The state has until Wednesday evening to decide whether keeping the Grand Canyon open beyond Friday is worth it.
The park reopened Saturday, after Arizona covered a week’s operating costs. But the deal spells out that it takes two days to shut the park down. That means the state has to wire another $186,000 to the Parks Service by close of business Wednesday. And it has additional funds, after the town of Tusayan came up with $426,000 in town and private dollars.
Gubernatorial press aide Andrew Wilder says that does not mean Governor Jan Brewer intends to use the money for an extra two days operations.
“We'll have to assess that,” Wilder said. “Hopefully the federal government ends the shutdown. There's reasons to be optimistic today with statements coming out of Reid and McConnell. Who knows. But that's the ultimate solution. They need to end the shutdown.”
Wilder says the governor’s office is keeping tabs on the situation in Washington and will be ready with an answer by the Wednesday deadline.