Acting DCNR Secretary Pledges to Keep State Parks Open

Senator White: "Public areas should not be closed during budget impasses"

Under questioning from state Senator Don White (R-41), Acting Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley today pledged to keep Pennsylvania's 117 state parks open this summer.

Senator White secured the commitment during a public hearing held by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Quigley's nomination to serve as DCNR Secretary.

"I am pleased to receive assurance that Pennsylvania's state parks will be kept open this summer. These parks belong to the citizens of the Commonwealth and should not be used as bargaining chips in budget negotiations," Senator White said. "Neither our parks nor the individuals and groups that enjoy them should ever be used as pawns to promote a political agenda."

Last year, Acting Secretary Quigley unveiled a list of 50 state parks that could be closed as a result of a budget impasse. Today, the Acting Secretary stated that resources are available to keep all 117 parks open, even though the DCNR has seen its funding reduced in recent budgets.

The discussion between Senator White and Acting Secretary Quigley featured the following exchange:

Senator White: "Considering that the latest budget that was passed in March by the (House) Democrats – the Governor's budget -- which actually gives less to state parks , you have not made any remarks that this is 'devastating,' so can you commit to me today that our state parks are going to remain open this summer?"

Acting Secretary Quigley: "The simple answer is yes. The Governor's proposed budget provides sufficient resources to keep 117 state parks open and that is because of two factors. One, a $1.7 million transfer from the oil and gas fund and secondly the tremendous amount of costs saving and rationalization work that we have done within DCNR: the shrinking of services, the shortening of seasons, the reduction in services. For example, our environmental education program has been cut 25 percent this year. So there is a significantly reduced level of services across the board in our state parks, but we don't think that reduction has compromised the overall integrity of the system. I would be very nervous of it going below this level, quite frankly. But I think we still provide a high quality experience. We are still worthy of that gold medal award and the resources that were proposed in the Governor's budget will keep 117 parks open."

Senator White: "That's what I wanted to hear."

The commitment by Acting Secretary Quigley should also be reassuring to the many groups that hold leases to use state park facilities for their programs, Senator White said.

"A number of youth organizations such as the scouts and the State Police Camp Cadet program hold leases with the DCNR to use state park facilities for special programs. Those groups were extremely concerned that the Administration would follow through on its threats last year, which would have jeopardized those programs," Senator White said.

In response to the threatened closures of the parks last year, Senator White introduced Senate Bill 974 --legislation to ensure the Commonwealth honors leases allowing groups to use state park facilities during impasses over the state budget. The Senate unanimously approved the bill on Sept. 9, 2009 and it is now before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724