Privatization of state parks

[KBCraig]

I'll point out another alternative: volunteerism. Only by those who value the function of any particular state park(s), of course, and who volunteer to keep those parks open. No obligation on the part of anyone else.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Report%3a+State+parks+need+outside+help&articleId=0da557a7-b01d-4edd-9571-e4b0277cc740

Report: State parks need outside help

By PAULA TRACY
Union Leader Staff

Concord ? The New Hampshire state parks system cannot sustain itself into the future on a self-funded basis and will need to look at privatizing some of its functions, general fund assistance for historic sites and capital investment, and possibly charge more at the gate.

Those findings highlight recommendations in a draft report of the Joint Legislative Study Commission on Parks. The recommendations will go to public hearings beginning next Friday.

Hearings are planned Sept. 6 in Concord at the State House, Sept. 13 in Hampton at Ashworth-by-the-Sea, and Sept. 19 at the North Country Resource Center, 629 Main St., Lancaster. All hearings are set for 5 p.m.

The report will be finalized after a 30-day comment period and sent to the governor in November.

The report was developed by a committee of 17 legislators and statewide stakeholders ??-- from conservation to recreation and historic groups -- over the past nine months.

The report states the value of the 72 parks and historic sites is not being maximized because of a lack of funding, and the practice of self-funding "cannot sustain the system in the future as a sole source of revenue for operations and maintenance." The report notes the state has not made a capital investment in the parks in 40 years, and has relied primarily on gate receipts to fund it.

The report recommends:

    * A "full evaluation" of facilities, profits and losses and usage of each park with consideration of "leasing and privatization of certain operations" to increase revenue. It notes that other states are moving in a trend toward privatizing some operations.

    * The Legislature should approve two $10 million bonds over two bienniums for a total of $20 million, the first $10 million of which should be spent on improvements to Hampton Beach State Park. The subsequent $10 million would be spent on projects identified by a series of studies of priorities of capital needs and a long-term strategic plan.

    * Historic sites are a "severe drain" that jeopardize the self-funded nature of the parks and should be separated out with money to support them coming from the state's general fund and future fundraising. It recommends a bureau of historic sites be created and that the state encourage fundraising and development of new sources of revenue to support their operations.

    * A statewide advisory council should be created to extend the work of the committee.

    * A long-term strategic plan should be established.

    * Fees should be restructured for the "flagship" parks (Hampton Beach, Franconia Notch, Bear Brook, Greenfield, White Lake and Pawtuckaway) to maximize revenue including consideration of sales of long-term parking passes, similar to those used to access White Mountain National Forest lands.

      The commission, chaired by Sen. Robert O'Dell, R-Lempster, met with officials at the parks department and worked with a number of groups to collect data about the parks and their operations.

      Members of the commission include Sens. John Gallus, R-Berlin, Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, Reps. David Campbell, D-Nashua, Mike O'Neil, R-Hampton, Pam Price, R-Nashua, David Russell, R-Gilmanton, and Commissioner of Resources and Economic Development George Bald, Allison McLean, parks director, Susan Arnold of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Possy Bass of the Peterborough Planning Board, Nancy Kilbride of the NH Travel Council, John Merkle of the NH Preservation Alliance, Dick Ober of the Monadnock Conservancy, Gail Hanson of the NH Snowmobile Association and former Sen. Rick Russman.

      A copy of the report is available at nhstateparks.org.

[cathleeninnh]

For hearings on this kind of stuff, we need badges that say "Privatize Not Subsidize"

Cathleen