Message from MN Parks & Recreation

[TrailPatrol]

To answer John's question, no. The funds from the state park pass go directly the State Parks division of the DNR, and are designated for "infrastructure improvement" within the state park system. Trails and Waterways is a different division.

In reply to Don's post, this thing is only going to be paved if there is somebody pushing to pave it. It may not even be DNR funds. Trails division gets huge donations from the snowmobile/ATV sector. If it is being funded out of "budget" money, yes, that would seem to run counter to the state's current budget problems. But if it is being funded with "designated funds" we need to find out the source of the funding (whoever is doing the pushing) and try to sway their opinion.

One other thought: The governor-elect is looking for ways to trim the budget. We should take the onus, and point out to his office that this is a few million bucks that is not crucial to state operations, is prone to being washed down the Minnesota River if it is done, which would require additional funding for repairs, and is, at least, controversial if not questionable spending. But first things, first. Is it a budget item or a designated funding item? Lets see what we can find out.

Ski safe,
Hans

[SickBoy]

Don,

Just to be devil's advocate here, being a cyclist I think you immediately paint yourself into a corner as far as what your opinion about the desired use of the Riverbottoms trail is. I don't think, without surveying current trail users plus a wide survey of area residents (who could be potential users of a paved trail but do not use the current trail because of its condition), that one could definitively say that "virtually all users" want to keep the trail the way it is.

You do have completely logical points, though. With as much flooding as that area sees, such a trail would require massive amounts of maintenance (when compared with the maintenance costs of other paved recreational trails). Plus the DNR's aforementioned budget cuts makes such an expenditure completely illogical. It just so happens in this situation that the logic works to our benefit...

--andy

Originally posted by Don Youngdahl
It's ironic that DNR Parks and Recreation is begging for taxpayer support for funding during the present fiscal crisis at the same they want to pave over the Minnesota River Trail. Yes, that's right, Parks and Recreation is the responsible DNR department for the Minnesota Valley Recreation Area Plan, which currently includes the ill-considered DNR position that the Minnesota River Trail be paved.

Think of the initial cost, environmental impact, and ongoing maintenance cost of a paved trail, compared with the present natural surface trail, maintained by volunteers at no cost to the taxpayers.

If you contact your elected representatives to support stable funding for the DNR (a good idea), also ask them to inquire why the DNR wants to spend a lot of money to pave this trail, when virtually all of the users want to keep the existing natural surface.

Don Youngdahl

[Don Youngdahl]

It's ironic that DNR Parks and Recreation is begging for taxpayer support for funding during the present fiscal crisis at the same they want to pave over the Minnesota River Trail. Yes, that's right, Parks and Recreation is the responsible DNR department for the Minnesota Valley Recreation Area Plan, which currently includes the ill-considered DNR position that the Minnesota River Trail be paved.

Think of the initial cost, environmental impact, and ongoing maintenance cost of a paved trail, compared with the present natural surface trail, maintained by volunteers at no cost to the taxpayers.

If you contact your elected representatives to support stable funding for the DNR (a good idea), also ask them to inquire why the DNR wants to spend a lot of money to pave this trail, when virtually all of the users want to keep the existing natural surface.

Don Youngdahl

[gopherhockey]

I'm pretty sure that each pass that is purchased would help their cause. I'm not real sure what the answer is. Seems like almost everyone is feeling a financial crisis in one way or another... and I suppose donations and things like our park services start to feel it early. Sad!

[Vertigomotion]

Does purchasing a State Park Annual Pass help?

[gopherhockey]

As a valued customer, I want to let you know about Minnesota State Parks
current budget deficit and what that might mean for you and your plans to
visit or stay in state parks. We are facing a deficit of more than $2.6
million from where we were in FY01. As a result, all areas of park
operations and visitor services will feel the impacts.

Currently, 24 state parks will not have any camping or lodging until
Memorial Day weekend, 2003. In addition, 24 seasonal naturalist and intern
positions were eliminated this year, which has meant fewer environmental
education programs for visitors and school children. The natural resources
in state parks will receive less attention as a result of the cuts and
fewer trails will be groomed or maintained this winter and next spring.

Recently, the Department of Finance estimated that the state deficit would
climb to $3 billion. If this estimate becomes a reality and the state
budget is balanced entirely through spending cuts, Minnesota State Parks
may need to cut its budget by an additional $9.77 million in FY04. This
anticipated reduction will represent almost 1/3 of Minnesota State Parks
budget and will mean even deeper cuts in all services. If this happens,
only 12 state parks would be able to offer camping and lodging starting
July 1, 2003. That means 54 state parks would not have the funding
available to offer any camping or lodging.

I have had the privilege of working as the director of Minnesota State
Parks for 15 years and during that time have tried to squeeze the most out
of shrinking budgets in order to keep park services available to you, our
customer. What we are facing now, however, is a major budget crisis.
Cutting the budget by $9.77 million will eliminate the equivalent of 145
full-time positions - from grounds workers to park managers - and that
means reduced services for our 8.1 million visitors. We will not have
adequate funds to care for the natural and cultural treasures in the 72
state parks and recreation areas. Facilities - visitor centers,
campgrounds, showers and bathrooms - across the state will not be open.

Approximately $2.65 million of state parks' budget is derived from the
Minnesota State Lottery "lottery-in-lieu" funds. These funds have only
recently been going to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
rather than the state's general fund. Your newly elected legislators will
be a part of the decision-making process during this next session to decide
if this appropriation will not only continue, but also become a permanent
part of state park funding. This action will help to relieve our short-term
budget dilemmas and go a long way to restore services in Minnesota State
Parks. What we really need to consider, however, is a long-term solution.

The Minnesota DNR has joined with other state natural resource and
environmental agencies to support the need for long-term stable funding if
the state is to maintain its outdoor heritage and quality of life. Dubbed
"Half Cent for Nature," the proposal calls for dedicating half a cent of
the sales tax to take care of Minnesota's natural environment. These funds
would replace the money currently received from the state's general fund
and provide a more stable funding source. This proposal would require a
constitutional amendment that would go on the ballot in 2004 and would take
affect in 2006.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the status of state park
services and future funding, call the DNR Information Center at
1-888-MINNDNR (toll free), the state park information line at 651-296-9223,
your elected officials, or send us an e-mail at info@dnr.state.mn.us Your
voice can make a difference in keeping state park facilities open and
caring for the natural and cultural resource treasures in your state parks.
Let your local officials know how much Minnesota State Parks mean to you.

Sincerely,



Bill Morrissey
Director
Division of Parks and Recreation
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources