Public input invited on U.S. park plans

ST. GEORGE — Representatives of the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior will be in Salt Lake City and St. George today to gather public input on preparing the nation's parks for the future.

Public comments will be recorded at the sessions, which are being held nationwide. The Utah meetings are at the Hilton Salt Lake Center and the Dixie Center in St. George, and both sessions go from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The meetings stem from President Bush's announcement of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative on Aug. 25, 2006, the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service. In his 2008 budget, Bush proposed a $258 million increase over 2006 for national parks.

From the public-comment sessions, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service will identify projects and programs, set performance goals and report to the president. Comments on the National Park Centennial Initiative can also be made online until Monday at www.nps.gov/2016.