Fort Pulaski faces impacts due to government shutdown

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - With the government shutdown, national parks are working on a skeleton crew.

“The problem is in the past with national parks we’ve seen issues with like vandalism, people going into the parks doing things they’re not supposed to do because they have such a small staff,” said Kimberly Martin, associate professor of political science at Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus. “So then of course people won’t be able to visit national parks.”

Kimberly Martin said the longer the shutdown is, the bigger the burden becomes.

Martin also said congress has to come to a spending agreement for the government to reopen.

“In this case it has to do with health care and health care funding,” said Martin.

A family visiting Fort Pulaski from Arizona told WTOC they are history buffs, and when they saw the closed sign they were upset.

“Not good,” said the Crago family. “Frustrating. Disappointed.”

The Crago family said they were still going to try and explore.

“Well we just wish that the federal government would think about the citizens and the taxpayers of this country and do what’s right for us so that we can enjoy the national monuments that have been created,” said Nanette Warner.

As of now, the majority of national park employees are on furlough resulting in most national parks being closed until the Government reopens.