(Brian Maffly | The Salt Lake Tribune) Surrounded by Utahraptor fossils and models at the Utah Capitol on Friday, Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus, center, describes her town's enthusiasm for a proposed state park honoring the famous predatory dinosaur that stalked Grand County 135 million years ago. Niehaus is flanked by Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, right, and Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy. Eliason is seeking a $10 million appropriation to establish Utahraptor State Park on 6,500 acres surrounding the Dalton Wells Dinosaur Quarry just outside Arches National Park.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.