Arizona State Parks Foundation Archives - Page 14 of 21

Arizona Volunteers Provide Critical Support to County and State Parks

May 1, 2017 by azheritage2

Source: Public Insight Network Bureau

During the Spring 2017 semester, an ASU student and representative from the Public Insight Network Bureau spent some time with the community of individuals involved in environmental protection and conservation. The student explored how these Arizonans are working to address the environmental issues that concern them, both through volunteer work and political activism within the state. At the PIN Bureau, they aim to increase public participation in journalism and believe that every person has insight or a newsworthy experience they can share. Part of their work includes engaging with a community, and reaching out to voices that can sometimes go somewhat unheard in the mainstream media. Click here to read the student’s final project.

Our View: Don’t Kill Arizona’s State Parks Board Now

March 9, 2017 by azheritage2

Source: Excerpt from Arizona Republic, March 8, 2017 Editorial

If you’ve pondered the depths of Kartchner Caverns, dipped a toe in Lake Havasu or stalked wildflowers at Catalina State Park, you know the value of Arizona’s Parks system. In this 60th anniversary year of our parks, there’s more to do than just celebrate the 31 natural, historical, cultural and geological sites that give people a chance to fall in love – or stay in love – with our fabulous state.

A bill in the Legislature, House Bill 2369, would eliminate the State Parks Board – which means eliminating the citizen oversight the board was designed to provide . . . The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate. Under the bill, the duties of the Parks Board, which include managing, developing and operating state parks, would go to the Parks director. Streamlining state government is a Republican priority. But the Parks Board serves another popular Republican goal: keeping power with the people and assuring oversight of government bureaucrats.

Assuring a public voice in Parks decisions

The board was the result of a compromise made at the time the State Parks system was created in 1957. The intent was to assure a public voice in decisions. Members are the State Land Commissioner and six people appointed by the governor. Under current law, the six citizen members are required to have a knowledge of outdoor activities, Arizona history and conservation. To assure that stakeholders get representation, the livestock, recreation and tourism industries each get at least one spot on the board. This board is configured to provide valuable oversight from people who have an interest in Arizona’s outdoors.

The questions about Black’s management style, coupled with the increasing popularity of the Parks, are reasons for the board to continue doing the job it was created to do six decades ago. The Legislature should not eliminate the State Parks Board. Arizonans have a deep love of their State Parks, and the Parks Board gives them the opportunity to be part of the decision-making process and to exercise needed oversight.

Arizona Forward: Open Letter to Their Members

February 25, 2023February 11, 2017 by azheritage2

Source: Email blast from Arizona Forward, February 8, 2017

The Arizona Legislature is considering a bill that includes a repeal the Arizona State Parks Board (HB2369), which we strongly oppose. As part of Arizona Forward’s historic advocacy of parks and open space, as well as our work in creating a primer on the economic benefits of Arizona’s natural assets, we have registered our opposition to this measure and encourage you to do the same!

The State Parks Board provides citizens’ oversight to State Parks and is composed of people with various backgrounds, including recreation, tourism, and livestock, as well as the general public. Its purpose is to “select, acquire, preserve, establish, and maintain areas of natural features, scenic beauty, historical and scientific interest, and zoos and botanical gardens for the education, pleasure, recreation, and health of the people….”

On February 2, 2017, the House Government Committee voted 5-3-0 to repeal the Arizona States Park Board. I testified against the measure and will keep you updated as it moves the legislative process. Elimination of this important board will result in less transparency, fewer opportunities for public engagement on a broad level, and one less entity to advocate for a parks system badly in need of more advocates.

Please take action by sending a message to your state representatives today! If you are not sure who your legislators are, go to Find My Legislator and click on the link where you enter your address. You can then select legislators to find their contact information. Be sure to leave a message with an assistant or on voicemail.

We must be good stewards of these amazing resources, and need your help to ensure that happens!

DIANE BROSSART
President & CEO
Arizona Forward

Since the publication of this letter, HB2369 is scheduled to be heard by the House Rules Committee on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 12:45 p.m. in HHR4. Here is a link to the agenda.

Editorial by William Thornton: We Need Details for State Park Cabin Plan

October 20, 2016 by azheritage2

Source: Special to the Arizona Daily Star, October 14, 2016

Things are looking up for Arizona State Parks. Visitation and gate receipts are up. Instead of proposing closures due to reduced funding, the State Parks Department is now soliciting proposals to build 100 new cabins in nine parks. Great news for parks and many thousands of visitors, right? Maybe so, but the devil’s in the details precious few of which have been made public.

According to reporting in the Arizona Daily Star and the Associated Press, the park system will pay a fraction of the upfront costs with most to be paid by the vendor. No percentage is given for the state’s “fraction,” but the estimated $963,300 will come from two funds, one from a tax on boat fuel, and the other source is not specified.

Reportedly the proposal for new cabins was approved by a “legislative oversight committee.” Historically state park operation has been overseen by an independent board that meets quarterly and provides opportunity for citizen input. A bill to abolish the State Parks Board did not pass this year, but will be reintroduced when the Legislature convenes in January.

The vendor and state parks will share rental revenue. No percentages or projected dollar amounts were provided, but the agreement raises a critically important question. If revenue is to be shared what about potential losses?

Average occupancy of the existing 28 cabins in Arizona State Parks is 52 percent. Senior financial analyst Micaela Larkin of the legislative budget staff told state legislators at a Sept. 21 hearing: “The question is whether that rate can be duplicated when there are many more cabins.” The bigger question is: Can the cabins turn a profit at 52 percent occupancy? Industry sources give the break even point for hotel/motel operations as approximately 60 percent. National occupancy for the week ended Sept. 24 was 72 percent. Build them and they will come; but will they come in large enough numbers to make it pay?

Will new cabins generate significant revenue for state parks? Will taxpayers fund potential losses? At this point we simply don’t know. Presumably the State Parks Department will have oversight responsibility for this public-private venture. Given the state of Arizona’s dismal failure to maintain effective oversight of private prisons that’s hardly reassuring.

The decision to add new cabins was made with no involvement by the State Parks Board or public input. Worse yet, if the parks board is eliminated, the public will have no voice in the management of our parks. That is simply not acceptable. The Legislature, governor and parks director don’t own the parks — we do.

Many new legislators will be elected in November and seated in January. If you believe, as I do, that voters and taxpayers should have a voice in how our parks are managed, speak up as soon as election results are known. A flurry of new bills including abolition of the State Parks Board will be introduced early in the upcoming legislative session.

Legislators, especially freshmen, will be bombarded with calls and e-mails from constituents. Your message is more likely to be heard if you speak up early. Also, please respectfully remind Gov. Doug Ducey that they are our parks and we want a voice in how they are managed.

William Thornton is a second-generation native Arizonan, conservationist and outdoor enthusiast. He serves on the boards of the Arizona Heritage Alliance and Friends of Ironwood Forest.