As a result of the Federal government shutdown, essentially all services provided by the Bureau of Land Management will be suspended, with the exception of law enforcement and emergency response functions.  

Approximately 4,000 recreation facilities, including visitor centers, facilities, campgrounds, boat ramps and other recreation sites will be closed, according to an official release from the BLM’s Portland office.

The BLM manages 245 million acres nationally.

In Fiscal Year 2012, Oregon and Washington received more than 8.4 million visitors every year contributing more

than $713 million to local economies, according to the release.   

The BLM in Oregon and Washington will furlough 1,967 of its approximate 1,994 employees during the funding lapse.  After the initial shutdown procedures are completed, the BLM will maintain a total of 27 excepted employees with an additional 142 employees on call.

In addition to recreational facilities, the BLM closure will mean permits and timber sales will not be processed, among other duties.

Suspended activities will resume once Congressional approves a budget for Fiscal Year 2014, the release said.

Because the BLM website will not be maintained for the duration of the shutdown, the BLM is redirecting to Interior’s site, where additional information is available at: www.doi.gov/shutdown or www.opm.gov