Grand County commission directs staff to explore independent study of Arches reservation system's economic effects

Moab — The Grand County Commission voted 4-3 on March 20 to explore hiring the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to expand analysis of the Arches National Park timed-entry reservation system and its potential local economic impacts.

Commissioners moved only to seek that outside review, not to fund it immediately. Commissioner Bill (mover) said the motion was intended to “explore the engagement of Kemsey Gardner Policy Institute to further expand on the Arches Reservation Systems impact on Grand County,” and stressed the action would only open discussions about a study.

The request followed public comment and a staff packet of economic material that proponents of the study said shows a sustained downturn in Grand County tax receipts and business revenue correlated with the reservation system. Christian Martinez, who placed the item on the agenda, told commissioners the county needs “an independent, up to date, high quality, reputable research firm to provide evidence based guidance.” In public comment, citizen Britney Melton urged the commission to “move that report that was in the packet forward onto the Kem C. Gardner Institute” and said local businesses and families were feeling financial strain.

Supporters of exploring the study emphasized the need for a credible, university-affiliated analysis. Commissioner Brian (speaking in favor) said the county was not committing money yet and that an independent review would let the commission and local businesses evaluate multiple data sources, including recent county-commissioned analyses and regional dashboards.

Opponents said the packet’s materials and some local analyses are not peer-reviewed and that the commission should not rush into another study without a clear scope or price. Commissioner Mary (opposed) said she believed the county should first seek clarification from the authors of studies already provided and that commissioning a new study now could “pour more fuel on the fire” facing federal land managers. Several commissioners pressed for a formal scope of work and cost estimate before approving expenditure of county funds.

Arches National Park staff member Lena Pace spoke during the meeting to answer operational questions. Pace said a change in the park’s method of converting counted vehicles to estimated people (in early 2024) produced an apparent drop in vehicle counts when, by the revised formula, park visitation actually rose about 2.5 percent. She described operational steps the park has already taken in response to access and congestion issues, including reserving about 40% of daily entry slots for the day-before availability window, signage and outreach to lodging front desks, and short-term traffic management where a roadside washout reduced lanes.

Commission debate covered technical points raised in multiple analyses. Supporters cited a county packet summary and outside analyses that they said show regional visitor spending declines larger than comparable parks; opponents said those comparisons sometimes include anomaly years (notably 2021) and that individual-authored studies in the packet lacked peer review. Commissioners on both sides said they want better, agreed-upon data before making management choices that could affect national-park operations, local businesses and visitor experience.

The motion that passed directs staff to explore engaging the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to expand analysis of the reservation system’s local economic impacts. The action does not obligate county funds; commissioners said any formal contract, scope and budget would be returned to the commission for approval.

The vote was 4 in favor, 3 opposed.