Governor Jan Brewer has agreed to reestablish the Sustainable State Parks Task Force as recommened by former Governor Janet Napolitano. To read the March 18, 2009 press release, click here.
History of the effort below:
Governor Napolitano issues an Executive Order to establish the Sustainable State Parks Task Force on December 11, 2008. To read Executive Order 2008-28, click here.
Governor Napolitano agrees to appoint a Blue Ribbon Task Force to help State Parks. To read the full reply from the Governor to the Arizona State Parks Board request, click here.
Letter from the Arizona Heritage Alliance Board of Directors:
September 9, 2008
Dear Governor Napolitano:
The Arizona Heritage Alliance, a volunteer 501(C)(3) organization made up of citizens, other organizations, and business interests that support the Heritage Fund and its programs, have enjoyed your staunch support and defense of the Heritage Fund during your tenure as governor. We all agree that Arizona is a more enjoyable place to live due the successes the Heritage Fund has provided to Arizona State Parks and Arizona Game and Fish during the past 18 years. We are dismayed however, with the current financial condition and resulting deterioration of our State Park system and that is the reason for writing you today.
The funding mechanism for Arizona State Parks is broken and we need to implement immediate changes to ensure an adequate, dependable, and increasing funding stream for a robust and well maintained State Park system. Recently, the Arizona State Parks Board, the citizen commission overseers of the agency, recommended the formation of a Blue Ribbon Committee, “whose charge would be to determine the present and future needs of the State Park System and explore new revenue sources.” They also requested that you appoint such a committee before November 30, 2008 and report back to you before June 30, 2009 with recommendations for new funding strategies and a re-positioning of the agency to secure its future.
A new vision is needed to preserve the best of our natural treasures, one that includes open space, enhanced recreational opportunities, and protections for our water and air while planning the future. Arizona State Parks has a solid record of operating a statewide park system, funding local community historic preservation efforts, and providing assistance to counties, tribal communities, cities, and towns towards their own parks and recreation systems. Arizona State Parks is the “granting” agency that allows all citizens to enjoy a higher quality of life in all our communities. These are worthy goals for our State Parks system, goals that cannot be achieved by decimating that agency’s acquisition and operational funding.
The Arizona Heritage Alliance Board of Directors and its membership respectfully urge you to appoint this Blue Ribbon committee as soon as possible. This citizen/governmental committee will provide answers and options to the tough policy and financial questions that currently have our Arizona State Parks hamstrung and without many options for a healthy future.
We are willing to provide service to this effort in any method you might suggest. We all share with you the vision of balancing smart growth with natural and cultural resource protection. The Arizona State Park system, properly funded, is the proper agency to connect the various facets of this worthy vision.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Don Farmer, President, Arizona Heritage Alliance
Letter from the Arizona State Parks Foundation:
September 4, 2008
Dear Governor Napolitano:
I am writing to you as the president of the Arizona State Parks Foundation (ASPF), a not-for-profit organization that works in a variety of ways to help the State Parks Department meet its goals. My purpose in writing is to inform you that ASPF strongly supports the request from the Arizona State Parks Board that you appoint a blue ribbon committee to analyze the current and future needs of the park system and explore stable revenue sources to meet the goals of the park system.
You may be aware that during the recent budget crisis ASPF engaged in a very public campaign, including contacts with statewide news media and Arizona legislators, to try to minimize the damage to State Parks from fund sweeps and budget cuts. While we may have had some limited success, the experience convinced most of our board of directors that the parks system cannot meet the expectations of Arizona citizens while continuing to ride a financial roller coaster. In response, we recommended the action that the Parks Board has taken.
I know you are well aware that the parks system contains several of the state’s scenic treasures, historic sites that would crumble into oblivion without protection and some of the most popular recreation areas in the southwest. The parks generate far more economic benefit to Arizona communities than the cost of maintaining them. We are convinced that an expanded network of parks and open spaces, including county and municipal properties, is also an important social safety valve in a state that is already among the most urbanized in the country and growing more so.
For all of these reasons, ASPF seeks a long-range view of the role of State Parks and a reliable means of funding its mission. Toward that end, we fervently support your appointment of the blue ribbon committee requested by the Parks Board. ASPF stands ready to assist such a committee in its efforts in any way possible.
Sincerely,
Bill Meek, President, Arizona State Parks Foundation
Letter from the Arizona State Parks Board:
July 30, 2008
Dear Governor Napolitano:
We appreciate your continued leadership in protecting and enhancing Arizona’s natural and cultural resources. The Arizona State Parks Board met on July 18 and 19, 2008, to assess the impact of this year’s budget cuts and to prepare recommendations for you for FY 2010 and beyond. We recognize the dire financial circumstances surrounding this year’s budget and applaud your ability to find and maintain a balance between the variety of needs of our citizenry and our current capacity to respond.
We are a Board that is made up entirely of your appointees and are seeking ways to reverse the deterioration of the State Park’s infrastructure. We recognize that FY 2009’s budget will be just as challenging as this year’s budget.
On July 18, 2008, the Parks Board passed a Motion regarding operating budgets in FY 2009, FY 2010 and FY 2011. The Motion is consistent with the constraints suggested by your budget staff. As part of the Motion, we unanimously voted to seek your support in appointing a Blue Ribbon Committee whose charge would be to determine the present and future needs of the State Park System and explore new revenue sources. The Arizona State Parks Board requests that you appoint such a Committee by November 30, 2008, and ask them to report back to you with recommendations on or before June 30, 2009.
Our current State Parks System is in dramatic need of new resources. There has not been adequate investment in our infrastructure for more than a decade. Hence, key conservation opportunities need to be taken to allow Arizonans and Arizona’s visitors to experience and embrace the special areas of this great State of Arizona.
Arizona’s “lifestyle,” which is a major factor in our State’s growing economy, is dependant upon a good statewide parks and recreation system. State Parks has and should continue to provide assistance to local governments for their historical preservation and recreation programs.
We would hope that you would charge your task force to answer some key policy questions:
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What impact does Arizona State Parks’ recreation facilities have on the overall economic development of this State?
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What new methods of financing could the State utilize in order to provide for efficient and effective parks and recreation areas and facilities?
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Should there be a priority in the acquisition and development of water-based recreational resources?
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What changes need to be made in long range planning and coordination to ensure the most effective implementation of the statewide park and recreation policies and programs?
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Are there new creative intergovernmental resources for management and acquisition strategies?
Members of our Board are willing to serve on the task force or in any manner you suggest to help with this necessary exploration of new funding sources for the Arizona State Parks. We have instructed our Arizona State Parks staff that this is a top priority for their activities if you chose to appoint a Blue Ribbon Committee.
As your appointees, Governor, we share your vision of balancing smart growth with quality natural and cultural resource protection and enhancement. Arizona State Parks is a critical part of this and we are pledged to work with you to help you achieve a better Arizona.
Sincerely,
William C. Scalzo, President
Arlan Colton
Reese Woodling
Tracey Westerhausen
Larry Landry
William C. Cordasco
Mark Winkleman, State Land Commissioner
