A resolution will be introduced in the Utah State Legislature to allow the state to co-manage the “Mighty Five” national parks.
Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, told FOX 13 News he will introduce a bill that would seek to have the state enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Interior to help manage the parks, including addressing more than $400 million in deferred maintenance projects and staffing shortages.
“It could be decades, if ever, if the federal government sufficiently funds these fabulous resources,” Rep. Eliason said in an interview.
Utah has five national parks — Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion. Rep. Eliason said in exchange, the state could keep some of the money the parks generate. He insisted the resolution would not open the parks up for development.
“The federal government would maintain ownership of the land. It would be a joint maintenance agreement,” Rep. Eliason said. “No, we’re not looking to do anything like that. It’s just to fix the bridges, fix the trails, work on the campgrounds, the water systems, all those types of systems that are way past due.”
Read the original story at Fox 13 News.
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