WTA Responds to Washington State Parks Closures

Lights Out for Hikers?

Washington State Parks Releases List of Parks for “Mothballing”

State Parks has been asked to plan for budget cuts before, but never for a cut as big as this. The legislature, for that matter, has had to stretch its budget before, but never to cover a gap as big as this. The legislature needs to find an extra $8.5 billion this year, and they’re asking State Parks to contribute by cutting 23% of its budget--or $23 million.

The response from State Parks includes a long list of parks that are slated for “mothballing”—deep storage with the hopes that someday we might open them back up again. The list includes some of our favorite places: Beacon Rock, Wallace Falls, Larrabee and Federation Forest.

Washington Trails Association is deeply saddened by this prospect, both for the loss of park opportunities for the public and for the loss of the many fine agency staff we have had the privilege of working with. We hope that as the legislature and State Parks move towards a final decision in the next few weeks, they take into careful consideration one very important point: you can’t just lock the gate and walk away. An unmanaged park is a law enforcement problem waiting to happen. It’s an invitation to resource damage and undesirable behavior. And, it can be a very expensive problem to fix in the long term.

Washington Trails Association hopes the legislature will use this opportunity to take a serious look at alternative revenue sources for State Parks that might provide a more secure and sustainable funding base—and help get all of our parks reopened as soon as possible.

A Very, Very Deep Hole to Fill

With an unprecedented $8.5 billion gap in state revenues forecast for the 2009-11 biennium, Governor Gregoire has called upon all state agencies to radically trim their budgets. Washington State Parks was initially asked to budget for a $10 million cut, which equaled roughly 10% of their budget. With the most recent revenue forecast, State Parks have been tasked with finding nearly $23 million in savings, or about 23% of their budget.

The Agency has proposed cost savings at headquarters and in staffing units as well as proposing “mothballing” between 25 and 35 state parks across Washington. Mothballed parks would still be technically open to pedestrian traffic, but no parking, services or staff would be available on-site. The list of parks recommended for mothballing was released in February. Rather than recommend parks that cost little money to operate, staff opted to create a shorter list of parks that might realize greater cost savings.

A shortfall of $8.5 billion is a very large number, and in order for the state to balance its budget, each and every agency is going to face cuts. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which State Parks avoids this fate entirely. Simply put, it is very likely that some of our favorite parks will be mothballed starting on July 1—the beginning of Washington’s fiscal year.

Enforcement and Maintenance Concerns

WTA’s greatest concern with the proposed closures is the idea that one can simply close the gate and walk away from a park, expecting it to still be in tact and serviceable upon one’s return. This is an optimistic view, at best.

Far too often, parks and forests that are closed or neglected by an agency become free-fire zones. Directly next door to Wallace Falls, on lands owned by the Department of Natural Resources, unmanaged use has devolved into an essentially lawless zone rife with resource damage and intimidation of other users. WTA is concerned that closing gates and reassigning staff on the listed parks will result in similar kinds of abuse and misuse. Particularly in areas already hard-hit by drug activity and target shooting, state parks could easily degrade into a destination for the sort of illegal activities that have plagued places such as the Mountain Loop Highway and Middle Fork Snoqualmie.

At a minimum, the legislature should support Washington State Parks by providing a law enforcement presence at all mothballed state parks. And, the agency should enter into interlocal agreements with county and municipal law enforcement to supplement ongoing state patrols.

Furthermore, shutting down heat and water and curtailing building maintenance invites mold and moisture and other troubles that can lead to the condemnation of park facilities. Occasional inspections of structures in mothballed parks could ensure that these buildings are not rendered unusable over time. It is in the best interest of the legislature, the agency and the recreating public that these parks stay in a condition that lends itself to reopening when the economy eventually rights itself and state revenues return to stable footing.

Let’s Get Creative: New Revenue for Parks

Washington’s tax structure is largely dependent upon fees and sales tax. As a result, State Parks, like many agencies are vulnerable to economic downturns. While continuing support from the legislature is essential to maintaining the long-term health of our State Parks, we think this is also a good time to look at new ways of bringing money into parks.

• A Parking Fee: While politically unpopular when implemented several years ago, charging a fee for day use could generate significant funds to begin reopening some of the most heavily used parks. Formerly, parking fees netted about $8.5 million per year for State Parks. A well-run fee structure should not be an impediment to park visitors. While previous legislation authorizing fees resulted in a temporary lapse in visitors, after a short period people began to return to their parks. The same dynamic played out on National Forests after the implementation of the Recreation Fee Demonstration program. Any new fee regime at the state level must be nominal, and must include a statewide annual pass, as well as provisions that reward members of the public who volunteer for two days on state park lands with an annual pass.
  
• Penny for Parks: Senator Mary Margaret Haugen has proposed directing a portion of the state’s property tax to State Parks. According to SJR 8216, Washington citizens would be assessed an one cent for every $1,000 of assessed value.
  
• Excise Tax: A 0.5% excise tax on registrations for recreation vehicles in Washington, similar to programs in place for boats and snowmobiles, could generate roughly $40 million each biennium for State Parks and Department of Natural Resources lands.

A Commitment to Reopen Parks

Finally, both the legislature and the State Parks and Recreation Commission must enact specific benchmarks for park reopening. The legislature should stipulate that, when the state’s economy begins to recover again, mothballed parks be reopened based on several criteria, including level of use, geographic distribution of park opportunities and vulnerability to the ravages of minimally supervised closure. Each unit should complete a reopening plan that will speed the renewal of public access and services.

In the meantime, Washington Trails Association is committed to working with the legislature and State Parks to find the quickest and most sustainable means of supporting the long-term operation of these parks. We have work parties already on our schedule (and filled!) for places such as Beacon Rock and Wallace Falls. We will do our part to protect and maintain trails in these parks, and communities and other users around the state are lining up to pledge their help. We hope the state can find the means to match this support and keep our state parks open, welcoming and well maintained.