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San Juan County pauses plan to reopen parks, monuments closed by shutdown

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MONTICELLO, Utah — San Juan County Commissioners have put plans on hold to reopen national parks and monuments closed by the government shutdown.

The commission passed a resolution Wednesday in an emergency meeting that would have removed the barricades leading to Natural Bridges National Monument; Hovenweep; the Needles District and Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park.

However, commissioner Bruce Adams told FOX 13 that they paused any action while they consult with lawyers and Governor Gary Herbert’s office.

The action was viewed by many as a political protest of the government shutdown. Adams said the plan to remove the barricades and provide portable toilets was meant to make the parks available to the public again.