Statement on the Effects of Sequestration at Natchez Trace Parkway

Date: March 28, 2013
Contact: Dale C. Wilkerson, 662-680-4005

Tupelo, MS - On March 1, 2013, the Natchez Trace Parkway was required to reduce its annual budget by five percent, in accordance with the sequestration provision of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The effects of this federal law require that each national park absorb this reduction within the remaining months of this fiscal year, which ends September 30.

In order to meet the required financial reductions, the Parkway is reducing costs in the areas of permanent and seasonal employment, overtime, training, travel, and supply purchases. Within the next 2-6 weeks the adjustments listed below will be taken to implement the sequestration cut.

While these reductions are necessary to comply with sequestration, the park remains open, welcoming visitors and continuing to protect the resources entrusted to our care. Please visit our web site at www.nps.gov/NATR to obtain the most current information on operational changes and closures.

Staffing:

·Five (5) vacant Permanent Positions will not be hired

·Fifteen (15) Seasonal Employee Positions will not be hired

Visitor Impacts: Reduced staffing will result in changes to park operations in the following areas:

·Garrison Creek (TN, milepost 427.6):

oThe picnic area will remain open. Trail maintenance may be reduced.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Wednesday morning through Friday morning.

·Gordon House Historic Site (TN, milepost 407.7):

oThe site and picnic area will remain open. Trail maintenance may be reduced.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Wednesday morning through Friday morning.

·Jackson Falls (TN, milepost 404.7):

oThe picnic area will remain open. Trail maintenance may be reduced.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Wednesday morning through Friday morning.

·Meriwether Lewis Death & Burial Site (TN, milepost 385.9):

oThe site, campground, and picnic areas will remain open. Trail maintenance may be reduced.

oThe Meriwether Lewis Information Cabin hours will be reduced. Please see Operating Hours and Seasons for current times.

oThe restrooms in the large parking area and in the campground will remain open. The restrooms at Little Swan Picnic Area will be closed each Monday morning through Wednesday morning.

·Jacks Branch (TN, milepost 377.8):

oThe picnic area will remain open.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Monday morning through Wednesday morning.

·Glenrock Branch (TN, milepost 364.5):

oThe picnic area will remain open.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Monday morning through Wednesday morning.

·Colbert Ferry (AL, milepost 327.3):

oThe site, picnic areas, and boat ramp will remain open.

oThe Colbert Ferry Information Center will remain closed

oBoth restrooms (at the Information Cabin and the boat ramp) will be closed each Wednesday morning through Friday morning.

·Pharr Mounds (MS, milepost 286.7):

oThe site will remain open.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Wednesday morning through Friday morning.

·Parkway Visitor Center (MS, milepost 266):

oOperating hours remain unchanged; open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

oThe restrooms at the Parkway Visitor Center will be open during regular operating hours.

·Witch Dance (MS, milepost 233.2):

oThe picnic area and access to the horse trail will remain open.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Monday morning through Wednesday morning.

·Jeff Busby (MS, milepost 193.1):

oThe site, campground, and picnic area will remain open. Trail maintenance may be reduced.

oThe restrooms at the former service station and in the campground will remain open. The restrooms in the picnic area and on Little Mountain will be closed.

·Holly Hill (MS, milepost 154.3):

oThe picnic area will remain open.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Wednesday morning through Friday morning.

·Parkway Information Cabin (MS, milepost 102.4):

oThe Multi-Use Trail will remain open.

oThe restrooms will remain open.

oThe Parkway Information Cabin hours will be reduced. Please see Operating Hours and Seasons for current times.

·Rocky Springs (MS, milepost 54.8):

oThe site, campground, and picnic areas will remain open. Trail maintenance may be reduced.

oThe Rocky Springs Information Center will remain closed.

oOne of the two restrooms at the Rocky Springs campground will remain open. The second restroom in the campground and the restroom in the picnic area will be closed. The restrooms at the Information Center will be closed each Monday morning through Wednesday morning.

·Coles Creek (MS, milepost 17.5):

oThe picnic area will remain open.

oThe restrooms will be closed each Monday morning through Wednesday morning.

·Mount Locust Historic Site (MS, milepost 15.5):

oOperating hours remain unchanged; open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Operating hours may be reduced. Please see Operating Hours and Seasons for current times.

oThe restrooms at Mount Locust will be open during regular operating hours.

Parkway Landscape Maintenance:There will be a change in the landscape maintenance of the Parkway.

·The road shoulder area will be mowed 15-30 feet wide as needed to provide a safe pull-off area for motorists.

·Intersections, turnouts, and around buildings will be mowed on an as-needed basis.

·The remaining grassed areas of the Parkway will be mowed 1-2 times, and the wood line and agricultural fields will be mowed once.

·Trash pickup will be reduced by one day per week.