9 Utah Counties Declare State of Emergency due to “Economic Disruption”

Gov’t shutdown impacts tourism, prompts  emergency declaration in Utah counties

The closure of national parks across the country due to government shutdown is causing economic hardship in Utah, forcing nine counties to declare a state of emergency.

Commissioners from 9 Utah counties of Washington, Kane, San Juan, Garfield, Sevier, Grand, Iron, Wayne and Piute met Monday, along with representatives from Coconino and Mohave counties in Arizona, to discuss the economic impact of park closures on tourism-dependent communities, said a report.

Utah is experiencing a sharp drop-off in Tourism, which has left  many communities “eerily empty” toward the end of busiest season, the report quoted the county leaders as saying.

“We definitely need to get (the national parks) reopened. It’s been a huge financial impact on us already,” said Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner.

“The declaration emphasizes that a significant amount of Washington County residents rely on tourism dollars from the 3 million annual visitors who travel to Zion National Park, which also reaches into Iron and Kane counties.”

Gardner believes other Utah counties would adopt similar resolutions, declaring states of emergency due to economic hardship.

“A significant portion of the annual visitors come to Zion in the month of October to enjoy the fall temperatures and avoid the summer crowds. By no means has the tourism season ended at the beginning of October,” the declaration states.