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Govt. Shutdown Would Disrupt Camping Vacations

 ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A government shutdown could disrupt the July Fourth holiday for those planning to use Minnesota's 66 state parks and six recreation areas.

More than 3,000 campsites have been reserved in state parks for the holiday weekend. And, if a state budget agreement is not reached before then, Minnesota parks will close at 4 p.m. next Thursday. The Department of Natural Resources says campers disrupted by a government shutdown will get refunds.

The DNR expects to lose about $1 million in revenue each week during a potential shutdown. That includes revenue from camping fees, vehicle permits and sales of firewood and merchandise.

Jessica Letcher of Le Sueur tells Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/kL0XWq ) she and her husband planned to visit Minnesota's North Shore this summer, but will head to North Dakota's badlands instead because of the uncertainty in Minnesota.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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