Utah national parks are set to open by Saturday after being closed due to the government shutdown. Fed up with the loss of tourism dollars, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert made a deal on Thursday night, saying that the state will pay to keep the parks open itself. Funds were wired to the Interior Department to get the parks open after 10 days of being closed.
"C'mon down to Southern Utah. We expect you'll have a great time in Southern Utah and our parks are open," Herbert said according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The taxpayers of Utah are loaning the federal government $1.7 million, which is enough to keep five national parks open and some national monuments open for 10 days. These sites include the parks Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef and Natural Bridges, Glen Canyon and Cedar Breaks national monuments.
"The people who make their livelihood off tourism and travel, this is a godsend for them. They've been decimated," the governor said.
October is a huge tourist season for the state at $100 million in revenue is brought in during the period. This deal will mean that the parks will be open during the Columbus Day holiday weekend and during the period in which Utah schools are off for fall recess.
Earlier this week, Herbert wrote to President Obama, asking if the state could keep the parks open. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell reached out to Herbert on Thursday and said they would consider the offer.
The Legislature will meet on Wednesday to determine if funds can be approved for beyond 10 days. An act of Congress would be necessary to approve the repayment of funds. Herbert said he is working with congressional delegation to ensure that the money is repaid after the shutdown is over.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
