A.T. Volunteer Standdown due to Lapse in Federal Appropriations

A.T. Club Leaders in Virginia:

At 12:01 a.m. Oct 1, 2025, the U.S. government is in lapse in appropriations. During this lapse in appropriations, units of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail will remain open to the public wishing to recreate. While the Appalachian Trail remains accessible to visitors, no volunteer maintenance or other volunteer activities will be conducted.

A.T. VIP volunteers should cease work on the A.T. and its side trails immediately. The NPS Volunteer in Parks (VIP) program (on NPS and state lands) is suspended. The USFS Volunteers in Forests (VIF) program covers volunteers on National Forest lands; any program suspension will be conveyed from the personnel in those forests. VIP/VIF programs extend authorization to work and, in the event of an accident, extend worker compensation protections. Any suspension of these programs means all physical work should stop since any volunteer accident would expose A.T. workers, their clubs and ATC to medical costs or other expenses.

Except for NPS-APPA Chief Ranger Kurt Speers, most APPA park personnel have been furloughed, as have most of the staff in the six national park units crossed by the Trail.

NPS lands are closed but accessible and include the six other National Parks through which the A.T. passes. The remainder of the Trail through state and municipal management agency lands, as well as a few other federal agencies, remains accessible. While shelters, vistas and privies will generally remain open to visitors, volunteers are reminded not to engage in maintenance or clean-up of these facilities during this time. If a health/safety issue arises on NPS lands due to privy or garbage issues, notify Chief Ranger Speers to discuss if action can be taken with special permission.

We urge your compliance in honoring the volunteer standdown orders to ensure the safety and protection of all volunteers. The NPS-APPA main number is (304) 535-6278. It will be checked daily but should not be used for emergency purposes.

If you have any other questions, please call your ATC regional office.

Related to upcoming Regional Partnership Committee Meetings, participation by A.T. Club representatives is welcome. Participants should be advised that they will be participating without VIP/VIF protection and are encouraged to be as safety conscious as they would any other time related to hazards and appropriate precautions. If your region will also host a partnership hike, note that is categorized as a recreational opportunity.

ATC’s Trail Updates webpage for visitors to the A.T.

APPA CONTACT INFORMATION
Kurt Speers
Chief Ranger
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
kurt_speers@nps.gov
Cell: 540-784-0301