
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 8, 1995                   TAG: 9503080107
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

U.S. PARKS TO PLUMMET?

While more people visit national parks every year, the parks are providing fewer visitor services, and trails, campgrounds and exhibits are badly deteriorating, congressional auditors said Tuesday.

General Accounting Office staff members told House and Senate subcommittees on parks that the future of the national park system ``is at a crossroads.''

``Overall, the value of visitor services is deteriorating,'' testified James Duffus of the GAO. Public satisfaction with parks remains high, but ``difficult choices must be made,'' or the ``ability to preserve these treasures for the enjoyment of future generations may be in jeopardy.''

Many Republicans have urged that some marginal facilities be closed or transferred to state or private management so more money can be used to cut the backlog in maintenance and repairs in the major parks.

The Interior Department has strongly opposed such a plan. GAO auditors note that the Park Service faces $4 billion in needed maintenance at parks and federal monuments without any indication that its $1.4 billion annual budget will be increased.

Three options are to generate more revenue within the parks, reduce services, or limit the number of parks, said the GAO.

Tuesday's hearing was limited to GAO witnesses. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyoming, said he didn't want the Park Service to have to respond to a GAO investigation that has not been completed.

Joan Anselmo, spokeswoman for the Park Service, said the agency is aware of many of the problems cited. She said in many cases ``we pretty much agree with them.''

by CNB