Legislative/Arizona State Parks Board Update
Wednesday; April 28, 2010: House Bill 2464 died today in Third Read. The final vote was 18-12. Thank you to the 18 Arizona Senators who supported Arizona State Parks today and joined Arizona State Parks Foundation in opposing this damaging bill. Special thanks to Senators Steve Pierce (R-1), Carolyn Allen (R-8), John Nelson (R-12), Barbara Leff (R-11), and Jay Tibshraeny (R-21) who voted their convictions and not along party lines. The legacy of our State Parks was saved due to their efforts.
Friday, April 9, 2010: Senate Amendments to H.B. 2464
This Striker, sponsored by Senator Ron Gould (R-Dist. 3), directs the Arizona State Parks board to enter into a lease agreement with Lake Havasu City for Lake Havasu State Park for a term of 25 years that limits revenue to Arizona State Parks to $50,000 annually, instead of the $400,000 it needs, not only for Lake Havasu State Park, but to help with other parks in the system. Please click on this link for more information, and which legislator to call to voice your concerns.
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010: Rep. Kavanagh is at it again! He has introduced a Striker to HB2599 (see AZ 49th Legislature - Second Regular Session) that allows voluntary $10 contributions to be made to State Parks through the vehicle registration process. This is NOT a sustainable funding solution for our state park system.
Rep. Kavanagh has almost singlehandedly killed HCR2040 from the House Appropriations Committee. This bill would have given the State Parks a Sustenable source of funding, and not allowed the State to use any of the funds generated.
See the above link for more information, and which legislator to call.
Sample letters: Please click on this link for talking points you can use when writing a letter to your legislator.
Current Status
The Arizona State Parks Board voted today (May 19, 2010) to keep five more State Parks from closing on June 3 by directing Executive Director Renee Bahl to sign unique management and financial agreements with rural communities to keep each one open. (Roper Lake, Lost Dutchman, Picacho Peak, Lake Alamo and Tubac State Parks)
"The State Parks Board, a volunteer group of seven members, has voted in the last three months to negotiate with counties, cities and parks friends groups to fund a total of 23 State Parks to be open into the next fiscal year. The real key now is that we need every Arizonan to use their State Parks as often as possible," said Bahl. "We want the public to know that the Board and staff are focusing on keeping State Parks open because the fiscal impact and loss of jobs from closed parks would be devastating to these rural towns and we believe every Arizonan deserves a robust State Park system."
According to Parks Board Chairman, Reese Woodling, "We have been successful in finding solutions to keep State Parks open, but these are only short term measures. It is a miracle that these communities have raised the funds to keep these parks open so far this year. Arizonans should be proud that so many concerned individuals have stepped forward to lead the communities to cobble together these monies."
"Unfortunately we have lost $10 million dollars from the Heritage Fund to support State, County and City parks and our operating budget has dropped significantly. In two years, the total amount of sweeps and diversions from twelve fund sources that benefit Arizona conservation projects has been $71 million."
Here are some of the highlights of the community efforts: Bashas' Family of Stores (130) raised $20,000, Dasani Water raised $5,000 for recycling programs, Apache Junction businesses raised $26,000 (Lost Dutchman), Tubac Historical Society raised $35,000 (Tubac Presidio), Friends of Tonto raised $8,000 (Tonto Nat. Bridge), Wickenburg/Salome raised $30,000 (Alamo), Riordan Action Alliance raised $40,000 (Riordan Mansion), the City of Eloy has raised $20,000 (Picacho Peak), Benefactors of Red Rock State Park have raised $60,000, Friends of Oracle State Park have raised $50,000 and Yuma raised $70,000 (Territorial Prison). The Arizona Game and Fish Department helped Graham County rescue Roper Lake State Park and Apache County will keep Lyman Lake open this summer. Arizona Highways Magazine has already sold more than 100 magazine subscriptions to support State Parks and the increased tourism these subscriptions will generate will help increase park revenues.
Hat's Off to our Partnership with Arizona Highways: Please subscribe!
Arizona Highways will donate $5 to the Arizona State Parks (you MAY designate Roper Lake as the beneficiary), with every subscription. Additionally, a documentary on our State Parks is available to show at a Friends Meeting. It is very informative and the photography is beautiful! Please clink on this link for more information on how you can help.
Meetings
Board of Directors for Friends of Roper Lake State Park
May 25, 2010 7 p.m.
921 Thatcher Blvd (Graham County Gen'l Svc Bldg)
Safford, Arizona
Minutes of March 23, 2010 (Board of Directors)
Minutes of March 31, 2010 (Board of Directors)
Minutes of April 8, 2010 (Friends)
Minutes of April 15, 2010 (Board of Directors)
