Environmentalists seek to give Grand Canyon National Park a larger protective buffer; however, this proposal would be a threat to jobs, prevent mining, timber management, public access and state control over hunting. National park boundaries become political lines on maps. Dan McCool, a professor of political science, who also directs the environmental and sustainable studies program, can provide context on the positives and negatives of creating such a buffer around the Grand Canyon as well as Utah National Parks, and the effects it will have on the economy and tourism.

Dan McCool, 801-585-6455, dan.mccool@poli-sci.utah.edu