RSPF Newsletter

Challenging Times Ahead
By René Wiley, Riverside State Park Manager

Challenging times ahead It seems every where we turn we are bombarded with news about what businesses are closing their doors, how many people are becoming unemployed and how dismal our current economic outlook is for Washington as well as the United States. Your State Parks system is in no better shape than any other state agency; we are all facing budget reductions. As much as I would like to assure you that you will not see any reductions at Riverside this year, I cannot. When the budget is approved by the legislature, I can give you more detailed information about how these reductions will influence Riverside. Below is a news release of what we are proposing this far. The best resource for keeping up with parks budget is the State Parks web site located at www.parks.wa.gov.

Thank you.
René Wiley
Riverside Area Manager

Governor’s 2009-11 budget proposal for State Parks

The Governor and Legislature are faced with a huge challenge as they work to adopt and sign a final state budget for the 2009-11 biennium, which begins July 1, 2009. The deepening national recession and decreasing state revenue predictions have created an unprecedented situation for our state budget – one that will mean sacrifices in all kinds of state services.

In the Governor’s proposal, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission would reduce its budget by 10 percent – approximately $10 million, to do its part in dealing with the state’s revenue shortfall. The final budget is scheduled for adoption in late April.

The agency already has made reductions in headquarters, region offices and in the parks to get through the current fiscal year. State Parks will make other cuts first before moving to park closures to reduce its budget in 2009-11. In an agency where at least 75 percent of funding goes directly to operate parks, a reduction of this magnitude affects parks and services.

Following is the list of State Parks’ proposed reductions under the Governor’s budget:

Reduce administrative and program functions in headquarters and close one region office: State Parks will reduce staffing from administrative and program functions and go from operating four region offices to three region offices, in order to save remaining resources for core activities. Reduction: $3.5 million, some commensurate with park closures.

Reduce equipment replacement program: State Parks has made progress in replacing obsolete equipment during the past few years, but in times like these, this program must be placed on hold. Reduction: Approximately $2 million

Eliminate specific “extra” funded services: These are services and programs that State Parks knows are valued by visitors but are not core services for State Parks. In times like these, to preserve core services, State Parks would eliminate agency funding support for partner-initiated or shared programming and concession activities and drop some funded programs considered non-core. Reduction: $1 million

Expand seasonal closures and transfer, mothball or close parks: Extend or expand seasonal park closures and transfer, mothball or close 15 parks and an environmental education program. $3.5 million (direct park cost, not considering region and centralized overhead costs).

13 parks available for transfer: Of the parks identified for possible closure, 13 could eventually be transferred to other government or non-profit owners. The Commission intends that the parks remain available to the public. These are Osoyoos, Brooks Memorial, Schafer, Bogachiel, Tolmie, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Okanogan, Wenberg, Fort Ward, Joemma Beach, Kopachuck, Lake Sylvia and Old Fort Townsend.

Other closures: Moran environmental education program could be closed with the possibility it could be reopened at a later time when state resources become available. State Parks is continuing to analyze costs and revenues associated with the Center. Nolte and Squilchuck state parks also would be closed until state resources once again became available. These properties would remain in the state inventory. State Parks will honor any camping reservations in the affected parks through Labor Day of 2009. Some of the other parks could close earlier.

How the parks were chosen: The 13 parks that could be transferred to other owners are in a category of parks deemed by the Commission as “potentially consistent” with the Centennial 2013 Vision. The Commission’s vision, adopted in 2003, identifies a system of parks of uncommon quality,” parks of statewide or greater regional significance. In 2004, the Commission set out to evaluate each and every park property in the State Parks system using a nine-point metric to determine whether the state was holding properties appropriate for state parks. During the two-year process, several park properties (undeveloped) were deemed inconsistent with the Vision, and these properties have largely been sold, with the proceeds going into the state mandated “parks acquisition account” to be used only for purchase of other parklands. “Potentially consistent” parks are those that were recognized as needing a significant investment in the future to bring them to the standard of the Centennial Vision. During discussions, the Commission noted that these parks also could be suitable for eventual operation by other government or non-profit entities.

Criteria used: The parks were evaluated using these criteria: significance (historic or uncommon natural or cultural resources; high visitation or operating at a high percentage of capacity; number and quality of visitor experiences; unique experiences; outstanding example of specific habitat or flora and fauna; well-known for scenic qualities; of sufficient size to accommodate current and future park uses and still maintain quality of experience; condition of facilities or buildings onsite; high ratio of earned revenue to management cost.

What’s next: The Legislature is expected to adopt its budget, with the Governor signing the final budget into law in April 2009. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission then will implement the budget that is adopted.

Citizen comment: Citizens may comment to the Commission by e-mail to: pao@parks.wa.gov, or by letter to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, P.O. Box 2650, Olympia, WA, 98504-2650. Citizens also may comment on budget proposals at Commission regular public meetings. For up-to-date information about meeting times, locations and agendas, visit www.parks.wa.gov/commtg.asp.


Walmart Grant for Trail Restoration
		As reported in the November newsletter, the Riverside State Park Foundation has received a grant of $20,000 from the Wal-Mart State Giving program to be used for trail restoration work within the park. Shown in the photo, Riverside State Park Foundation president Ken Carmichael, and project coordinator Suzanne Rivers accept the $20,000 check from Kyle Windhorn, Market Manager for eastern Washington and north Idaho Wal-Mart stores.

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Ranger's Log By MacArthur Mikkelsen, Head Park Ranger, Little Spokane River Natural Area Consider this a follow-up article to the one I wrote last spring about the Nine Mile Recreation Area.However, this one is to inform all of you of some new and exciting developments for the area. If you visited the park in previous years you’ll probably recall a blue building, or the “Blue Monster” as some of us called it. That was the facility that was used in previous years for taking a shower, using the restroom, and even storage for the park’s tools, equipment, and supplies. Well as handy as that all may seem, the building was a major eye sore, and really not very functional. Thus, Washington State Parks and Avista Corp. teamed up to replace the facility with brand new restrooms and showers. The new restroom is set in the exact location as the “Blue Monster”, but is much nicer and obviously newer. It was prefabricated by CXT off site then delivered and set into its location on November 18, 2008. Park staff assisted contractors in this truly exciting happening for the park. We hope you all enjoy this new, clean and functional facility. It should make everyone’s visit more pleasant. The Nine Mile Rec. Area will also be offering a new reservation system for the 24 campsites within the park. All Washington State Parks have switched over to “Everest”, it is a new and improved reservation system. To make a reservation, go to www.parks.wa.gov and follow the links for camping reservations. Another improvement that will be made before the May 15, 2009 opening is a replacement to the dock that was removed last year due to health and safety reasons. There will be a 40’ dock installed on the other side of the boat ramp making it easier for boaters to launch and recover their vessels. This additional dock will make the flow of launch traffic smoother and also provide the boaters a tie up to give them ample time to stow their belongings before they head out onto Lake Spokane. Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission hopes that you enjoy these new facilities. The goal is to ensure that all of your visits to the park are memorable and enjoyable.
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Challenging Times Ahead By René Wiley, Riverside State Park Manager Challenging times ahead It seems every where we turn we are bombarded with news about what businesses are closing their doors, how many people are becoming unemployed and how dismal our current economic outlook is for Washington as well as the United States. Your State Parks system is in no better shape than any other state agency; we are all facing budget reductions. As much as I would like to assure you that you will not see any reductions at Riverside this year, I cannot. When the budget is approved by the legislature, I can give you more detailed information about how these reductions will influence Riverside. Below is a news release of what we are proposing this far. The best resource for keeping up with parks budget is the State Parks web site located at www.parks.wa.gov. Thank you. René Wiley Riverside Area Manager Governor’s 2009-11 budget proposal for State Parks The Governor and Legislature are faced with a huge challenge as they work to adopt and sign a final state budget for the 2009-11 biennium, which begins July 1, 2009. The deepening national recession and decreasing state revenue predictions have created an unprecedented situation for our state budget – one that will mean sacrifices in all kinds of state services. In the Governor’s proposal, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission would reduce its budget by 10 percent – approximately $10 million, to do its part in dealing with the state’s revenue shortfall. The final budget is scheduled for adoption in late April. The agency already has made reductions in headquarters, region offices and in the parks to get through the current fiscal year. State Parks will make other cuts first before moving to park closures to reduce its budget in 2009-11. In an agency where at least 75 percent of funding goes directly to operate parks, a reduction of this magnitude affects parks and services. Following is the list of State Parks’ proposed reductions under the Governor’s budget: Reduce administrative and program functions in headquarters and close one region office: State Parks will reduce staffing from administrative and program functions and go from operating four region offices to three region offices, in order to save remaining resources for core activities. Reduction: $3.5 million, some commensurate with park closures. Reduce equipment replacement program: State Parks has made progress in replacing obsolete equipment during the past few years, but in times like these, this program must be placed on hold. Reduction: Approximately $2 million Eliminate specific “extra” funded services: These are services and programs that State Parks knows are valued by visitors but are not core services for State Parks. In times like these, to preserve core services, State Parks would eliminate agency funding support for partner-initiated or shared programming and concession activities and drop some funded programs considered non-core. Reduction: $1 million Expand seasonal closures and transfer, mothball or close parks: Extend or expand seasonal park closures and transfer, mothball or close 15 parks and an environmental education program. $3.5 million (direct park cost, not considering region and centralized overhead costs). 13 parks available for transfer: Of the parks identified for possible closure, 13 could eventually be transferred to other government or non-profit owners. The Commission intends that the parks remain available to the public. These are Osoyoos, Brooks Memorial, Schafer, Bogachiel, Tolmie, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Okanogan, Wenberg, Fort Ward, Joemma Beach, Kopachuck, Lake Sylvia and Old Fort Townsend. Other closures: Moran environmental education program could be closed with the possibility it could be reopened at a later time when state resources become available. State Parks is continuing to analyze costs and revenues associated with the Center. Nolte and Squilchuck state parks also would be closed until state resources once again became available. These properties would remain in the state inventory. State Parks will honor any camping reservations in the affected parks through Labor Day of 2009. Some of the other parks could close earlier. How the parks were chosen: The 13 parks that could be transferred to other owners are in a category of parks deemed by the Commission as “potentially consistent” with the Centennial 2013 Vision. The Commission’s vision, adopted in 2003, identifies a system of parks of uncommon quality,” parks of statewide or greater regional significance. In 2004, the Commission set out to evaluate each and every park property in the State Parks system using a nine-point metric to determine whether the state was holding properties appropriate for state parks. During the two-year process, several park properties (undeveloped) were deemed inconsistent with the Vision, and these properties have largely been sold, with the proceeds going into the state mandated “parks acquisition account” to be used only for purchase of other parklands. “Potentially consistent” parks are those that were recognized as needing a significant investment in the future to bring them to the standard of the Centennial Vision. During discussions, the Commission noted that these parks also could be suitable for eventual operation by other government or non-profit entities. Criteria used: The parks were evaluated using these criteria: significance (historic or uncommon natural or cultural resources; high visitation or operating at a high percentage of capacity; number and quality of visitor experiences; unique experiences; outstanding example of specific habitat or flora and fauna; well-known for scenic qualities; of sufficient size to accommodate current and future park uses and still maintain quality of experience; condition of facilities or buildings onsite; high ratio of earned revenue to management cost. What’s next: The Legislature is expected to adopt its budget, with the Governor signing the final budget into law in April 2009. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission then will implement the budget that is adopted. Citizen comment: Citizens may comment to the Commission by e-mail to: pao@parks.wa.gov, or by letter to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, P.O. Box 2650, Olympia, WA, 98504-2650. Citizens also may comment on budget proposals at Commission regular public meetings. For up-to-date information about meeting times, locations and agendas, visit www.parks.wa.gov/commtg.asp.
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New Remit Envelopes For those of you who are used to seeing our remit envelopes inside the newsletter, you'll notice a few changes in the design. You now have the option to specify how you'd like your donation to be used: Annual Donation Special Foundation Projects in the Park Education Fund Please be sure to check the appropriate box when mailing in your donation and you can be confident that it will be used in the area you choose. In the past we have asked the donor to check the box if they'd like to receive the Foundation newsletter, (mailed about 4 times a year.) Now, you will automatically be added to the newsletter mailing list. If you do NOT wish to receive the newsletter, please indicate that next to your name inside the envelope and we will delete you from our mailing list.
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Walmart Grant for Trail Restoration

Ranger's Log By MacArthur Mikkelsen, Head Park Ranger, Little Spokane River Natural Area

Ranger's Log

By MacArthur Mikkelsen, Head Park Ranger, Little Spokane River Natural Area