Time to Adopt a State Park?

These are tough times for state parks across the nation. States grappling with record deficits are cutting from their appropriations funding to their parks and forests. Not, that they ever funded them adequately even during good times. Now a state senator in New Hampshire is proposing legislation to adopt a state park to keep them afloat. Read and listen here from NH public Radio.

Adopt-a-Park: A Plan for New Hampshire State Parks
NHPR, by Rick Ganley

New Hampshire has 71 state parks. It's the nation's only self-funded park system, and it's operating at a loss. That leaves many smaller, lesser-known parks with little care and oversight. State Representative Jeffrey St Cyr, a Republican from Alton, thinks he has a solution. He's proposing legislation to form an adopt-a-park program.

Is this a good idea? Any other good ideas out there to keep our parks afloat during the Great Recession? As more people lose their jobs and scale back their budgets, our public lands are more important than ever!

Et Tu New Hampshire?

Well, add New Hampshire to the cash strapped states considering the idiotic idea of liquidating their state parks. Bad enough my adopted state of Washington doesn't fully value their parks-now my home state wants to throw some parks under the budget bus too! Democrats control the governorship and both houses in New Hampshire. When the Republicans controlled the state throughout most of the 20th century they added parks. Granted the parks were never fully funded-but during the recession of 1979-81 the state never even considered getting rid of some of its crown jewels. I can't believe the list of parks on the hit list- Cardigan, Kingston, Silver Lake, and Pisgah-those are some of my favorite places and a couple of them are excellent hiking destinations as well! Governor Lynch-I actually respect you-I hope you stop this madness from occurring. I would hate to think that your sate park legacy may replicate governors Locke and Gregoire of Washington. First the old man crumbles-an act of God-now the state park system is crumbling-an act of indifferent legislators who value our natural, cultural, and recreational heritage very little.

Falling for the Palouse!

I just had to stop by Palouse Falls on my way to the Juniper Dunes Wilderness two weeks ago. I have stopped to admire these falls several times in the past while in the area. They are in my opinion the prettiest major waterfalls in the state. You can have Snoqualmie Falls. There is no hoity-toity resort teetering on Palouse's edge nor or there scores of latte-sipping label-flashing oh-that's-pretty-lets-go-shopping-now types cluttering the viewscape (Okay-just a few!). Seriously- Palouse Falls are absolutely gorgeous. What makes them so? Well their height is certainly a factor-but so is the stark desert-steppe surroundings and the grand canyon that the river rushes through afterwards. And no development-just a wild rugged section of the arid and geologically fascinating southeast corner of the state. The falls are protected within a state park (that I'm surprised former governor and now Obama administration lackey Gary Locke didn't close when he liquidated about seven parks in Eastern Washington in 2002). Make sure you support this park and our other priceless gems by making the $5.00 park donation on your vehicle registration renewal. Five bucks is the price of one of those lattes over at Snoqualmie Falls. Five bucks for our parks is a bargain and it won't leave you jittery or add a pound to your waistline.

The Best Rail Trail in the West!

If you have never heard of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes-boy are you in for a treat. It's a 72 mile paved rail trail that runs across the Idaho Panhandle from Plummer on the Palouse to Mullan on the Montana Border. I have sampled sections of it over the years and probably one of the nicest sections is the one in Heyburn State Park. Here you can traverse Coeur d'Alene Lake on a 2/3 mile trestle-then follow along the lakeshore for miles! I sneaked a 10 mile run on that section of trail on my way to Lewiston last week. There is great camping in Heyburn State Park ans some nice hiking trails too. Matter of fact my Best Hikes with Dogs Inland Northwest spotlights Heyburn as well as the nearby Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park. And if you have never driven US 95 between CDL and Lewiston-you are in for a real treat-it is one of the prettiest sections of road in the entire Northwest. Have fun exploring-don't forget to pack your bike.

Island Rescue!

Two undeveloped islands to be added to Deception Pass State Park.

Talk about miraculous! There's money available in this horrible recession to purchase two undeveloped Puget Sound Islands-and there are actually two undeveloped islands left in Puget Sound! Read this article in the Skagit Valley Herald and plan on visiting this unique area sometime soon. And while I welcome these islands to Deception Pas State Park I do hope that the area is managed with its rare plants in mind so that the area does not become degraded at the expense of recreation. A good balance can be achieved but state park land managers will definitely need a hand from the public. Think about getting involved.

(photo- Deception Pass State Park's Pass and Strawberry Islands)

Howe's the View!
From atop of British Columbia's Stawamus Chief-Howe is the view! Howe Sound that is, the southernmost fjord in North America. And to the north the view includes the city of Squamish, the Squamish River Delta and the massive glacial covered volcano, Mount Garibaldi. Named for the great Italian Patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi (from whom Giuseppe Gattino is named after), the mountain's presence is indeed liberating!

I was up in BC for a couple of days talking to retailers about carrying Green Trails' great new Whistler map. Good news- I got to go to Whistler! Bad news I couldn't afford to go skiing while I was there (hey I'm a writer!). Good news-it was a beautiful spring day yesterday. Bad news- I had to go to Vancouver to talk to retailers. Good news- I got to sneak out early for a hike up the Stawamus Chief. Bad news-the hike is brutal- its all on granite (just like hiking in the White Mountains) steep (2,000 feet of elevation gain in 2 miles) and my patellar tendinitis was painful! Good news- The view! Unbelievable- a cure to all of my mine and the world's problems.

If you haven't hiked this landmark-the second largest granite monolith in the world you owe it to yourself the next time you are heading north to Whistler. The hike is tough, so plan accordingly. And be prepared to socialize. The Chief welcomes over 50,000 hikers in the summer alone. People come from all over to hike it. I met people from Louisiana, Montreal and Lyon, France on the rock yesterday (a little of a French Connection!). The whole area is protected within a provincial park and it'll cost you $3 Canadian to park to hike it. What a deal! And guess what- even with a recession in British Columbia, they're not talking about closing their parks. Washington state-listen!

A Lame response

from a Lame Governor

I'd like to share with you the uninspiring lame-o form letter response that Nine-billion-in-the-hole-Governor Gregoire sent me as her response to my concern about closing state parks.

Here it is:

Dear Craig:

Thank you for contacting Governor Gregoire about the budget. She appreciates every letter, message, and call she has received.

The Governor understands that many Washingtonians are concerned about the economy, struggling to make ends meet around their personal finances and fearful about state funding cuts. Like the rest of the country and the world, we are in the midst of an economic slowdown.

Governor Gregoire proposed and submitted her budget to the Legislature using the Priorities of Government (POG) approach that looks at the effectiveness of state programs to prioritize spending, focusing on services that matter most. POG is a sound method to determine the state's funding priorities, a process that designates items as "buy now" or "buy later" using funds the state has to work with. While she used POG to help inform her budget decisions, she also took into account the priorities citizens have for state government services and other important considerations.

The Governor did not like the budget she proposed, which included many difficult funding cuts. Her budget provides a solid foundation and starting point. However, since submitting it to the Legislature in December, as required by law, the deficit has continued to increase. We now face the loss of more than $721 million for the period ending June 30, 2009, and a nearly $9 billion shortfall for the 2009-11 Biennium, the largest budget shortfall in our state's history.

Governor Gregoire is optimistic about President Obama's efforts to provide the states with economic relief through the now-signed stimulus package that will address some of our revenue shortfall. However, the package is not a cure-all for either the recession or our state's budget deficit. Efforts to identify solutions to the recession and resulting state budget shortfalls are ongoing. State government will have to sacrifice and make hard choices just like Washington families. The final budget will include cuts, which are unavoidable. But families know, and we know, that tough people always outlast tough times and together we will emerge stronger from the challenges we face.

Again, thanks for contacting Governor Gregoire. She will be keeping your concerns in mind.

Sincerely,

Bill Wegeleben
Director of Government Operations
Christine O. Gregoire
Governor

Of course there is nothing here about addressing the point of my letter-state park closures and how reckless past spending lead us there. At least Representative Jeannie Darneille, chairperson of the state parks committee had the decency to respond back to me with a sincere response-and timely too. Thank you, Rep Darneille.

The governor in her finest fashion punts! She never takes responsibility that she got us here in the first place. And I love how she refers to President Obama's stimulus plan as a way to help get her off the hook. Yep-rob Peter to pay Paul. Or more like have Peter print up a few billion more dollars to grease the hands of Paul who spends money like a drunken sailor who just won the lottery. Yep, Governor, you give me much faith -thanks for getting us in this mess. I can only imagine what your next move (or more than likely inaction) is going to be. And thanks "for keeping my concerns in mind!"

Worth $10.95

The Skagit Flats is one of the best places in Western Washington for birdwatching. Right now thousands of snow geese, trumpeter swans, tundra swans and a myriad of other avian critters are out and about on the farms, delta, and islands in the Skagit Valley. One of my favorite places for viewing them-and a great place to take an easy hike too is at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Skagit Bay Estuary Unit. Managed primarily as habitat for game birds and providing hunters with public land to exercise their pursuit-these lands are supported through hunting and fishing license sales. For non-hunters a vehicle permit pass can be purchased allowing unlimited access to this property and scores of other ones across the state. The cost? $10.95 for the year. Well worth it for purchasing and protecting public land. And I'd gladly pay $10.95 or more to support my state parks. If tax revenues can't support these gems, then user fees must take their place. Make the fee fair and equitable and get that money to our ailing park system ASAP!

Gregoire's State Park Legacy:

Close 'em and get rid of 'em!

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt increased our public lands and helped stimulate their infrastructure. Washington State governor, Clarence Martin, a fiscal conservative Democrat helped withdraw land for the public in the form of state parks, forests, fish and wildlife lands, and public works projects.

In the Great Recession of 2008-09-10? Governor Christine Gregoire- a reckless spending liberal Democrat has helped land our state in an $8.5 billion deficit. Sorry, Christine you can't blame this one on George W Bush. You own this fiscal disaster! And now your fiscal irresponsibility is going to lead to liquidating some of our state parks in an attempt to save a measly $23 million dollars. Outrageous!

In these hard economic times we need more parks-not less. Places where all Washingtonians can recreate-places where they can afford to camp, hike, fish, sight-see, picnic, relax, forget about the current state of affairs. But, no Ms Gregoire-your actions are leading to a liquidation of 11 of our parks and the mothballing of 33 more. Your park's commission wants to take out of commission 44 of our public places-44 examples of our natural, cultural, and historic heritage. That's some legacy you are going to leave us Governor. Some legacy indeed!

(photo-In Gregoire's Washington, state parks will be decommissioned instead of expanded like they were under the CCC, represented here in a Colville National Forest memorial)

Florida Saves their State Parks

Republican governor and concerned citizens put their money where their parks are!

Can't help but note the bitter irony here. Down in the south where people "cling to their religion and guns" they evidently didn't cling to their wallets when it came time to save their state parks. Floridians overwhelmingly backed a plan by their legislature to raise day use fees (some up to $8 to park) to keep their parks operating and open. And governor Crist, a Republican has allocated more money to the parks system to keep them open. Nice job Florida and Governor Crist, and nice to see that you cherish your outdoor and historic heritage.

Here in "progressive" (actually quite regressive) "green" (only if it concerns transportation in which everyone must take the bus except overweight mayors who talk a lot about other people taking the bus) Washington state we close parks. Our democratic governor and democratic-controlled legislature are going to allow the state parks commission to close and liquidate parks. And many of our over-caffeinated well-to-do SUV driving citizens balk at the notion of having to pay a day use fee to keep their parks open. Go figure! You get what you pay for folks. In Florida you get a beautiful park system that will continue to provide recreation and refuge for its citizens in this terrible economic time. In Washington, you get squat.

Oh yeah, and Florida doesn't have a state income tax either-yet they have figured out how to pay for their park system. I have said it before-and I'll say it ad nauseum -My fellow Washingtonians-if you care about your state parks and heritage hold your legislator's and governor's feet to the fire! NO STATE PARK CLOSURES! I for one am willing to open my wallet a little to help keep them open. I hope you are too-and I hope that my indifferent state reps and governor will give us this option instead of liquidating our heritage! ENOUGH!

(photo-St Joseph Spit State Park-one of my favorite state parks in the nation. Seven miles of undeveloped Gulf-of Mexico paradise-and worth paying a little extra for)

It's time we Mothball Gregoire!

I can't tell you how angry I am getting over how our state and incompetent governor are treating our state park system. It's not enough that Gregoire asked the State Parks Department to prepare for a $10 million reduction in their budget for the next two years and get rid of 13 state parks in the process. Now our bought by the tribes and WEA governor is asking the parks to prepare for a $23 million dollar deduction and think about getting rid of even more parks! This is insane! These are tough times for sure, but we don't need to do something so drastic and so short sighted in the short term and pay for it dearly in the long term.

I see several choices Christine that are far better than your commission's idiotic plan to liquidate our cultural and natural heritage because of your reckless spending-

1. Bring back a day use fee- make it temporary until we get out of this economic mess.

2. Consider privatization of certain concessions (like camping for instance) at some of our parks to reduce government expenditures and to bring in revenue.

3. Consider a lottery to help pay for parks- Your Tribal buddies owe you one.

4. Sell bonds like New Jersey is doing to keep their parks open

5. Temporarily moth ball some parks until they can fully be operated again when the economy turns around.

BUT DO NOT- ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LIQUIDATE OUR PARKS!
I find it absurd that we are getting ready to celebrate our park's centennial in 4 years and this is how we'll show it by closing and liquidating our parks!
And I find it absolutely absurd that we are going to spend money (my money) on sending illegal immigrants to college and paying their health care, silly cap and trade initiatives and other dubious forms of my hard-earned tax dollars and not fund MY and every other 6,500,000 Washingtonian's state parks.

Its time that we mothball you Governor Gregoire before you get us into even more of a mess--and take Lisa Brown with you! I am absolutely fed up with your (and the legislatures of the past 20 plus years) lack of commitment to our state parks. What would Evans do? Maybe you need to consult him right now-and perhaps call on Governor Corzine of New Jersey and Governor Fitzpatrick of Illinois and see how they are saving (thanks to public outcry) their parks.

And to my fellow hard working citizens-call and write your governor and demand that our parks not be casualties due to their reckless spending and lack of caring for our natural and cultural heritage.

(Photo- Lake Sylvia, one of the nicest state parks in the system is on Gregoire's chopping block. Hey Christine, do you think that maybe you can actually head over to Montesano and take a walk here and explain to the hard-pressed residents of Grays Harbor County why this park should go?)

New Jersey Considers

a Bond to Save its Parks

Washington isn't the only state with its state parks and forests on the chopping block. California. Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, and New Jersey (and I'm sure there are a few other states too) are all considering closing and sunsetting some of their state parks. Citizens in Illinois rebelled by holding their legislators' feet to the fire (a state not exactly known for harboring honest politicians-Sorry Abe- but look at what is currently coming out of the Land of Lincoln) demanding that they not close their parks.

And in New Jersey, a state with the highest population density but also one with the strongest support for open space among its populace, Garden Staters are also demanding that their parks and forests not be closed. Hey-you gotta problem wit dat?

Witness- according to the Trust for Public Land

Last November, New Jersey voters approved funds for open space, despite the poor economy. On November 4, 2008 voters nationwide approved $7.3 billion in new public money to protect land for parks and open space-the highest amount ever according to The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national land conservation organization. The increase can be attributed in large part to the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment accounting for $5.5 billion. Overall, 62 out of 87 measures (or 71 percent) were passed by voters. In New Jersey, voters approved 14 of 22 county and municipal measures generating $191 million in conservation funding. New Jersey had more open space ballot measures than any other state.

And now this year, Governor Corzine has called on the New Jersey Legislature to place an Open Space Bond Referendum on the 2009 November Ballot to thwart closing of parks and forests as well as acquiring additional lands.

According to New Jersey's Keep it Green Campaign:

Although Governor Corzine prefers a “long-term funding solution” for open space preservation, which he recognized as “an area of vital importance and concern” to New Jerseyans, he urged the Legislature to place an interim bonding question on the November 2009 ballot in his State of the State address.

These are certainly trying times for our state government agencies. And while many have been bloated and corrupted and abused, parks departments have not-in fact many of them were underfunded even during the boom times. In Washington, with its 8 billion dollar deficit (Thanks Christine- you told us before the election that we had no deficit-and enough naive voters believed you-thanks for spending our state into financial despair) our reckless-with-our-wallets governor wants to close parks to make up for her spending indiscretions of the past. How about getting creative or at least offer some alternatives to funding than letting the parks go. Ask the voters what they want to do with their parks (and maybe how to fund some of the other agencies as well). And voters if you cherish your parks-you better be willing to start putting your money where your hearts and boots are!

(photo-The Appalachian Trail traverses this New Jersey Natural gem, Worthington State Forest)

In Defense of our State Parks

While the Recession of 2008-09 will claim many casualties, Washington State Parks shouldn't be among them. With over six million visitations each year by folks of all walks of life, our state parks provide close to home and affordable (free to enter-nominal fees to camp or launch a boat) recreation.And I can only imagine as many Washingtonians shun trips to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone this year due to financial hardship, that our state park's will be visited even more.

Then why the hell is our governor instructing the state parks commission to liquidate 13 state parks? Why should the people of this state who rely on these recreational gems pay the price for her reckless spending during the past 4 years-and the financial indifference given to the parks from her predecessor Governor Gary grid-Locke?

Now, I can understand the mandate for some of the parks to be moved to other government agencies because they would be better served as such. But there are three problems with that notion. County and city governments don't have the money to manage these parks either. County and city parks departments often don't manage their parks at the same high level of resource protection that state parks does-and finally-while some of the parks that are slated to go don't represent any statewide or regional significance-surely a handful do.

According to the State Parks Commission dictate for ridding itself of 13 parks is (Bold emphases by me):

How the parks were chosen: The 13 parks that could be transferred to other owners are in a category of parks deemed by the Commission as “potentially consistent” with the Centennial 2013 Vision. The Commission’s vision, adopted in 2003, identifies a system of parks of uncommon quality,” parks of statewide or greater regional significance.

So, lets look at Osoyoos State Park-one of the parks slated for liquidation. One of only two parks in the state in the Okanogan Valley (the other, Fort Okanogan also on the hit list), a desert-steppe community rife in history (fur trade, the historic Caribou route) and the only piece of public property on the American side of Osoyoos Lake, a huge natural body of water shared by Washington and British Columbia. The warmest lake in BC and one of the warmest in WA and the one of the largest in north central Washington, this lake's shores are rapidly being developed. So instead of protecting even more Osoyoos lakeshore, the governor and the commission find it prudent to get rid of this park?

There's a simple solution for keeping Lake Osoyoos State Park. Its called a day use fee. With over 6 million visitors to the state parks last year and the State Parks Department having to incur a 10 million dollar cut-a day use fee of just 2 or 3 dollars (25 dollar annual) which is very fair and very nominal, can keep these parks from being closed. Add a concession to the day-use area for selling food and sundries and take 10-20% of the profits and more money comes in. It is ridiculous that we won't consider a day use fee (like the majority of state parks departments around the country) and instead rid ourselves of irreplaceable pieces of our natural, cultural, and recreational heritage. Our parks are worth $3 to visit. And our parks are worth saving. Demand that your governor not liquidate OUR lands.

It's ironic that here in the worst economic times since the Great Depression we are thinking of getting rid of public lands. In the Great Depression we increased our inventory of parks. And it is ironic too that Osoyoos, whose full name is Osoyoos Lake State Veteran's Memorial Park because some of the land was given to the state by the American Legion, and now houses a plaque donated by veterans as a memorial to all veterans who served our country-is about to be a Gregoire casualty. What a way to honor our veterans and the rest of our citizens.

(photo- Osoyoos Lake in British Columbia, where they are not closing their provincial parks on this unique body of water)

State Park Closures You Can Believe In!

Well, here we go again. Back in 2002 Washington State under Democrat Governor Gary Locke and a democrat controlled legislature saw that it was economically prudent to close (translated-get rid of) a handful of our state park gems. Well now in 2009, its Deja-Vu all over again except worst. Ms Gregoire, a prototype of Mr. Locke has upped the ante and wants to liquidate from our state held heritage 13 of our parks! Yes, that's right, Ms Gregoire wants to help rectify the reckless spending of her first four years by getting rid of some of our parks. (Sorry Christine- you can't blame this on Bush- you and your free-spending dems spent state money like there was no tomorrow-and guess what? Tomorrow has come!)

Now, I must admit I have never been a fan of Gregoire-but to much of my surprise she is making some necessary cuts in the budget- particularly in bloated areas like social services. But still she got us into this mess by increasing the budget by 30%. Evidently John McCain wasn't the only one who thought that our economy was just fine. The handwriting was on the wall; that a recession was approaching but Gregoire continued to spend with reckless abandonment! But our state parks don't deserve to be punished for her irresponsible fiscal practices. Our state parks department was never a bloated agency. It has continuously been underfunded by both democrats and republicans.


Surely Christine, do you really believe that by getting rid of 13 state parks and shaving a meager 5.2 million dollars from the budget that this is worth it? That saving 5.2 million is worth more than the value that these parks bring to local residents and the tourist dollars that they help generate- surely much more than $5.2 million. Out of your 13 parks, 4 of them are on the economically depressed Olympic Peninsula. The poor souls of this region are losing their jobs and now their parks! They need decent places to recreate! All of us in Washington state (You too Ms. Gregoire) need decent places to recreate. Our state has grown by 1.5 million people in the last 20 years. We need more parks not less!


How can you justify shaving 5.2 million from the budget when you are going to spend millions and millions more on some silly climate bills? Save our land first! Don't waste our tax dollars on questionable climate controls bills! Paving over parkland I assure you is not good for our climate!


And former-Governor Dan Evans, a true champion of the environment, where is your outrage? You a are going to help let these parks fall by the wayside while you lobby for $150 million for a football stadium!?! Are you nuts? Five million will keep our parks open and you want to spend 150 million for a football stadium! I see where your priorities lie. Pretty sad.


In Illinois they planned on doing the same thing-closing parks because of reckless state spending. The Illinois people revolted. The state found some money. So where is the outrage here? Washingtonians need to let the governor and our legislators know that we care about our parks. We can't be as lucky as Illinois and get rid of our governor- but we can be as lucky as Illinois and keep our parks!


And in case you think I am just being critical of the governor without giving a solution. I gladly welcome back a day-use fee to keep my parks open. My parks are worth $2, 3, 5 dollars a visit. They are worth much more than 5.2 million and they are worth far much more than being a quick kill in the budget. Let's get a day use fee back on them and perhaps open a few to concessionaires (food service for example at certain parks) where we can collect some extra revenue. We can't have it both ways-services with no taxes. I for one support equitable user fees. Okay, I put my 2 cents in, time for you to put yours in- and preferably in Olympia.


For the Illinois story and to the WA parks at risk of losing click Here


(photo- lovely Lake Sylvia -highlighted in my Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula Book is on Gregoire's chopping block)

Take Me Back to the 1930s
No, I'm not talking about the current state of the economy-although it does feel like we are heading there. Gulp- theme from the Waltons begin playing! I'm talking about spending some time in Washington's newest state park, Cama Beach, which will take you back to the 1930s in a warm fuzzy way. Yep! The park is a restored coastal resort from the good-ole-days. A living museum that allows you to head back into time when life was indeed simpler. Simple elegance and simple beauty is what this park is all about. The property was saved from being converted into mega-mansion trophy homes thanks to a dedicated group of Camano Islanders. After convincing the Washington State Legislature (which has never made our parks a top priority) to purchase the property (at a bargain rate thanks to the heirs) Washington State Parks did an amazing job restoring this wonderful last-of-a-kind cottage getaway to its former glory. And surrounding the rows of cabins is over 400 acres of supreme undeveloped Camano Island property, all now also a part of the Cama Beach State Park. Close to Seattle and priced for a recessionary budget, Cama Beach is worth a visit and some time. And there is some nice hiking in the park too- several miles worth of trails that radiate from the park and connect with nearby Camano Island State Park and other conservation properties on the island. I'll be highlighting one of these hikes in my due for next fall release Winter Hikes Card Deck (Mountaineers Books). But why wait until next year to visit. Head to this park now! It is destined to become one of the state's most popular. And it'll probably be just as popular tomorrow as it was back in the day!