Sen. Flake Introduces Bill to Help Keep Public Lands Open During Federal Government Shutdowns

Press Release

United States Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), today introduced S. 1750, the Public Access to Public Lands Guarantee Act. The legislation would require the federal government to enter an agreement with any state or municipality willing to offer funding to keep public lands, such as national monuments, national recreation areas and national parks, open during a shutdown of the federal government. S. 1750 seeks to prevent the federal government from delaying -- or denying -- the negotiation of these agreements, as it did when Arizona offered local and state funds to keep the Grand Canyon National Park open during the recent shutdown.

"Closures of federal lands affect not just campers, recreational hunters and those who love the outdoors, but also those who protect communities from catastrophic wildfires, veterans trying to visit war memorials and the economic wellbeing of many towns that rely on tourism. If public or private funds are offered to help keep national parks and other public lands open in the event of a government shutdown, the federal government ought to accept them, and quickly," said Flake.

S. 1750 is cosponsored by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and supported by American Hotel & Lodging Association, Federal Forest Resource Coalition, Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, and Tusayan, Arizona, among many other hotel and lodging interests.

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