Looming Sequester Cuts Will Hurt Parks & Parkway

Appomattox Court House and the Blue Ridge Parkway, are among nearly 400 units of the National Park Service, bracing for the FEDs, March 1 deadline for a sequester measure. Park officials say such federal spending cuts would mean limited ability for the state’s park service to sustain a full complement of seasonal employees; when there is insufficient staff, it means reducing hours of operation and possibly closing camping, hiking and other recreational areas. Economic Development officials say local communities and businesses that rely on recreation to support their livelihoods would face a loss of income from reduced visitation—the parkway passes through Amherst, Bedford and Nelson Counties.