Orcas Discusses the Future Funding of State Parks

By Michel Vekved

Last Saturday, a meeting on Orcas to discuss the future of Washington State Parks was held at the Eastsound Fire Hall.

Ten similar meetings took place statewide as a public outreach. Daniel Farber, Director Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs for Washington State Parks came to Orcas by request of the Friends of Moran State Park.

Nearly 120 individuals attended the meeting to learn more about parks and voice their concerns. The meeting was considered successful by Friends of Moran primarily because of the number of people that attended who had an opportunity to voice their comments and fears.

By August 1, 2012, State Parks must submit a financial plan specifying progress toward a self-supporting state park program.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) is planning to keep state parks open; however it is uncertain whether state parks will receive any money from the general fund in 2013.

In previous years (2009-11) 46 percent of general tax funds have covered the state park operating budget. In 2011 that percentage was cut to 12 percent. This means one of two things:

• the general fund needs to cover state park operations
• or there has to be a creative alternative.

Three potential alternatives were provided by WSPRC:

• operate parks as an enterprise;
• as a public asset;
• or as a community nonprofit.

The community listened attentively to the presentation by WSPRC.  Comments and concerns were shared, a number of people wanted to know why state parks got a smaller and smaller portion of general funds and why in the near future state parks may get nothing from the general fund.  Many audience members requested that state parks continue to receive general fund dollars. They questioned who was standing up for parks as budget cut decisions are made.

When some audience members began pointing fingers at WSPRC and Commissioners for not standing up for state parks, WSPRC responded that it has asked the governor and legislature for continued General Fund support, and will likely be doing so again.

Jim Schuh, Moran State Park Manager provided an overview of the current park staff cuts, while Friends of Moran illustrated the ongoing projects, educational outreach and awareness they provide to support the park and visitors.

A number of those in attendance were concerned about privatization and big business in our state parks. Others thought the idea of shifting the financial responsibility to a community nonprofit was not a sustainable solution while others pointed out that some nonprofits are very successful. Some remarked that parks created jobs for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)  during the Depression of the 1930s. Most agreed that not one of the alternatives was a good fit for state parks, but some combination.

Many in the audience wanted the park treated as a public asset-meaning it belongs to the public and should be funded by the general fund. Some people walked away frustrated, saying the presentation didn’t give any solutions to the funding cuts or funding gaps. They understood the meeting was public outreach, they understood the legislators need to hear from the public, but they were not convinced that their concerns and requests were being heard by legislators.

WSPRC is holding a special meeting on Monday, June 18 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Washington State Parks Headquarters Moran Meeting Room, 1111 Israel Road SW Olympia, WA 98504. The meeting will discuss the outcome of the statewide public meetings and set forth budget proposals for the financial operating plan for 2013-2015. The public is encouraged to attend.

Michel Vekved is President of the non-profit Friends of Moran State Park