The Horicon National Wildlife Refuge finds itself partly open and partly closed as the federal government shutdown continues.
Massive numbers of migrating waterfowl draw many people to Horicon this time of year. The northern two-thirds of the marsh — that operated by the federal government — is now closed. The Horicon Chamber of Commerce, however, is emphasizing that the southern third of the marsh, which is overseen by the state's Department of Natural Resources, is open, and that people are coming out to see the birds.
Chamber official Karen Boersma says she's not too worried yet about a drop in visitors to the area, but is concerned about the Washington politicians behind the shutdown. “I think it's very unsettling to have this ... what you could call war, between parents, and I think every person, regardless of what side of the political spectrum you're on, you're very concerned at this moment.”
Boersma says it's sad that wildlife officials in federal part of the marsh had planned a lot of great visitor events this month, and now those events may not happen.
