These are difficult times for state parks.
California is threatening to close 100 of its parks. In Arizona, 17 of 28 are scheduled for closure. Idaho's governor wants that state's parks to be self-sufficient. According to a story by the Idaho Statesman 's Rocky Barker, park budgets in Pennsylvania and California were cut about 20 percent, Iowa 25 percent, Idaho 22 percent and Georgia 40 percent.
While Utah's State Parks have rightly taken the same budget hits as other agencies during the economic downturn, none have closed.
But Sen. Chris Buttars, a politician with a habit of opening his mouth before thinking, recently listed privatizing state parks along with eliminating the 12th grade as a way of saving tax dollars.
Discerning what the good senator thinks sometimes requires a Ouija board, tea leaves and tarot cards.
If he means allowing private concessionaires to operate some campgrounds and marinas on a contract basis like is done on most national forests and national parks, that's one idea. Bean counters should run the numbers and see whether that or the present system generates the most revenue while still keeping parks affordable.
But if Buttars is proposing eliminating state parks entirely, by either closing them or selling off the more desirable facilities to the highest bidders, then this ranks among his worst ideas.
Eliminating state parks would save only $10.4 million in general tax dollars annually, a tiny dent in the state budget. Since figures show that investment generates $67 million in benefits to Utah communities, many in the poorest and most rural parts of Utah, that would be foolish. This doesn't even take into account taxes on such things as gas, camping gear, boats, ATVs, golf clubs and snowmobiles spent by the 4.6 million visitors who annually visit a state park.
Many of the most popular parks do pay their way. In fact, $11.4 million in state park fees are collected each year, not to mention $1.1 million in federal dollars, $4 million in gas taxes that go to manage the boating program and another $3.6 million in gas taxes used for off-highway vehicles.
What's more, the State Parks Board has done an admirable job of keeping fees affordable.
Selling state parks to private interests would certainly change that. As just one example, compare the prices of public to private golf courses.
Just getting rid of parks isn't as easy as it sounds, a fact California discovered. Many park facilities were purchased with federal dollars that come with caveats, requiring repayment if they ever go out of public hands.
In Utah, 19 parks have such restrictions. Another 11 have facilities built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which may not look kindly upon seeing federal tax dollars given away to the highest private bidder.
What's more, there is no way that even the best private operator could make money on state park museums such as Blanding's Edge of the Cedars, Fairfield's Camp Floyd, Fillmore's Territorial Statehouse, Boulder's Anasazi or Vernal's Field House of Natural History. That's the nature of museums ,which are built to preserve our heritage, not make money.
What happens to these museums? Do you just lock them up and hope vandals leave them alone? What becomes of their collections, some of them priceless? Do you forget about their value to rural Utah?
State parks also provide state required education for youths ages eight to 15 who want to drive off-highway vehicles, personal watercraft or snowmobiles. Rangers keep boaters and OHV riders safe and enforce numerous laws while protecting the parks. Who will take up those duties? And will the state's snowmobile trail grooming be abandoned because it can't turn a profit?
These parks cost Utah's approximately 3 million citizens about $3.50 a year, less than the cost of most fast food combo meals.
Personally, I'd rather forgo a couple of my Big Gulps this week and keep my favorite park open and affordable.
