The partial United States government shutdown that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. today could impact travel, medical research, and millions of federal jobs.

There was no indication as of early Tuesday how long the latest shutdown, triggered by continued failure on the part of Congress to agree on a budget, would last. The last such shutdowns were for six days in 1995 and 21 days in 1996.Federal agencies will be scaling back services, but it's unclear exactly how the stalemate would impact peoples' everyday lives. The official U.S. government website contains only outdated information of what could possibly happen.Although local officials are not yet sure exactly what the impact will be on their departments and agencies, here's how the current government gridlock may impact our area:The Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County will remain open and staffed."Tobyhanna is not affected by the shutdown," Acting Public Affairs Officer David Jadick said early Tuesday.However, some of the depot's tenants federal agencies that lease space in the depot but are not under its auspices may be impacted.Carbon County Commissioners Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that he's concerned the county won't be receiving timely payments for services that are federally reimbursed, such as those for the Children and Youth Services agency."That's how it's going to cost us. That's the biggest concern I have right now," he said.The county Conservation District may also be affected.The shutdown also won't close the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs."VA medical centers, clinics and other health services have advance appropriations for 2014 and will remain open," Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Victoria Dillon said Tuesday.She said that funds will be available through late October to pay for claims processing and payments in the VA's education, compensation, pension, and vocational rehabilitation programs.Carbon County Director of Veterans Affairs Henry Desrosiers said that the shutdown "doesn't affect our office at all at this point. We're conducting everything as we do normally."Travel may also be affected.Carbon County Prothonotary Joann Behrens referred questions about passports to the federal travel website,

www.travel.state.gov.The site had the following notice early Tuesday morning: "In the event of a lapse in appropriations, the Department of State will continue passport and visa operations as well as provide critical services to U.S. citizens overseas."Processing times for passport applications remain at four weeks or less for routine service and two weeks door-to-door for expedited service. Customers planning to travel within two weeks or requiring passports to obtain foreign visas should make an appointment at the nearest passport agency.The shutdown will likely impact national parks, zoos and museums, all of which face temporary closure. Locally, state parks such as Beltzville Lake, will remain open.Social Security payments are expected to be sent out on time, but gun permits may not be processed as quickly.Federal workers, except for those in crucial jobs such as air traffic controllers, national security and national safety, are furloughed. Military personnel would continue to work and be paid; and yes, you must still pay your taxes.The U.S. Post Office will continue to operate as it does not operate on federal funds. Federal loans, for small businesses or mortgages, will be affected.