The federal government shutdown is beginning to have greater impacts across the country – including here in North Carolina, where disaster relief for some farmers is being delayed and national park officials are reporting increased vandalism.
North Carolina set aside $240 million to assist farmers who sustained losses during Hurricane Florence and Michael last year – but farmers applying for relief need a document from the federal Farm Service Agency, and the Fayetteville Observer reports that agency is now mostly closed.
The program is overseen by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and applications require certifications of acreage by the Farm Service Agency. State Department of Agriculture Chief Deputy Commissioner David Smith says about 900 farmers are waiting on that certification and more than 7,000 farmers say they need the program’s help.
The Farm Service Agency says it won’t be working on relief programs when some offices open Friday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile on the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is being vandalized while park staffers are furloughed during the ongoing partial federal government shutdown.
The Charlotte Observer cites a Thursday alert from the Outer Banks Preservation Association that says visitors have torn up National Park Service signs, left human waste outside bathroom and done “doughnuts in the sand” on vehicle-free beaches.
The National Park Service confirmed the incidents to the newspaper, and said human waste had been found as recently as Thursday outside two restrooms.
The association warned that NPS could deny the public access, but Cape Hatteras Superintendent David Hallac says problems haven’t risen to that level yet.
The park reopened some restrooms and picked up trash last weekend.
Other national parks across the country have reported vandalism.
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