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House Republicans request emergency federal funding to keep Utah’s national parks staffed during shutdown

Three of Utah’s congressmen are asking for federal funds to keep the state’s national parks fully staffed on an emergency basis to protect public safety as the government shutdown stretches into its third week.

The three representatives — Republicans Rob Bishop, Chris Stewart and John Curtis — wrote in a Friday letter that while there is some access to Utah’s national parks, they believe the federal government “has the authority to do more” in funding the parks to the fullest extent.

As part of the Department of Interior shutdown contingency plans, all national parks and monuments remain open to visitors, but it doesn’t provide visitor services, like restrooms, trash collection, and road and facility maintenance.