By John Swallow and Anthony Rampton
The closure and re-opening of Utah’s national
parks offer a dramatic demonstration of the need to have greater state
and local control over programs and services.
The political deadlock has also proved few in
Washington gave any serious thought about the devastating ripple effects
it would have on the lives of ordinary citizens.
National parks, monuments and recreation areas
in Utah were among the many victims of this shutdown. They were all
closed, locked and shuttered on Oct. 1. But the real impact of these
closures reach far beyond park boundaries.
Local economies, merchants and service
providers who rely heavily upon the tourism and recreation associated
with the parks immediately lost their lifeblood. Tourists and
vacationers from all over the world were turned away, along with their
desires to experience the beauty and grandeur of Utah’s scenic wonders.
State, county and local governments were suddenly faced with the
prospects of the loss of projected and necessary revenues.
Local citizens and officials were
understandably outraged and they searched for self-help remedies that
could be taken to force the re-opening of the parks and associated
federally operated facilities. Cooler heads prevailed. In contrast to
criticisms leveled against Utah’s public lands initiatives, state and
local officials responded with great responsibility. They proposed an
interim solution that addressed the needs of the tourist and recreation
industry, local economies, citizens of Utah and the parks’ lands.
Gov. Gary Herbert took the lead and proposed to
the Department of Interior that Utah could fund the re-opening and
operation of the parks on a temporary interim basis. To Interior
Secretary Sally Jewell’s credit, she embraced the governor’s proposal.
Together they directed their respective offices to immediately hammer
out the details. Within a period of hours, the agreement was
consummated and the re-opening of the parks was put into motion. The
parks will now be open for two of the busiest weekends of the year. We
are proud of the role the attorney general’s office played in this
process.
We firmly believe the events of the last couple
of weeks vividly demonstrate three important realities. First, in these
days of federal austerity, we assume substantial risk by relying too
heavily upon the federal government to fund and administer programs that
directly affect us in our businesses and daily lives. Because of the
extensive federal presence in the state, Utah is particularly vulnerable
to political and financial fluctuations in Washington.
Second, responsibility for and implementation
of government programs and operations, including those pertaining to the
public lands, should be vested in the hands of those who feel the
greatest impact and who have the greatest understanding of the situation
on the ground. Those in Washington simply do not understand, nor do
they appreciate, the effects their far-removed decisions have on rural
Utah.
Third, if allowed greater jurisdiction, powers
and governing responsibilities, state, county and local governments will
respond prudently, even-handedly and in the best interest of the
citizens of Utah and all Americans, including in the proper stewardship
of our treasured lands.
Utah’s track record of government management
and accountability is unmatched. The last few weeks show Utah can and
should have an enhanced role in its citizens’ affairs and in the uses of
its land. The long-term public health, safety and economic welfare of
Utahns depend on it.
Source
1 comment:
The federal government, that is, Mr. Obama DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF HIS AGENDA AND ACTIONS. HIS ACTIONS ARE INTENDED TO BE DISRUPTIVE AND TO WEAKEN OUR NATION. So please do not critisize our government as if they should know better and could do better. Indeed, they should; but "doing better" is not what Obama, his cabinet or his Czars have as their agenda
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