Governor’s Sustainable Parks Task Force

Over 200 Arizonans rally for parks and conservation at Environmental Day at the Capitol

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[Source: Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club 2-1-2010] — Today at the Arizona State Capitol, more than 25 groups and over 200 people rallied for Arizona State Parks.  Speakers at the rally included House Minority Whip, Representative Chad Campbell; State Parks Board Chair, Reese Woodling; Richard Dozer, Chairman, Governor’s Sustainable State Parks Task Force; Bill Meek, Chairman, Arizona State Parks Foundation; and Elizabeth Woodin, President, Arizona Heritage Alliance.  They all focused on the challenges to the parks, but importantly, on what everyone can do to help save the State Parks and the State Parks system.

Arizona State Parks’ system consists of 27 parks and three natural areas and includes places such as Homolovi Ruins, the Tubac Presidio, Lost Dutchman State Park, Kartchner Caverns, among many others.  Recently, the State Parks Board voted to close 13 of these parks due to the lack of operational funding.  Four additional parks had previously closed: Jerome State Historic Park, McFarland State Historic Park, Oracle State Park, and the San Rafael Natural Area.  By mid-year 2010, more than half of our State Park system will be closed and, without additional funding, nine more parks will likely close later this year.

The parks are closing because the Arizona Legislature has left them with almost no operational dollars.  Arizona State Parks has had no increase in operating funds since 2002, a limited capital budget since 2003, and unmet capital needs of $150 million.  The agency currently stands at a 40 percent personnel vacancy rate.  The latest cuts by the Legislature will mean the loss of 70 more positions.  At parks where law enforcement, public safety, and water safety must be provided, reductions in staff means those parks must close.  State Parks was prepared to limp along with a seasonal park system on $19 million of revenue composed mainly of the enhancement fund (park entrance fees), state lake improvement fund (gas and usage tax), and lottery revenues (Heritage Fund).  However, the Arizona Legislature diverted and swept away about half of that, leaving State Parks with almost no source of operating funds.

“These 30 exceptional places have been conserved over the past half century for the recreational, environmental, and cultural enjoyment of all Arizonans,” said Sandy Bahr with the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter.  “They represent our history and our future.  We must do better as stewards of these amazing resources.”

Arizona Legislature considers destruction of Arizona State Parks with HB2001

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[Source: Scott Stahl, www.examiner.com] — In a 5th Legislative Special Session on December 17, 2009, elected officials continue to play with the future of Arizona. They could easily be rewriting the history of the state.  They are a legislature that seems to be unable to make difficult decisions and still maintain the integrity of this great state.  Their position has been no temporary tax increase and cut spending.  Thus far, every special session has added new cuts, loss of personnel and services.

The most recent cuts in a proposed House Bill 2001 calls for a further reduction of 7.5% to all state agencies budgets and reallocation of funds.  The Secretary of State’s office has stated that it is now too late to consider a tax referendum because of time constraints.

Arizona State Parks would lose $3,151,100 in Fund reductions and transfers along with Fund sweeps of $6,088,700.  Apparently the studies done by Northern Arizona University, The Morrison Institute, and the Governor’s Task Force on State Parks Sustainability had no impact on the legislature.  The impact of this cut could reduce revenue to the state’s economy by over $266 million dollars.

When you think of the stories of our National Parks by Ken Burns, “One of America’s Greatest Ideas”, you have to wonder what America will say about Arizona’s destruction of their State Parks System. That is exactly what will happen if this current bill passes.  More people will lose their jobs and parks will have to close.  The loss of revenue will force the Parks System to dispose of property purchased and paid for by the people of Arizona, to benefit the people of Arizona, now and in the future.

State Parks system needs funds to prevent collapse

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[Source: Tammy Gray-Searles, AzJournal.com, 11-27-2009]  —  “It is our judgment that the state parks system is in imminent danger of complete collapse as a result of financial starvation during most of this decade,” wrote the members of the state task force on sustainable parks funding in their Oct. 30 report to the governor.  The task force was asked to find ways to keep Arizona state parks open.  In the report, the group recommended implementing a $14 to $15 fee to vehicle registrations that would be dedicated solely to state parks, ensuring enough funds for both, maintenance and operations, as well as infrastructure and capital improvements.

“…our chief recommendation is that the state should implement a Sustainable State Parks Fund, which would be financed by a $14 to $15 annual contribution to be collected from owners of non-commercial vehicles as a part of the vehicle registration process,” the recommendation notes.  “The proceeds would be dedicated to the operation, maintenance and capital needs of state parks.  In return, private vehicles bearing Arizona license plates would be admitted free to state parks.  The enactment should include a provision to allow individual license holders to opt out of paying the surcharge, so it would not burden those who are least able to afford higher expenses.”

According to the task force report, as well as a separate report prepared by the Morrison Institute, without a drastic change in funding, all of Arizona’s parks are in danger of being shut down.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

State parks need funding solution or they will die

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[Source: Arizona Republic Editorial, 11-18-2009] – Our state park system is withering and dying. That isn’t a hysterical overstatement. It’s a simple statement of fact. Gov. Jan Brewer’s Task Force on Sustainable State Parks examined this diverse collection of special places in Arizona, ranging from the splendors of Kartchner Caverns to the beaches of Lake Havasu. The conclusion: The system is “in imminent danger of complete collapse as a result of financial starvation during most of this decade.”

The state is not putting any money from the General Fund into Arizona State Parks. And it’s diverting other money that should go into the 30 parks, including revenue they generate. Capital needs have been shamefully neglected for years. Historic buildings, such as the Douglas Mansion in Jerome, are crumbling. Water systems are disintegrating. Docks are falling apart. There isn’t enough operating money. Some parks are shuttered, and others have reduced their hours. Arizona is in danger of becoming the only state in the union without a state parks system [to read the full editorial click here].