KANSAS CITY – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District has closed USACE-operated campgrounds and day-use parks due to the shutdown of the federal government for lack of fiscal 2014 funding legislation. The closure includes federal facilities at Melvern and Pomona lakes.

Affected recreation areas will remain closed until after the shutdown is lifted. This includes all visitor facilities, campgrounds, boat ramps and similar facilities at all 18 lake projects in the Kansas City District.

Campers who were on site prior to the shutdown were required to vacate the campground Oct. 2. Campers were allowed to elect to leave their campsite reservations open for possible use after the shutdown is lifted. Campers received a refund for any unused portion of their reservations.

Customers scheduled to arrive while the shutdown is in effect may cancel their reservations for a full refund. These customers may also elect to leave reservations open for possible use after the shutdown is lifted and request a refund for any unused portion of their reservation due to the shutdown. To request a refund, contact the reservation customer service at 1-888-448-1474 (TDD 1-877-833-6777). The reservation service will automatically cancel reservations after a customer’s scheduled departure date during the shutdown period if the park is closed and the customer chooses to do nothing.

All employees within the district have been notified of their status. Exempt personnel are those that are working on activities that have sufficient prior year funding and will not be furloughed until such funds are exhausted. Excepted employees are those who perform emergency work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property or other types of excepted work such as hydropower and flood control. They will not be furloughed. All other employees will be placed on furlough.

Furloughed employees will return to work the next business day following the passing of an appropriations bill. Employees should regularly check the Office of Personnel Management website for updates at www.opm.gov or follow the news.

The district will post current information on the closure and reopening of facilities on the Kansas City District’s website at www.nwk.usace.army.mil.