North Dakota state government to help keep Theodore Roosevelt National Park open in event of government shutdown

(BISMARCK) – In the event of a federal government shutdown, Governor Doug Burgum says the state government will work to keep the state’s only national park open.

Burgum announced Friday that the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation has reached a tentative agreement with the National Park Service to help keep the Theodore Roosevelt National Park open in the event of a federal government shutdown. Should Congress not be able to come to an agreement to extend federal funding.

Pending the National Park Service approval, the state’s Department of Parks and Recreation would provide up to $100,000 to support full park operations for approximately three weeks.

Burgum said, however, that a prolonged shutdown of the federal government would require additional discussions to determine if the state’s involvement would continue.

The federal government shutdown could begin as soon as October 1.