Government Shutdown Closes Morton Wildlife Refuge in Noyac

If you were looking forward to the hike this weekend at the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Noyac just blame the government for having to find something else to do.

Because of the federal government shutdown, the Wildlife Refuge is closed, and the beach walk on Jessup's Neck that the Southampton Trails Preservation Society had scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled.

Due to the lapse in appropriated funds, all public lands managed by the Interior Department, such as national parks and national wildlife refuges are closed.

What happens if the shutdown ends before Sunday?

Chip Dineen, the leader, would make the call whether to have the hike if the Wildlife Refuge should open before Sunday. "My guess is he will just pass on reviving it," said Bob Wolfram, who made the announcement. "We've never had a situation like this before!"

Federal employees based at the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Shirley maintain the 187-acre Morton refuge, established in 1954 through a donation from the Morton family.