Study: Craters of the Moon has $6 million impact

A National Park Service report shows Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve contributed more than $6 million to local economies in 2011.

The report said the monument also supported 81 jobs.

Craters of the Moon hosted 198,545 visitors in 2011. Park Superintendent Dan Buckley said those visitors had a big impact on gateway communities, especially Carey to the west and Arco to the east.

The Park Service study showed the national park system contributed $24 million to local economies across Idaho and supported 379 jobs.

Nationally, visitors to all 398 units of the National Park System contributed more than $30 billion to local economies and supported 252,000 jobs.