Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 28, 1993 TAG: 9305280096
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
National Park Service spokesman Duncan Morrow said the cutbacks are being ordered because of a budgetary shortfall of more than $40 million.
The department had counted on $250 million in President Clinton's jobs-stimulus package to make up the shortfall. But the Senate balked at approving the measure and, for now, no other source of funds is in sight.
The administration is hoping, however, that the cutbacks will last only through the summer. Clinton is proposing a 19 percent increase in Park Service operations for 1994, with an overall $300 million budget increase, bringing the total to $1.5 billion.
Morrow said the parks began the year by projecting a need for $34 million in additional funds to maintain last year's level of services. That shortfall was increased by major storm damage to several Northeastern parks and winter storms in Appalachia that required large search-and-rescue expenditures as well as costly repairs.
The Wilderness Society, which found a range of cutbacks in a survey of the national parks, called the situation "a sad commentary."
"We've been nickel-and-diming our national parks for too long, but much of the damage was invisible to the average visitor. The cumulative impact is getting harder and harder to hide," said Wilderness Society President Karin Sheldon.
The environmental group surveyed 30 parks across the country and found that among other changes, Yosemite's campgrounds at Bridalveil Creek and Yosemite Creek will not open this summer. Lifeguard service will not be provided at two of the three beaches at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Olympic National Park, which receives 3 million visitors a year, will leave three of its four entry stations unstaffed.
At Shenandoah National Park, staff cutbacks delayed the opening of the Big Meadow family campground by three months this year and two other campgrounds have been closed.
Rangers report difficulty in meeting law enforcement challenges, including emergency responses as well as dealing with crime. Yosemite, which had 846 arrests last year, will have its patrol staff cut from 26 to 19.
by CNB