Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The gates to the Isle Royale National Park Headquarters, in Houghton, were locked and the site appeared as if abandoned on the first day of the federal government shutdown Wednesday. A sign posted on the fence states simply due to a lapse in federal appropriations, the park is closed.

HOUGHTON – Telephone calls to two of the Upper Peninsula’s three national parks went unanswered Wednesday, the first day of the Federal government’s shutdown.

An Isle Royale National Park recorded telephone message states: “Due to the Federal Government shutdown, we are not in the office and we are not able to respond to phone calls. We will check messages when the government operations resume and we are back in the office. We will get back to you as soon as we are able. Thank you.”

On Wednesday, the Isle Royale National Park posted on its Facebook page announcing only basic or no visitor services, maintenance or other management activities will be conducted, and emergency services will be limited.

“Due to the current lapse in federal government appropriations,” the post says, “Isle Royale websites and social media accounts are not being maintained or monitored, except for emergency communications.”

While the Ranger III’s passenger service to the island ended on Sept. 13, the vessel continues with its “freight season,” after the tourist season, according the Isle Royale National Park website, transporting rangers and supplies to and from Mott Administrative Island, Rock Harbor and Windigo. The Ranger III left Houghton Tuesday morning. Whether the ship will be permitted to return to Houghton could not be learned.

Isle Royale Seaplanes, based in Hubbell, ended its seasonal flights to Isle Royale on Sept. 20, before the shutdown began.

Copper Harbor-based Isle Royale Line, which operates the Isle Royale Queen IV, ended its seasonal trips to the island on Tuesday, according to its website. Attempts to contact the services were not successful.

At the Keweenaw National Historical Park (KNHP), a staff employee answered the telephone and said essential staff are required to report to work during a government shutdown. However, KNHP Superintendent Wyndeth Davis did not return telephone calls, but in an email said all press inquiries are being routed to NewsMedia.nps.gov. No closure information is available on the site.

A source close to KNHP, who asked not to be identified, said as of Wednesday, staff there are not permitted to use their laptops, official accounts, or respond to inquiries. Because KNHP is involved in the protection of some federal lands, a limited number of personnel are permitted to remain, but no other details are available.

The NPS’ contingency plan for 2025 says staffing at the park sites will be on a case-by-case basis, with minimal services provided. If a building or facility is normally locked or secured during non-business hours, it also needs to be locked or secured for the duration of a shutdown.

Due to the dramatic differences in accessibility, operations, size, visitation, location, and infrastructure

represented in national park sites, the number of employees required to carry out the excepted activities

defined above will vary from site to site, the contingency plan says.

Excepted staffing will be held to the amount needed for the protection of life, property, and public health and safety, and will be based on the assumption that the NPS is conducting no park operations and providing no visitor services. The final authority to approve

or disapprove of activities within a specific unit lies with the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife

and Parks.