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News Release Archive
Reclamation Delays Opening Camping Area Due to Sequestration
Media Contact:
John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 03/28/2013 07:42
Stephanie Utter, sutter@usbr.gov
For Release: March 28, 2013
EPHRATA, Wash. - The Bureau of Reclamation will delay opening Scooteney Park for overnight use due to sequestration that impacts hiring employees to maintain the facilities for public health and safety, but the day-use area will remain open.
Scooteney Recreation Area near Connell, Wash., will be closed to camping until further notice. Due to a federal hiring freeze, Reclamation is unable to employ the personnel needed to maintain the park and ensure public safety.
"Our first priority is public safety and without the ability to hire key personnel to maintain the park, we have no choice but to delay opening the park to overnight use until further notice," Ephrata Field Office Manager Stephanie Utter said.
Scooteney Park averages about 45,000 visitors a year with nearly 6,000 utilizing the campground. Many visitors travel from larger surrounding cities such as Seattle, Spokane, and Tri-Cities. The park sits on about 1,200 acres that offers 36 campsites and day-use facilities.
The nearest alternative camping location is Potholes State Park located approximately 35 miles to the northwest of Scooteney Park.
For more information, contact Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office at (509) 754-0200. A pre-recorded message offering information about the delayed opening for overnight camping at Scooteney Park can be heard at (509) 234-0527.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
