ZION NATIONAL PARK – Because of the recent shutdown of the American government, national parks and monuments are closed, leaving local as well as international tourist locked out.
Official Zion National Park flyers handed out at the entrance to the park said: “Park Rangers are enforcing the closure under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations. Zion-Carmel Highway is open to through traffic only. No stopping or recreating.”
Aly Baltrus, public information officer for Zion National Park, greeted several dozen people at the Springdale walk-in entrance to Zion around 8 a.m. on Saturday.
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Videocast by John Teas, St. George News
There were no protest signs, shouting or violence. According to the protesters it was a display of civil disobedience over what they called “a closure of public lands.”
In total, there were about five park rangers present to maintain the peace. It is a federal misdemeanor to enter a closed national park, Baltrus said to the “occupiers.”
“We will be taking photos of the trespassers and documenting their actions,” Baltrus said. “No citations were written today at the gate. We were there simply as observers.”
When a dozen or so protesters climbed the closed and locked entrance gate, the park rangers did not physically stop or detain any of them.
“The issue goes beyond hiking and exploring the park,” Baltrus said. “With only a handful of people to administer to both the needs of the park and the people that want to see Zion National Park, we simply do not have the required staff. What if there was a traffic accident, or the need for search and rescue?” she said. “Public safety comes first.”
Considering the daily operation of the park, requiring such jobs as waste removal, traffic control and land management, over 10,000 daily visitors creates a significant impact on the park.
Jason Majchrzak, from Chicago said he added several days of personal time to sightsee in the Utah National Parks prior to attending a work conference in Salt Lake City starting Monday.
“I have had this trip planned for about six months or so,” Majchrzak said. “This was my chance to come see and hike in Zion and Bryce. I am disappointed.”
Krista Nelson had put together a petition to send to Washington D.C. “in an effort to have the people’s voice heard,” she said. “Our national parks are being held hostage for a political agenda.”
“When Congress passes a budget we will be able to get the parks back open,” Baltrus said. “Every contact we have is a negative contact and we don’t like to have those. So really we are trying to do everything we can to just sort of keep us going until we can get fully open.”
Springdale resident Larry McKown has been distributing information and maps with alternative locations of sights to see in the area. Toaquim’s Village Gift Shop was open offering handouts directing people to those locations.
Utah’s own website now includes webpages with national park advisories for those traveling Utah.
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"Occupy Zion" protest event at entrance to Zion National Park. Springdale, Utah, Oct. 5, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Entrance to Zion National Park. Springdale, Utah, Oct. 5, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
"Occupy Zion" protest event at entrance to Zion National Park. Springdale, Utah, Oct. 5, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
L-R: Zion National Park spokeswoman Aly Baltrus, St. George News reporter Dan Mabbutt, at "Occupy Zion" protest event at entrance to Zion National Park. Springdale, Utah, Oct. 5, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George News reporter Dan Mabbutt contributed to this report.
Resources
Utah.gov traveler advisory re national parks in Utah
Related posts
- Shutdown: Visitors ignore closure order, Grand Canyon National Park reacts with closure of Highway 64
- Shutdown impacts Springdale, Washington County tourism
- Bryce Canyon businesses say ‘it’s hurting bad;’ impact of government shutdown, alternatives for tourists – Includes alternatives for tourists
- Shutdown: Zion National park closes, what else is affected? – Includes alternatives for tourists
- Utah congressmen speak to government shutdown
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Welcome to YOUR National Park!
NO HUNTING
NO FISHING
NO SHOOTING
NO VEHICLES OFF ROAD
NO PETS OFF LEASH
NO OUT OF BOUNDS CAMPING
NO BACK COUNTRY HIKING WITHOUT A PERMIT
ENJOY YOUR National Park!
And your point is??? It’s a park knucklehead. It wouldn’t be if there was a bunch of hillbillies riding around on four wheelers shooting everything. Wow.
If the federal government is incapable of operating these parks in times of distress, then perhaps it is time for the federal lands to be turned over to the state for management instead. National parks can be come state parks and the states can benefit from the revenue generated by these places.
My sentiments exactly. The federal government has no business dictating what happens in a state. Up close and personal is a much better way to run government.
agreed^^