Parks & Rec proposes solutions to its budget challenges

ISLAND PARK — Idaho’s Parks and Recreation Department (IDPR) may not be eliminated, state officials said Tuesday, because IDPR’s director, Nancy Merrill, is finding ways to cut the agency’s budget and attract more revenue.

It’s a “may” with a capital “M,” however. Jennifer Wernex, IPPR communications manager, said Wednesday (January 20) that  nothing is set in stone — the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) public hearing on Otter’s proposal to eliminate IDPR is still set for Monday, February 1. At that meeting, Merrill will review her budget proposal. The governor and legislators could still decide to dissolve IDPR.

The governor and legislators have been bombarded with citizen protests to Gov. Butch Otter’s proposal to eliminate IDPR and transfer administration of the state’s 30 parks and recreation programs to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). “We (IPPR staff) are quite aware that there has been a widespread effort on behalf of Parks and Recreation,” said Wernex.

Wernex said Merrill wants to use RV registration money to fund some IDPR operations normally funded by user fees, while the department’s budget is boosted by fee increases that went into effect on January 1. The annual parks pass fee went from $25 to $35, the daily use fee went from $4 to $5 per vehicle, a premium campsite fee was added, and other camping fees were raised, she noted. She said the citizens advisory board that distributes the RV registration funding has agreed to temporarily reallocate the funds to help the budget while the new fees are being collected.

Wernex said Merrill is also looking at ways to increase the days and hours people staff entrance stations so fees are collected from more users. Presently, several parks operate on an “honor system” where people voluntarily place fees in a lock box because IDPR is not paying people to staff entrance stations or make contact with park visitors to collect fees. This happens in Harriman State Park. For example, the office was not open to sell passes on Sunday, January 17, yet both parking lots were filled with visitor vehicles.

Partnerships between parks and private businesses are also being proposed, Wernex noted.

Also in the works and being spearheaded by private citizens is the formation of a foundation to raise money for Harriman State Park. Stay tuned for more information.

Harriman State Park users in Fremont County were some of the first people to protest the closure proposal since it could mean the end of Harriman State Park. That’s because the Averill and Roland Harriman families donated the park to Idaho with the stipulation that it be run by a “professional” parks agency. IDL does not fit the bill, since it’s legally bound to manage lands to make money through commercial endeavors or the extractive industries — logging and mining. The governor and the Harriman families have not yet announced any solution to this problem.

Island Park resident, Kate Chase, created an online petition at the Care2 Network’s Web site that, as of Wednesday, January 20, has received more than 1200 signatures from Idahoans and people from all over the world. Addressed to Gov. Otter, it states, “ We the undersigned urge you to keep the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Eliminating this department would have a drastic impact on the state’s tourism and recreation industries and on the well being of Idaho citizens and visitors. People from around the world visit the State of Idaho to experience its wilderness and public spaces. By losing these assets Idaho will lose not only revenue, it will lose a portion of its pride and pioneering spirit. We thank you for your time and again urge you to keep the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.”

The petition is at saveidahoparks.com . Many signers noted that they fish the Railroad Ranch stretch of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River that flows through Harriman State Park.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) will hold a public hearing on Otter’s proposal at 8 a.m. Monday, February 1. The first 45 minutes will be devoted to recommendations of the Interim Committee on Alternative Funding for Parks and Recreation and a review of the current funding sources. The next hour will be for testimony from the state Department of Parks and Recreation. After a 15 minute break, the committee will hear from the Department of Lands.

After its series of public hearings on the budget, JFAC presents an appropriations bill to the Legislature, which holds more hearings before submitting the final budget to the governor.

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