ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov

Note regarding this release: During Legislative Session 5, Senate Bill 1001 was passed and signed by the Governor and the Sweep of the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund was rescinded. There was no fund sweep from the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund.

Special Session Bill Sweeps $8.6 Million from State Park Gate Fees, Donations & Heritage Funds

(Phoenix, AZ - Dec. 17, 2009; updated Jan. 5, 2010) Laws Chapter 1, 5th Special Session 2009 enacts reductions and sweeps of $8.6 million from conservation funds such as the State Parks gate fees, donations, State Lake Improvement Fund and Heritage Funds. The consequence of the sweeps will be the closure of State Parks causing an additional $266 million revenue loss to these rural communities by reducing leisure business generated by the 2.3 million park visitors. During Legislative Session 5, Senate Bill 1001 was passed and signed by the Governor and the Sweep of the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund was rescinded. There was no fund sweep from the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund.

"These sweeps will be catastrophic to the agency and will eliminate any hope of us operating the system or contributing to the economies of these rural communities," said Reese Woodling, the Arizona State Parks Board Chairman. "If this bill passes we would need to reduce staff by approximately 75 of our remaining 218 employees and that step would force park closures. Also, these cuts are based on the Parks being open and earning over $8 million from gate fees which will not happen with Parks closed."

Laws Chapter 1, 5th Special Session 2009 seeks $205 million in state government cuts to begin to address a deficit currently estimated at $1.5 billion. The proposed cuts to State Parks would equate to almost 5% of their solution, while State Parks currently receives less than 1/10 of 1% of the overall state budget. Additionally, State Parks receives NO money from the state General Fund, however the impact of the park system on the state's economy is more than $266 million.

Here are the sweeps from State Parks funds:

  • $2,302,100 in reductions and sweeps to the Enhancement Fund (gate fees), which is the agency's principle operating budget, will force staff reductions. The resulting loss in revenue will result in a zero balance to begin the next fiscal year (July 2010).
     
  • $1,915,800 in reductions and sweeps to the State Lake Improvement Fund. These cuts would make it impossible to operate the parks along the Colorado River. The Enhancement Fund and SLIF reductions equate to the loss of at least 75 employees, certainly leading to many park closures.
     
  • $3,909,400 in reductions and sweeps to the Arizona Heritage Fund will imperil funding for critical State Parks capital projects (including a water line for fire suppression at Lake Havasu State Park and the extension of Benson water line necessary for the long-term health of Kartchner Caverns), and the grants that have been awarded out to Arizona's communities for historic preservation and city/county parks.
     
  • State Parks Gift Shop revolving fund $131,500

  • State Parks Donations Fund $213,900

  • Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund $610,200

  • Partnerships Fund $156,900

For more information contact Arizona State Parks at (602) 542-4174 or visit AZStateParks.com.

-end-

5th Special Session, 49th Legislature
December 17-19, 2009 — Laws Chapter 1
Funding Source Amount
Fund Reductions and Transfers (FRATs)
Heritage Fund (1,784,700)
Publications and Souvenir Revolving Fund (37,500)
State Lake Improvement Fund (528,500)
Enhancement Fund (671,300)
Subtotal $3,022,000
Excess Balance Transfers (EBTs or Sweeps)
Heritage Fund (2,124,700)
Partnerships Fund (IGAs) (156,900)
Publications and Souvenir Revolving Fund (94,000)
State Lake Improvement Fund (1,387,300)
State Parks Fund (Donations) (213,900)
Enhancement Fund (1,630,800)
Subtotal $5,607,600
Total Reductions
$8,629,600

The next Board Meeting is January 15, 2010. The meeting will take place at the Stonehouse Pavillion at the Phoenix Zoo. Get Directions External Link. The Executive Session begins at 9 am, the Public Meeting begins at 10 am. You may download the Board Agenda & Staff Recommendations on the Board page.

Learn more about the Arizona State Parks Board (Learn More)

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link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_12-17-09.html

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