Conservationists bring public lands podcast tour to Utah
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Sunset Arch at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
A coalition of environmental organizations is calling attention to what it describes as attacks on public lands, with a tour through the West that arrives in Utah this week.
Why it matters: From wildfires to proposed land sales, Utah's wild places have faced new threats this year amid cuts by the Trump administration and a Republican-led Congress.
Driving the news: The Center for Western Priorities is taping a podcast live at Fisher Brewing Company, from 6-9pm Thursday, to discuss the fallout from staff and funding cuts to land management agencies.
The big picture: Public lands advocates are celebrating the rejection of Sen. Mike Lee's (R-Utah) controversial proposal to sell off up to 3.3 million acres of public land in Western states.
- Yes, but: They're urging allies to stay vigilant as cuts to federal agencies play out.
Catch up quick: The National Park Service has lost nearly a quarter of its permanent employees since January, according to a July analysis by the National Parks Conservation Association.
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area lost conservation specialists and Arches National Park suspended access to one of its most popular hikes in the aftermath of staffing turmoil this spring.
- At Zion, the Washington Post reported some bathrooms have been replaced with portable toilets and a ranger said some repairs and improvements were being delayed.
Zoom out: In Yosemite, scientists were reassigned to bathroom detail and campgrounds were closed in Colorado's Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have proposed defunding the management of about half of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The NPS did not immediately respond to Axios' query Tuesday afternoon.
Follow the money: Small businesses in Utah's outdoor industry areas also are strained by President Trump's tariffs and guides are wary of upgrading gear amid projected international tourism losses, Utah Business reported last week.
The latest: Trump called for higher entry fees for international visitors at national parks last month in an executive order, which would be codified in a Senate proposal.
- Some Democrats have been on guard, saying the price hikes could further deter foreign tourism in gateway towns that depend on it, the nonprofit news outlet NOTUS reported.
Axios' John Frank contributed to this story.