Sequester break.

• Position: Western

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway generated more than $1 billion and supported almost 16,000 jobs in nearby communities in 2011, but those benefits are sure to suffer with federal budget cuts known as sequestration forcing portions of both to stay closed this year. The National Park Service's annual budget of $3 billion was trimmed 5%, including a $944,000 reduction at Great Smoky Mountains to $17.5 million, requiring a hiring freeze that means 10 of 200 permanent positions will go unfilled and seasonal hires, typically 150, will drop by nine. Fewer roads and trails will be maintained, and it will take longer to respond...