By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/Arizona Daily Sun
Federal officials said Thursday they’re willing to reopen national parks with state dollars — but only in a way that may make it financially impossible.
Blake Androff, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Interior, said his agency will “consider agreements with governors who indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Parks Service personnel to reopen national parks in their states.” The next step, he said, is working out the details.
But Androff told Capitol Media Services that Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will entertain only state offers to open the entire park. He said proposals for partial reopening will not be considered.
Dave Uberuaga, superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, said the exact figure for full reopening is still being worked out. But he said it is “north of $100,000 a day,” far more than the estimated $30,000 a day for a partial reopening.
