DNR Recreation Budget Challenge 2010

[Grumpy]

December 29, 2009


Hi, folks:

I hope you have been able to enjoy the holiday season.

The coming year will be bringing additional challenges to DNR’s recreation program, with funding being the key issue. I am confident we can work together to come up with practical solutions.

On January 11, legislators will return to Olympia to begin the 2010 legislative session. And although this is technically not a budget year, lawmakers will be addressing new budget challenges in light of the state’s $2.6 billion deficit.

Earlier this month, Gov. Gregoire released her supplemental budget. As required by law, the governor’s proposal must close the budget shortfall. Under the governor’s proposal, the Recreation Program’s general fund budget will be cut by $278,000.


What could this proposed cut mean to you?

If the legislature follows the governor’s direction, the Recreation Program’s general fund budget will run out in late March 2010. General fund money pays for important goods, services, and programs such as pumping outhouses; maintaining facilities and trails; training and supporting volunteers; and replacing vandalized and worn out signs, picnic tables, corrals and other amenities.

But most important to you, the general fund pays for nearly two dozen DNR recreation trails and facilities that aren’t eligible for funding by the state’s Off-road Vehicle (ORV) account. Some of these areas are DNR’s most popular places, especially with hikers, paddlers, and boaters: Mt. Si Trailhead, McLane Creek, Mima Mounds, Cypress Head campground and trails, and Lake Spokane, for example.

If the legislature approves the Governor’s funding proposal, DNR will be forced to close—by March 2010—the following recreation areas supported by the general fund.



Pacific Cascades Region

· McLane Creek Day-use Area (15,000 visits/year)

· Mima Mounds Interpretive Center (12,000 visits/year)

· Butte Creek Picnic Area and Trail (1,000 visits/year)


Olympic Region

· Little River Trailhead (3,650 visits/year)

· Bear Creek Campground (4,680 visits/year)

· Lyre River Campground (9,950 visits/year)

· Minnie Peterson Campground (3,600 visits/year)

· Willoughby Creek Campground (1,620 visits/year)


South Puget Sound Region

· Little Si Trailhead (150,000 visits/year)

· Mount Si Trailhead, 16 miles of trails (350,000 visits/year)

· Middle Fork Snoqualmie, 15 miles of trails (30,000 visits/year)

· Rattlesnake Trails, 8 miles of trails (30,000 visits/year)


Northwest Region

· Cattle Point & Trail (12,000 visits/year)

· Cattle Point Lighthouse (12,000 visits/year)

· Cypress Head Campground, 18 miles of trail

· Lummi Island Campground (2,000 visits/year)


Northeast Region

· Dragoon Creek campground (10,000 visits/year)

· Lake Spokane Campground (30,000 visits/year)

· Leader Lake (15,000 visits/year)

· Palmer Lake (15,000 visits/year)


Southeast

· Indian Camp (10,000 visits/year)

· Milwaukee Road Corridor, 34 miles of trail (1,000 visits/year)


** Visits per year are based on DNR staff estimates.


The governor’s supplemental budget does offer some good news: an appropriation of an additional $200,000 from the state’s ORV account. These funds can only be used for designated recreation facilities that fall within the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) Program funding criteria. (http://tinyurl.com/yht6ytn)

The legislature will be working on some recreation-related bills, such as HB 2480/SB 8237. These identical bills were requested by Commissioner Goldmark and are based on some of the funding recommendations from the Sustainable Recreation Work Group. (For more information, see news release at http://tinyurl.com/ylf95h6).

As the legislative session unfolds, I am committed to keeping you informed about how recreation on DNR-managed lands will be affected. In the meantime, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how we can get through this challenging time and keep state trust lands open for people to enjoy.

If you want more background on the budget process, I recommend the frequently asked questions on the Governor’s budget page at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/faq.asp



Mark R. Mauren
Assistant Division Manager
Recreation, Public Access and WCC Programs
Asset Management and Recreation Division
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
360-902-1047
mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov


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[Hammy]

I think we had better be ready to pull some cash out of our pockets. I'm sure thats where this is going.

I understand next year will be worse than this year for funding for DNR Project and areas.

[Grumpy]

That could be an understatement...