West Virginia Pays to Keep National Parks Open

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a donation agreement with the National Park Service to keep New River Gorge National Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park fully operational during the federal government shutdown. The state will pay $97,986.56 from its civil contingency fund to cover 14 days of operations — $31,477.60 for New River Gorge and $66,508.96 for Harpers Ferry (about $7,000 per day) — to restore visitor centers, services and Harpers Ferry public transportation. Morrisey's office says West Virginia is the first state to secure such an agreement. Officials said the expenditure is justified by tourism revenue during the peak October foliage season and invited visitors to plan trips, but the two-week arrangement will be reevaluated if the shutdown continues. By contrast, many other parks remain open with curtailed staffing and services, as at Indiana Dunes National Park where rangers and volunteer programs are suspended.