State park cuts raise concerns

CARSON CITY -- Nevada lawmakers raised concerns Friday over limited park operations and park staff reductions that would be required under Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposed budget cuts.

Spending by agencies dealing with conservation and natural resources, including the state's park system, would be reduced by just over 18 percent, to about $52 million for the coming two fiscal years.

Of Nevada's 25 state parks, 10 would be operated on a seasonal basis, and would close during the least-visited times of the year. Full-time park staff would be cut 111 to 98, state Parks Administrator David Morrow told a Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee.

Besides the cuts, the park budget includes just over $100,000 for new equipment, including a snow blower and two trucks. Morrow said the requests were critical for safety, security and keeping parks accessible during snowy weather.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, said the idea of reduced park operating times was troubling. He also suggested that money proposed for equipment be used for staffing instead.

"It's painful to even close access for a day to a state park, and to have them closed for months at a time is tough," Coffin said after the hearing. "Things that are wearing, we are just going to have to wear them out more. I'd rather do that than lose people. That's what keeps a state park alive."

Allen Biaggi, director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said his staff's approach to the budget was to "swap and grab certain budget reductions so we didn't impact any one program to a significant extent."

Assemblyman Joe Hogan, D-Las Vegas, said the proposed closings of state parks reduces the time people in urban areas have to experience the state's natural settings. He said such cuts add to other services, such as libraries and museums, which could be reduced under Gibbons' budget.

"We need to put our feet down and not accept all of these cuts," Hogan said. "Taken together, they have a devastating impact that will be with us for years to come."

Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, D-Henderson, the budget subcommittee chairwoman, asked Morrow to submit at the next subcommittee meeting his top five priorities of budget items to be kept if the governor's proposed budget does not go through.