Saving Washington State Parks

TO:
Mr. Rex Derr, Director of Washington State Parks
Governor Christine Gregoire
All Members of the Washington State Senate
All Members of the Washington House of Representatives


WE, THE UNDERSIGNED OF WASHINGTON, formally state our objection to and solutions for the proposed closing or mothballing of any or all Washington State Parks. The Washington State Parks slated for closure or mothballing serve over 9 million visitors annually and provide unique recreational, historical, ecological and economical value to the people and communities they serve. Closure or mothballing would also create public safety issues, the prevention and management of which creates a strain on local, county and state police.


Value of our State Parks:

*Recreational: Washington State Parks encourage individual and community quality of life by providing an array of outdoor opportunities, including boating, camping, running, diving, fishing, kayaking, kite flying, rock climbing, picnicking, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, wind surfing and paragliding. State Parks additionally serve as gateways to the exploration of nature, both for young families and outdoor novices, instilling a lifetime of outdoor appreciation and stewardship.

*Ecological: Washington State Parks support a variety of fish, plant and wildlife habitats, including those of threatened species. The careful management and regular monitoring of these areas by park staff ensures continued preservation of these resources and protects the health of our states lands and waterways.

*Historical: Parks on the closure and mothballing list feature elements of historical value, including lighthouses, military installations, interpretive centers and archeological sites, whose maintenance and conservation will lapse, and possibly never recover if they were to close either permanently or temporarily.

*Economical: Washington State Parks are world-class destinations for both in and out-of-state visitors who wish to explore Washingtons uncommon outdoor offerings and cultural history. During their visits, State Park tourists inject millions of tax dollars into the states economy through purchases of food, lodging and fuel. Studies in California found that that for every $1 invested by the state in the park system, $2.35 in revenues were returned to the states general fund, largely in the form of economic activity in local markets.


Public Health and Safety Concerns Associated with Closures:
The termination of park maintenance resulting from mothballing or closure will cause a myriad of public safety issues, including increased vandalism of both state and private property, a rise in assaults on visitors and the creation of havens for drug activity. Law enforcement expenditures from local, county and state police forces will skyrocket, in order to replicate the patrols and regulation previously handled by park rangers.


Solutions:
We suggest that instead of closing (either temporarily or permanently), mothballing, or transferring ownership and management of any Washington State Park that the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the State of Washington explore other options for generating revenue for Washington State Parks, such as:

*A Day Use Fee: Formerly, parking fees netted about $8.5 million per year for State Parks. While previous legislation authorizing fees resulted in a temporary lapse in visitors, after a short period people began to return to their parks. Any new fee regime at the state level should be nominal, and should include a statewide annual pass, as well as provisions that reward members of the public who volunteer for two days on state park lands with an annual pass.

*Penny for Parks: Senator Mary Margaret Haugen has proposed directing a portion of the states property tax to State Parks. According to SJR 8216, Washington citizens would be assessed one cent for every $1,000 of assessed value.

*Excise Tax: A 0.5\% excise tax on registrations for recreation vehicles in Washington, similar to programs in place for boats and snowmobiles, could generate roughly $40 million each biennium for State Parks and Department of Natural Resources lands.


We believe that State Parks are an opportunity, not a burden, and that temporary financial challenges are insufficient rationale for depriving millions of citizens of low-cost recreational opportunities and destroying the fragile environments of public lands.