DENVER — To spur local economies hamstrung by the government shutdown and resulting national park closures, President Obama is allowing states to fund national parks during the government shutdown. In Utah, the state has agreed to pay the National Park Service up to $1.67 million to reopen eight parks and monuments. The following is a statement from the Center for Western Priorities’ Trevor Kincaid:
The Administration’s ability to make the best of the bad situation they were forced into will buy time for communities hemorrhaging revenue and income they need to survive. Hundreds of millions have already been lost and will never be recovered for small businesses, guide services, and others who depend on the national parks at their doorstep. Tis shutdown illustrates the invaluable economic contribution our public lands offer. Hopefully it’s not forgotten once Congress reopens the government.”