As you may have read about last month, Pennsylvania Senate's proposed budget, SB 850, would cut the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's budget so much that they might have to close about 35 state parks. With 117 state parks in PA, that's a huge chunk of Penn's Woods. It sounds like state legislators are listening to the public outcry, as the House Appropriations Committee rejected Senate Bill 850 earlier this week. That doesn't mean that state parks are "out of the woods" yet, however. Budget negotiations are ongoing, and with a projected 3.2 billion dollar deficit for 2009-2010, the money is going to have to come from somewhere.
How do you close a state park, you might ask? The short answer is, you can't. State parks are public property and the state will not be hanging out closed signs. Facilities such as bathrooms, campgrounds and cabins, swimming beaches, and staffed services, would cease operation, however.
Acting DCNR Secretary John Quigley brought up the other side of the economic crisis in a news release.
"Families that cannot afford to take a vacation because of the tough economic times could always count on enjoying a little rest and relaxation at a nearby state park or forest," Quigley said. "The Senate’s proposal would be absolutely devastating."
Those comments are off the mark, state Sen. Joe Scarnati, Jefferson County, said in his own news release.
"Citizens have, sadly, come to expect some exaggeration from state agencies seeking additional tax dollars. But the claims made by DCNR are over the line," Scarnati said. "Citizens understand that the struggling economy and declining revenues mean the state has to spend less or raise taxes. The budget passed by the Senate chooses to spend less."
Luckily, the state park closest to me, Raccoon Creek, is not slated for closure, but that doesn't mean that Pennsylvania can afford to just shut down 35 state parks. As DCNR says they do not plan to keep up with maintenance of facilities (built or natural) in the closed parks, facilities, trails, etc. will face serious neglect and will cost a bundle in order for the parks to reopen in the future. There are also thousands of jobs at stake for employees at the affected parks. Overall, the department estimates that closing the parks would turn away three million tourists and eliminate approximately $57 in revenue.
"Closing state parks is a no-win situation - both for the Pennsylvania families and sportsmen and women who would lose recreational opportunities, and for the local businesses around those closed parks that would lose customers," said Jeff Schmidt, Director of the Sierra Club, Pennsylvania Chapter.
The list of area state parks on the chopping block include Laurel Mountain and Linn Runn in Westmoreland County, Maurice K Goddard in Mercer, Yellow Creek in Indiana County, Oil Creek in Venango County, Clear Creek in Jefferson County and Ryerson Station in Greene County. The full list of fifty PA state parks that are candidates for closure under Senate Bill 850 can be viewed at Public Opinion.
If Pennsylvania's state parks are important to you, contact your State Senators and Representatives and share with them the importance of including continual funding in the FY09-10 state budget for these necessary programs. Share with them specific examples of how the state park facilities and programs have benefited individuals and communities in your region. To find your state legislators, visit www.legis.state.pa.us and see "Who’s My Legislator?" under the Senate and House tabs.
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