Current River Below Montauk Shut Down?

[trout_bum]

I was planning a trip to the Current next Wednesday, and I was wondering if they weren't allowing access below Montauk due to the government being shut down. I don't want to waste a trip if they aren't allowing access.

[moguy1973]

No. Accesses are open as is the river. Only the campgrounds are closed.

[Phil Lilley]

Not true... I fished with Darrell Bentley today at Montauk and he told me they are arresting anyone who tries to float or wade any part of the river from the park to Van Buren. Federal agents told him this. 2 guys were arrested yesterday Friday trying to put a canoe in at TanVat.

[Jerry Rapp]

arrested for what? Accessing public land? Communism here we come.

[MattS]

Not true... I fished with Darrell Bentley today at Montauk and he told me they are arresting anyone who tries to float or wade any part of the river from the park to Van Buren. Federal agents told him this. 2 guys were arrested yesterday Friday trying to put a canoe in at TanVat.

Well there goes next weekend's fishing plans...

[bfishn]

For Jerry's entertainment;

[fishinwrench]

Arrested, or asked to leave ? I'd be interested in knowing what (if anything) they are being charged with.

[hank franklin]

The river is open, any federal access points are closed. This according to RH Traveler, which is an excellent source of information.

http://rhtrav.com/wordpress/clearing-up-riverways-rumors-river-open-park-closed/?utm_source=TravTalkNewsletterlist&utm_campaign=f7495be99e-TravTalk_No_28_10_11_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_31a644a2ae-f7495be99e-346264441

[jdmidwest]

You could access at Tan Vat and any other place that a County Road boarders or crosses it. I don't know about Baptist Access, I think there is a Federal Forestry road down to it. Parker may be the same way.

Phil is right, they were running them off the river on the first few days. Then they opened the river but not many of the access points. All Federal campgrounds and ramps are closed.

[Muddler4]

Akers is state Hwy K, Cedar Grove is Co Rd 650/651, Parkers is Co Rd 652, Baptist is Co Rd 653 (Does the forest service control that access?), Tan Vat is off Co Rd 644. As I stated previously I’m having a hard time understanding this even though I understand the Current is a part of the ONSR. Is this just a power play of some sort? I guess the NPS which controls the ONSR is saying the river is theirs and they are patrolling it now that they are “off work”. Oddly if I were checked now on the Current it would be the first time since about 15 years ago. I wish they would enforce regs that much when they are “on work”. Not trying to be a smart guy there, just saying I like reg enforcement and wish I saw more of it. Anyone have the official documented word on closure? Of course the NPS - ONSR web site is down.