survey –citizen access to extensive information will be limited.
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs –will cease providing, family counseling (except emergencies) or assistance on energy development on public lands
  • Bureau of Indian Education –will cease providing early childhood development programs and post secondary education at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and Haskell Indian Nations University.

Employees

  • Total agency employees: 68,900
  • Total employees who would be furloughed (approximate): 52,500 initially, 55,000 longer-term


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