San Juan County leader plans to remove barricades, reopen Lake Powell


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SAN JUAN COUNTY — Several leaders of San Juan County said they're going to move the barricades implemented by the government shutdown and let people back onto Lake Powell.

Commissioner Phil Lyman posted information about his plan on his Facebook page Monday.

"The plan is to peacefully remove the barriers to places like Lake Powell, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands and Hovenweep and allow visitors to enjoy their places," Lyman wrote. "We are not going to sit idle while the Federal Government destroys the local economy! They are spending more money to keep people out than it would cost to let people in."

Lyman met with several other county commissioners to discuss and work out their plan.

"We're talking about natural bridges, national monument," Lyman said. "There's a barricade across the road, prevents people from driving around the loop. They can hike down to them. It seems silly for the federal government.

Utah hurt 14th worst
By Mary Richards

A new report says the effects of the government shutdown are hurting Utah 14th worst in the country.

Wallethub.com looked at federal employees, contracting dollars and veterans per capita, plus SBA loans, student loans and Social Security payments.

It said the most hurting states are Virginia, Alaska, Alabama, Washington DC and Maine. Those least hurt are Iowa, Indiana, New York, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"It doesn't sit well with me to say that's the federal government and there's nothing we can do about it. We're actually a government as well. For a county that has only 8 percent private land, we rely a lot on the public land for our economy.

"This is not anarchy. This is government doing what government does which is look after the health and welfare and safety of their citizens. And as a county commissioner, I made a promise to do that for my citizens."

Commissioner Lyman said they were hoping to have their plan set to open up roads by Tuesday, but it might be later in the week.

He said several other counties and the sheriff's of those counties are all in on the plan.

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