 May 23, 2002
"What's so frustrating about this action is that we are currently collecting enough user fees from the public to keep all these parks open," said Park Director Jim Stratton. "Alaskans and tourists are more than willing to pay to use the parks, but the legislature won't give us the authority to keep these fees and reinvest them in the park system." State Parks anticipates it will collect over $2 million in fees next year. The fees pay for clean toilets, garbage service, safe water, public information, and law enforcement. However, the legislature is allowing only $1,830,000 of those fees to be spent on state parks. The $186,000 difference would keep the 11 park units open. Three permanent Park Ranger positions and 4 summer seasonal positions will be cut as a result of the cuts. Alaska State Parks will begin implementing 9 Mat-Su Valley closures immediately. These units were closed for winter and will remain gated closed;
Unit to be gated closed;
Park units with camping loops blocked off but access to the day-use area not restricted and no services provided include;
Access not restricted but no toilet or garbage facilities will be available at Little Nelchina State Recreation Site (137.4 Glenn Highway), and Long Lake State Recreation Site (85.3 Glenn Highway). Alaska State Parks is exploring alternatives to closure of two Fairbanks area parks. Local tour operators expressed interest in managing the Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area and the Chena River State Recreation Site located on University Avenue through a private contract. "Alaska residents and visitors will still be able to walk into these parks," said State Park Chief of Field Operations Pete Panarese. "But vehicular access will be prohibited to protect the parks as much as possible from vandalism. In addition, picnic tables will be removed, outhouses will be boarded up, and there will be no garbage service or outhouse pumping." Despite a flat budget, the Parks division has successfully kept parks open with a variety of budget saving measures, including contracting for private operation of select campgrounds, closing remote and seldom used sites, and transferring facilities to local government. Hundreds of people have volunteered as campground hosts and trail crew. "It is disappointing to have invested so much time and effort into keeping the park system open through creative measures that increase our efficiency and then have the Legislature reward our efforts with a budget cut that requires us to close parks. It is very demoralizing," Stratton said. "The remaining 110 Alaska State parks will be open and provide diverse recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike." said Stratton. "We are committed to providing clean, safe and well maintained parks where we have the budget to do so." "We know Alaskans and the people who visit our beautiful state are passionate about the places they recreate," said Commissioner of Community and Economic Development Debby Sedwick. "Fortunately, we do not believe the few closures will have a major effect on tourists visiting the state. The majority of the Alaska State Park system, both road based and in more remote locations, is still accessible. Package tour participants that see Alaska by ship, cruise and bus will see limited impact. The biggest impact will be felt by those enjoying Alaska in their private or rented vehicle." Alaskans who have purchased a 2002 annual pass for camping, day use parking, or boat launching that will be impacted by this legislative action may receive a refund on those passes through June 7, 2002. To obtain a refund, scrape off the decal and bring it to the nearest DNR Public Information Center. Refund checks will be mailed within three weeks.
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