Heritage Fund

Arizona State Parks unfreezes grants; funding allows 53 projects to resume

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[Source: Arizona Republic, Amy B. Wang, 10-04-2009] — The budget-beleaguered Arizona State Parks office recently released more than $6.1 million in Heritage Fund grants to benefit historic-preservation projects, trail maintenance, and local and regional parks.  In total, 53 projects around Arizona can move forward with the release of grant money that had been frozen for more than six months, the result of state budget woes that had trickled down to the parks department.  “We are extremely happy to release funding for these very worthy trails, historic preservation and park projects,” said Renée Bahl, executive director of the parks, in a statement.  Twenty-two other projects that had been due to receive Heritage Fund grants were canceled.

The Heritage Fund, created by voters in 1990, is funded by Arizona Lottery sales.  Up to $10 million in proceeds are designated annually for the conservation of the state’s wildlife and natural areas.  The State Parks Board appropriates the money to projects each year.  In February, the department’s grim financial situation forced the board to freeze all grant money.  “It was frozen because we didn’t know that we’d have enough money to operate the agency,” said parks spokeswoman Ellen Bilbrey, citing layoffs that could have affected the staff that worked with distributing the funds. [Note: To read the full story, click here.]

Arizona State Parks restores funding to Heritage Fund grant projects

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[Source: Sedona.biz, 9-30-2009] — On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) gave a favorable review to the Agency’s request to backfill cuts made to its operating budget.  With the Committee’s favorable review, the Parks Board unsuspended Heritage Fund grants that had been frozen in February 2009.  “We are extremely happy to release funding for these very worthy trails, historic preservation, and park projects,” said Renée Bahl, Executive Director.

In order deal with a 26% reduction in the in the department’s ongoing operating budget compared to July 2008, Arizona State Parks will be reducing parks operations and hours. [Note: To read the full story, click here.]

Arizona state parks take big hit: Grant funding for outdoor capital-improvement projects at issue

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[Source: Independent Newspapers, Terrance Thornton 9-28-2009] — The Arizona State Parks Department found its expected $8.6 million general fund allocation this fiscal year on the cutting room floor due to a $4 billion deficit to the state budget.  In the face of such severe cuts, we just cannot continue to operate as we did before and as the public has become accustomed,” said Arizona State Parks Assistant Director Jay Ziemann in a written response to e-mailed questions.  “In 2010, five parks will be closed to the public — Jerome, Tonto Natural Bridge, McFarland, Oracle and San Rafael — and another 17 will have reduced or seasonal hours of operation.”

In addition to budget reductions, the state parks department is facing suspended grant programs, Mr. Ziemann explained.  Grant programs from the Heritage Fund and the State Lake Improvement Fund, which communities across the state have come to rely on, have been cancelled,” he said.  In Apache Junction, the Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N. Apache Trail, will at this point only have its campgrounds operated to meet seasonal demands, Mr. Ziemann said. [Note: To read the full story, click here.]

Viewpoint: Long-term fix needed for Arizona State Parks

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[Source: Editorial Board, Arizona Republic, 9-22-2009] — Funding will flow to pay state park rangers and stalled projects will start again — if a state budget committee gives the go-ahead today.  Arizona State Parks plans to backfill some of its crippling budget cuts this year by tapping cash in the Heritage Fund: $6.5 million for staffing and $6.1 million to restore grants that were suspended.  This is a short-term fix, a rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul strategy.  It’s not a solution but a sign of the dire plight of our parks. Still, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee should endorse the proposal.

Recreational and preservation projects around Arizona screeched to a halt in February when the State Parks Board suspended funding on Heritage Fund grants in a desperate bid to keep parks open.  Soccer fields under construction, half-finished repairs to historic buildings, trails that were under way, partly built parks — some of the projects were 90 percent complete when the funding abruptly stopped.  Those that had raised matching funds were in danger of losing their money.

These are projects that went through tough competition and must meet rigorous reporting requirements.  From the Great Arizona Puppet Theater to petroglyph sites, they are part of Arizona’s character.  A wall-stabilization job was under way at the historic Sullivan Hotel in Jerome, a former house of ill repute that is now shops.  With the 1903 structure on the verge of collapse, owners Mary Wills and Sally Dryer borrowed money to get the work done.  If the JLBC approves, they’ll finally be able to pay off the debt and the contractors who were willing to wait.

Relieving part of this year’s crisis with the Heritage Fund means that money won’t be available next year.  And some already approved projects — restoring the iconic San Xavier del Bac Mission is a particularly appalling case — are not eligible for the backfill because they were not under way or had not yet submitted bills.  Meanwhile, the state park system is starving for dollars.

The Legislature cut off all general-fund support for State Parks.  It then raided funds earmarked for operating expenses.  The parks’ operating budget has fallen from $26 million to $19 million.  Arizona State Parks is seeking public comments on a wide range of proposed fee hikes (go to azstateparks.com).

Gov. Jan Brewer appointed a task force to recommend ways to provide a sustainable stream of funding for the parks.  That’s not just operations: Maintenance is at the crisis point.  The report, due in October, should have a creative, practical, doable strategy.  Our cultural and recreational treasures are at risk.  In this tourist-oriented state, it would be truly foolish to lose them.