DNR: Budget cuts would affect camping

Camping would close in most parks unless

more money found

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Unless funding strategies are found to avoid reductions due to the shortfall in Minnesota's tax revenue, camping at 54 Minnesota State Parks would be eliminated next year, according to Department of Natural Resources officials.

Camping will be allowed only at the 12 largest state parks in Minnesota, according to cuts listed at a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources information briefing at the New Ulm National Guard Armory Monday night. The meeting centered on mitigation strategies for prospective fiscal year 2004-2005 budget reductions.

Funding for campground maintenance including mowing grass and garbage pickup would go away. The camping facility reduction is expected to create a significant income loss to communities near state parks.

Many other DNR programs would have serious impacts in business and state revenues.

The DNR is developing options due to a permanent reduction of about $5.4 million in fiscal year 2003 that was mandated in the last budget-balancing bill.

The DNR and other state agencies are facing a multi-tiered erosion of base services that include a 10 percent reduction planning scenario. The DNR cuts amount to $30 million each year of the 2004-2005 biennium.

The Minnesota Department of Finance requested the reduction to address state revenue shortfalls and examine reduced spending options.

"This is a large public discussion that will affect many people," DNR Deputy Commissioner Steve Morrissey said. "We'll be providing alternatives for the new governor and his administration. The last legislative session created only a quick fix to balance the budget. Now permanent cuts have to be made."

The DNR's elimination list:

* The Conservation Biology Grants Program that provides $30,000 per year in student research grants.

* Response to nuisance animal complaints and Wildlife Division assistance on survey and census projects.

* Volunteer programs that involve coordination of gun and snowmobile safety training.

* Expansion of kid's fishing ponds in the Metro area.

* Naturalist programs at 10 parks and nature centers.

* Community Technical Assistance Grants.

* Detailed and up-to-date lake contour maps that help guide lake management decisions and angler enjoyment.

Morrissey said the cuts will greatly affect all DNR programs, slowing down service and response times.

The reduction list is also long:

* Opportunities to collaborate with conservation organizations like Soil and Watershed Districts and the NRCS on cooperative resource management initiatives.

* Planning assistance will be reduced by 50 percent.

* Average patrol area per officer will increase to about 900 square miles, with some more than 2,000 square miles.

* Reduced enforcement presence to detect violations by resource users (already estimated at 20 percent among anglers).

* Less up-to-date fisheries information for anglers and limited use of special regulations to improve fishing.

* Less stocking of trout, muskie and catfish.

* Fewer safety classes will be taught at fewer sites.

* A reduction of 110,000 cords per year in the amount of timber offered for sale from DNR lands. This is expected to hurt the state's forest industries and loggers by restricting supply and increasing timber prices. The state could lose more than $3.4 million in revenue.

* Closing half of the state forest road system will reduce access to state lands for hunters, loggers, forest managers and others.

* The elimination of new leases will restrict the sand and gravel supply in parts of the state and limit the ability of users to cross state lands.

The DNR plans to ask the 2003 Legislature that Lottery money in-lieu of sales tax be made available, that the DNR's 10 percent target cuts be reconsidered, that fees that have not kept pace with inflation be increased and future fees be indexed to inflation.

Scott Sparlin of New Ulm and the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River suggested the DNR ask for more funding from the Minnesota Lottery.

"We were sold a bill of goods by the Lottery," Sparlin said. "The amount of conservation funding from the lottery has been shrinking for 20 years."

The DNR will host public meetings in Grand Rapids Wednesday, Bemidji Thursday and St. Paul Sept. 30. The legislative session begins Jan. 7.