Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on October 3 that West Virginia had signed a donor agreement with the National Park Service to fully reopen the state’s national park facilities amid the federal government shutdown. The governor’s office said West Virginia was the first state in the nation to do so.
“We recognize the importance of our parks to the local economy and hardworking West Virginians, as well as the many visitors who want to enjoy our state’s natural beauty,” said Morrisey.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park are currently open to visitors and are expected to return to full operations in the next few days, said the governor’s office.
In response to questions from the press, the governor’s office said West Virginia provided $97,986 to the National Park Service to cover the operational costs of the New River Gorge and Harper’s Ferry visitors centers for 14 days.
Of the total donation, $66,509 is for Harpers Ferry and $31,477 goes toward the New River Gorge operations, said the governor’s press office.
Officials said West Virginia will not be reimbursed for those funds when the shutdown ends but any unused money will be returned to the state if the government reopens sooner than the 14-day period covered under the arrangement.
