Utah Senate overwhelmingly approves resolution to rename Starvation State Park for Fred Hayes

The Utah Senate on the floor approved House Concurrent Resolution 21, asking that Starvation State Park be renamed to honor Fred Hayes, the recently deceased director of the state parks division.

Sen. Curt Ibsen, who introduced the resolution, recited Hayes’ career—beginning as a seasonal park ranger aide in 1982 and rising to division director in 2012—and credited him with expanding visitation and new recreational opportunities statewide. Colleagues gave personal tributes during the floor debate. Sen. Dayton said Hayes “truly was a blessing to the state parks” and several senators described his efforts to keep parks open and to expand access during difficult periods, including the federal shutdown.

Supporters argued Hayes combined conservation goals with financial stewardship. In floor remarks senators noted Hayes’ initiatives to boost off‑season visitation and develop underused sites into revenue-generating locations. The resolution text posted on the floor memorializes Hayes’ public service and requests that a copy be sent to the Department of Natural Resources, the Bureau of Reclamation and the state’s congressional delegation, and to Hayes’ family.

Sen. Ripson moved to pass the resolution under suspension of rules; the motion carried on a roll-call vote. The resolution will be transmitted to the House and forwarded to the governor for concurrence in keeping with joint‑resolution practice.

The action is ceremonial and does not itself change park signage or administration: those implementation steps would follow executive‑branch processes if the governor concurs.