Federal shutdown environmental impact muted at state level, but lasting effects likely

With the federal government shutdown dragging on, state agencies are working to forecast the impact on state services.

The Department of Natural Resources, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Zoo all presented updates to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Tuesday, detailing current impacts and plans to respond in the face of a long-lasting shutdown.

The shutdown has created a situation that each of the agency administrators noted is fluid and will require continued monitoring.

As for now, state agencies are completing what work they can, such as on projects requiring Environmental Protection Agency involvement, but those projects may have to be suspended. And programs directly managed by the federal government – such as national parks and forest services or wolf depredation work – are on hold entirely with limited personnel working without pay.

Many programs are continuing unabated, but face the specter of funding running out this spring. This includes DNR watercraft inspections on the Great Lakes and coastal restoration and protection on Lake Superior, and Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation and training projects. In some cases agencies are absorbing the costs of pay with an eye to billing the federal government for reimbursements after the shutdown.

“I don’t know how long the state resources can continue with that,” said DNR assistant commissioner Bob Meier.

Angie Becker-Kudelka, BWSR assistant director, said that once the federal government re-opens, the impacts will largely be felt through lag times as agencies work through applications for various permits.

But for more immediate services, such as waste removal and firefighting, both public safety issues for the shutdown-shuttered national lands system, a need to plan is already looming.

“As we move into spring and outdoor recreation season, this whole conversation is going to need to change, as far as our involvement if there is not a resolution at the federal level,” Meier said.