SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert has reached a breakthrough with federal officials to open Utah's five national parks.

Herbert's spokeswoman, Ally Isom, says Utah would have to use its own money to call back park workers — and that it costs up to $50,000 a day to operate just one of them, Zion National Park.

It's not clear if the federal government would reimburse Utah later. Isom says many details need to be worked out, and that the Utah Legislature would have to appropriate the money.

The Obama administration said earlier Thursday that it will allow states to use their own money to reopen some national parks that have been closed because of the government shutdown.

Governors in at least four states — including Arizona, Colorado and South Dakota — have asked for the authority.

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Look for more information on this development from Deseret News reporter Dennis Romboy later today.

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