US National parks rush to repair damage after shutdown
AP
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National parks across the US are scrambling to clean up and repair damage that visitors and storms caused during the recent government shutdown.

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In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, without tourists and park rangers to discourage them during the government shutdown, elephant seals have expanded their pupping grounds in Point Reyes National Seashore, Calif. (Photo: AP)

A full accounting of damage across more than 400 National Park Service locations isn't known. The agency says damage is isolated and most visitors took good care of the land.

Some parks reported human waste, piles of trash, graffiti and unauthorized trails.

Many parks were unstaffed during the 35-day shutdown. Others had skeleton crews with local governments and nonprofits contributing money and volunteers.

President Donald Trump has said another shutdown could start before the busy Presidents Day weekend this month if an agreement isn't reached on funding for a border wall.

The prospect is compounding pressure the park service faces to catch up on repairs and maintenance.