National Parks to Close , Amid Government Shutdown.<br />As Congress has yet to pass a funding measure before the Sept. 30 deadline, a government shutdown appears imminent, Politico reports. .<br />On Sept. 29, the Biden administration announced that if a shutdown goes into effect, most of the nation's national parks will close.<br />The Interior Department will maintain crucial park duties, but staff who tend to visitors will be furloughed, Politico reports. .<br />At [National Park] sites across the country, gates will be locked, visitor centers will be closed, and thousands <br />of park rangers will be furloughed, The Interior Department, via fact sheet.<br />Accordingly, the public will be encouraged <br />not to visit sites during the period of lapse <br />in appropriations out of consideration for protection of natural and cultural resources, <br />as well as visitor safety, The Interior Department, via fact sheet.<br />However, state governments have the option of using their own money to keep parks open.<br />Arizona and Utah plan to utilize that course of <br />action "to keep the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands <br />national parks" open, Politico reports. .<br />Arizona and Utah plan to utilize that course of <br />action "to keep the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands <br />national parks" open, Politico reports. .<br />Arizona and Utah plan to utilize that course of <br />action "to keep the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands <br />national parks" open, Politico reports. .<br />We expect to be reimbursed, just as federal employees receive back pay during a shutdown, and we have communicated this to the Department of Interior, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, via statement.<br />Last year, over 312 million people <br />visited national parks, bringing in <br />about $24 billion for local economies.<br />The decision to shut them down contrasts actions taken by the Trump administration amid a 2018 government shutdown, Politico reports.<br />During that year's 35-day shutdown, parks <br />remained open without staff. Several, such as <br />Joshua Tree National Park, were damaged by visitors
