Updated: Ballard Locks to remain open for vessels if government shuts down, pedestrian access will close

Geeky Swedes Ballard

Updated 7:45 a.m.: A budget agreement has been reached, there will be no government shutdown.

Updated 4:45 p.m.: This just in from the Army Corps of Engineers:

The current Continuing Resolution Authority expires at midnight tonight, should federal funds become unavailable, the following locations and services to the public would be affected until funding became available:

  • Vessel navigation would continue to remain available through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard, however staffing limitations may cause longer locking times.
  • The park grounds at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard would be closed, including access through the park.
  • The Corps of Engineers’ Regulatory permitting offices would close.
  • The Corps of Engineers’ aerial maps and engineering records section would be closed.
  • The park at Mud Mountain Dam would be closed, and rangers would not be patrolling trails or other access points.
  • Corps of Engineers-maintained boat ramps at Chief Joseph Dam, Libby Dam and on Lake Pend Orielle would not be patrolled by Corps staff.
  • Visitor Centers, campgrounds and day-use facilities will be closed at all Corps locks and dams.
  • Security personnel will remain on staff at all Corps dams.

    • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing for the closure of all Corps-operated campgrounds and day-use parks nationwide beginning Saturday, April 9, if the potential shutdown of the federal government goes into effect. Affected recreation areas would not reopen until after the shutdown is lifted.

    An update will be provided, if conditions change.

    Updated: We just got this notice from the Army Corps of Engineers:

    If a federal government shutdown is ordered, the Chittenden Locks in Ballard will remain open to vessel traffic, but lockings may be slowed due to staffing limitations. We will notify mariners if the situation changes.

    Patricia Graesser with the Corps tells us that they do not know about foot traffic at this point. In the event that there is no funding, she says that the Corps parks could be closed. Once they have specific information, she will let us know.

    Earlier: In the event of a government shutdown, Kiro7 is reporting that the Ballard Locks could cease operation.

    “The Army Corps of Engineers said it does not know yet for sure, but the possibility exists that no boats would be able to pass through the locks,” according to Kirotv.com. Fisherman Jeff Coyne tells the news station that he knows of three tug boat companies and five salmon processing companies that would be directly affected if the Locks were to close. And of course all the recreational boaters would be affected, as well.

    A representative from the Corps told Kiro7 that they don’t expect to get official word from the government until the possible shutdown goes into effect, which could happen tomorrow. More information and video from Kiro7 can be found here. A good FAQ on the possible government shutdown can be found here.

    Geeky Swedes

    The founders of My Ballard

    62 thoughts to “Updated: Ballard Locks to remain open for vessels if government shuts down, pedestrian access will close”

    1. Doesnt seem conistent… Arent maintaining navigable waterways an essential public service? And if not, then can we extend rush hour limitations on tge ballard bridge openings?

    4. No, all because the Democrats ignored their constitutional obligation to pass a budget in 2010, for 2011, because they didn’t have the balls to do it before an election. They would have gotten bitch slapped in the election even worse then they did.

      I love it when Rubes self identify.

    5. When the employee who unlocks the gate every morning is furloughed, then yes, the gates will remain locked and foot passage will not be possible.

    6. so do you agree that Planned Parenthood should be defunded as a policy rider? How about the Republican policy rider that says law enforcement won’t be allowed to track people who stockpile weapons, or that the EPA shouldn’t be permitted to enforce the law?

    7. Only certain employees are considered “essential” not entire services. All programs will be affected. There may be an essential employee there to maintain safety, but not operations. It’s going to be a mess. It seems that Congress is unaware of how much money is wasted every year when they fail to pass a budget until the fiscal year is more than half way over. It would be fiscally responsible to cut their losses for 2011 and get to work on 2012. As a gov’t employee I can tell you that 2011 is a complete loss for our program anyway. We’d like to prepare for next year and spend the money we’re allotted responsibly.

    9. In the past 16 years — 10 of which were controlled by Republicans, four by Democrats and two with mixed leadership in the chambers — Congress did not meet its statutory deadline for approving the spending bills.

    10. No, all because the teabaggers ignored all common sense and have an obligation to the other nutcases to obstruct all government services in the name of douchebaggery and insanity.
      BTW, You won’t be able to get gun permits during the shutdown either.

    11. The Dems tried for months last year to set a budget, only to have it filibustered in the Senate over and over, and they were not able to get a 2/3 majority to get it passed. This simple fact doesn’t fit in to the rep talking points, so it isn’t brought up much…

    13. Just got this in an email:

      If a federal government shutdown is ordered, the Chittenden Locks in Ballard will remain open to vessel traffic, but lockings may be slowed due to staffing limitations. We will notify mariners if the situation changes.

      Additional details about other Seattle District operations will be released later today.

    14. Planned Parenthood makes plenty of money on their own. If they need more you can give, that’s called charity. If you take it from me, and give it away, it’s called theft.

    15. So you agree that the Democrats shirked their responsibility to pass a budget in 2010 because they lacked the balls to do it before an election? Can you imagine how much worse the drubbing they received in the election would have been had they actually been honest and passed a budget?

    18. So with majorities in the House, Senate, and the President in the White House you’re going to blame the Tea Party for the Democrats not having the balls to pass a budget in 2010? Wow, mental illness is alive and well in Ballard.

    20. So the best you can do is name calling? Did you learn that from your third grader? Please grow up and answer the question. Why didn’t the Democrats, who had majorities in both houses, pass a budget for 2011 when required by the constitution? The answer is a lack of balls my friend.

    23. I just love how “productive” private sector folks are always the ones posting tons of comments on online message boards like myballard and the SeattleTimes.

      TTTCOTTH – Color me impressed with your work ethic.
      I’m a private sector employee that loves to take the occasional break on the message boards, but I don’t wax rhapsodic about my work ethic. Give me a break.

    26. Gee read the article, the locks will NOT BE CLOSED!

      “If a federal government shutdown is ordered, the Chittenden Locks in Ballard will remain open to vessel traffic, but lockings may be slowed due to staffing limitations. We will notify mariners if the situation changes.”

    29. Democrats weren’t filibuster-proof since Kennedy died in mid-2009.

      2010 was one endless Republican filibuster.

      But good for you, refusing to let facts interrupt your narrative!

    30. Democrats didn’t have a filibuster-proof 60 votes since Kennedy died in mid-2009.

      2010 was one endless Republican filibuster.

      But good for you, refusing to let facts interrupt your narrative!

    32. Until their house catches on fire or the lights go out or the toilet won’t flush or their money is no good at the corner store or their SUV runs out of gas. Go ahead, TTTCOTTH, I dare you. Be completely and absolutely self-sufficient for, say, one day. Betcha can’t do it.

    33. The answer is obstructionism and Republican political calculation at the expense of the well-being of the country. And don’t call me your “friend.”

    34. “BTW, You won’t be able to get gun permits during the shutdown either. ”

      Permit? I don’t need no stinkin’ permit. Neither do you.

    35. 3% of Planned Parenthood’s budget is abortion related and that is already a part of their expenses that can’t come from the federal government.
      This whole thing is just political theater for the right wing idiots and teabaggers.

    36. The teabaggers were calling themselves teabaggers first so I’ll keep calling them that too.
      The shutdown if it happens, will be 100% the fault of the GOP and the teabaggers, but I see that you got a talking point that you can’t let go of no matter how wrong it is.

    38. I don’t think anyone would notice if you were shutdown, but the government shutdown will most certainly create a lot of problems and cost a ton of money just like it did in the nineties.

    42. Dream on Buckwheat. 60 in the Senate, 238 in the House. If Democrats got in line there could be no filibuster. You seem to be unable to recognize reality. Then again that is a Democrat trait isn’t it.

    50. Actually, I believe “Pigeon” is a common name for a family of birds. “Family” is two taxonomic ranks above “Species” (“Genus” is between them) and “Race” actually denotes a subpopulation within a species. So, defining pigeons as a race would be like defining Orangutans as, for example, Clueless White Guys. Before you jump all over this, look it up and save yourself some embarrassment.

      But, I digress. I wasn’t actually addressing that aspect of Guest’s remark (indeed, the “race” issue was introduced in SPG’s response to it). It was the “free pigeon feeding” metaphor I was calling hyperbole, which, as a rhetorical device of intentional exaggeration intended to provoke a response, it certainly was.

      Is your dog the one I see trying to hump everything in sight at the dog park? I can see where he comes by it.

    51. no, it’s not. it’s a democracy and both parties are involved. you’re looking to find fault since you’re leanings are not getting their way. try living in the middle east. you wouldn’t even have this forum.

    57. I love hearing Republicans bitching about spending on social programs. Spend a billion dollars fighting a war halfway around the world and one more than half the US is against? Yeah, we’re cool with that.

      Spend a couple million on giving healthcare to poor women in our own country? Blasphemy!

    59. So why didn’t you man stop the wars? Dem’s had the White House, and veto proof majorities in both houses for two solid years. Is your man that inept? Let me answer that for you. Yes, because he doesn’t have the balls.

    60. I have to admit, I actually love Liberals. They give me hours of entertainment. They consider themselves more generous because they approve of the way other peoples tax money is spent, and they feel more compassionate because, well, because they feel more compassionate. Not because you actually do anything. I guess I can also glean from your comments that you’re intellectually superior to me. If that floats your boat, keep thinking that. It makes absolutely no difference to me. Bless you.

    61. Wow, you make a lot of assumptions about what I “do” and what I “feel”. But that’s the standard Conservative line, isn’t it? Never actually address the issue, just bloviate about how so-called Liberals are bleeding hearts who have no intellect or smugly superior intellectuals who have no common sense. I’m glad you find me entertaining. I find you depressingly predictable.

    Leave a Reply