Lassen Park tightens belt

Visitors to Lassen Volcanic National Park this winter will notice a lingering effect of the recent government shutdown.

The park’s Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center—except for its restrooms and vestibule—will be closed from Dec. 1 through March 31 “due to the ongoing budget concerns,” according to a Lassen Park press release. The U.S. Congress “provided funds to operate the [national] parks through January 15, with final funding to be resolved after that,” the press release explained.

“Alternatives to closing the visitor center were analyzed,” said Park Superintendent Darlene Koontz. “However, faced with continuing budget uncertainty, hard decisions had to be made to ensure that the park can provide services to winter visitors while maintaining adequate funding in reserve for summer when our visitation is highest.”