Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 12, 1993 TAG: 9309120058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WHITE HALL LENGTH: Medium
"I've been challenged in some places to figure out where the trail is," said John Holden, who manages a Charlottesville camping store and hikes regularly in the park, which has more than 500 miles of trails.
Visitors to the park are greeted by a signboard showing two closed campgrounds, and a newsletter explaining the park has fallen on hard times.
The park also delayed the opening of two campgrounds and two visitor centers, increased rangers' response time to visitors' requests for help, and will close visitors' centers early this fall and winter.
"There was no way to get more money," park spokesman Sandy Rives said. "We just had to operate within the amount of money given, and every single national park had an operating shortfall."
The 1993 budget of $6.99 million was also stretched by infestations of three types of tree-killing insects, several snowstorms and an ice storm in March that caused about $250,000 in damage.
Motorists looking for scenic spots are seeing patches of dead trees along the 105-mile Skyline Drive that bisects the park. Downed trees and ground cover have taken over some trails.
"I was on one trail that was extremely difficult to follow," Holden said. "It was supposed to take an hour and a half, but it took me four hours."
Holden said disappointed campers have come into his Blue Ridge Mountain Sports store after discovering closed campgrounds. "They were looking for the private camping experience, and a KOA is not going to do it for them," he said.
During April and May, the park had a major medical or rescue operation every weekend. The problems may have been related to the reduced ranger services and closed visitors' centers, normally a major source of safety information, Rives said.
In two areas, however, cutbacks have coincided with changes in park management philosophy. Fewer mowings along Skyline Drive have allowed a more natural, wildflower look to take hold, and a reduced number of trash cans has been combined with an aluminum recycling effort.
Park Superintendent William Wade made the budget cuts in December after the Interior Department overruled his first money-saving proposal, a plan to save $200,000 by closing part of Skyline Drive during the six-month off-season. Businesses surrounding the park lobbied congressmen to keep the road open.
Although recreational cuts had to be made instead, keeping Skyline Drive open was worth it, said Randy Collins, executive director of the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce.
"When people find out the Mathews Arm campground is closed, they're not happy, but we're able to give them some other choice," he said.
A pamphlet titled "Why Are We Doing Less?" has been distributed since May at the visitors' centers. It was criticized Thursday by the three congressmen whose districts include the park.
The pamphlet is, at best, misleading in describing the dispute over the partial road closure, according to a letter from Rep. Thomas Bliley, R-Richmond, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Fairfax, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke. The letter was sent to Roger Kennedy, director of the park service.
Also, the road closure proposal is an example of fiscal irresponsibility because almost $200,000 in park entrance fees would have been lost if the road was closed, the letter said. The park needs to develop a "forward-thinking plan to restructure Shenandoah National Park in preparation for increasing fiscal constraints," it said.
The park is developing a budget plan for a future that probably won't include full funding, Rives said.
Wade said his top priority would be to protect the mountainous park by patrolling remote areas and enforcing hunting laws.
by CNB