Dear Director Ashe:

The Committee on Natural Resources ("Committee") is conducting oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ("FWS") preparation for and activities during the recent lapse in appropriations and shutdown of the federal government, including the process used for determining which employees were exempt from furlough; the decision to restrict public access to National Wildlife Refuge System sites that are not regularly fenced, staffed, or patrolled; and the related closure of concessionaires and state lands affiliated with the Refuge System.

A letter was sent on October 11, 2013 requesting that document related to the shutdown be preserved and indicating that the Committee would be following up with this formal oversight request letter.

Read the entire letter HERE.