Budget leaves out park projects
BOISE – Gov. Butch Otter is declining to fund the final pieces of former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s “Experience Idaho” park improvement program – though park advocates say the projects will stall unless the state takes the next steps.
Legislative budget writers heard Wednesday that a $6.5 million request from the state Parks Department to implement three of the “Experience Idaho” projects wasn’t recommended for any funding in Otter’s proposed budget for next year.
“There are myriad requests and a fine amount of resources,” said Otter’s press secretary, Jon Hanian. “It didn’t make the cut.”
The three projects are:
“ $1 million to move forward with plans for Eagle Island State Park, west of Boise.
“ Up to $4 million to purchase the Rising River site for a new eastern Idaho state park on the Snake River.
“ $1.5 million to continue renovating historic buildings at Heyburn State Park near Plummer.
Heyburn State Park includes buildings on the National Historic Register, parks Director Bob Meinen told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
He showed the panel a flashy video about plans for the Eagle Island park, which would have lakes, kayaker camping, a covered outdoor ice rink, an amphitheater and more. Much of the Eagle Island plan is to be financed with proceeds from gravel extraction in the course of construction. But Meinen told legislative budget writers that it would be “foolish and inappropriate if we just started gravel extraction without a plan for what is the outcome.” The $1 million request is for that planning, he said.
Committee members noted that some unspent funds from this year’s budget may be available for that purpose. But Eagle Mayor Nancy Merrill said for the Eagle Island project to proceed, the biggest need is a $3 million bridge, which will allow the heavy equipment to move in and out of the park and also keep it operating and open during construction.
“That is essential and necessary for us to begin this project,” Merrill told the committee.
The state’s budget does have some one-time surplus money available next year, noted Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert. “I know the gentleman on the second floor had some other priorities” for that money, he said, referring to the governor.
The new eastern Idaho state park, approved last year, has proceeded through selection of the site, and Meinen said there’s a willing seller and an appraised price of $2.9 million, but without a budget appropriation it’s “in limbo.”
“Is the land secure so that it will be held until we do have the money in the budget?” asked Sen. Mel Richardson, R-Idaho Falls.
The answer was no. Meinen said the state could put money down, but “unless there’s some expression of interest, I’m not sure it’s a good investment to put money down.” He said, “We need guidance” from both the Legislature and the governor. He told the committee, “It’s there, it’s available, we know what the price is – it’s back in your lap.”
Cameron told Meinen, “We’ll do our best.”
About 20 percent of Idaho’s parks budget typically is funded by the state general fund. Another 70 percent is from fees and 10 percent from federal grants. Last year was an exception, as the state pumped $11.5 million into park projects, including a maintenance backlog and park upgrades across the state. The $26.5 million “Experience Idaho” program also called for spending $15 million in gravel mining proceeds on Eagle Island State Park.
Otter’s budget proposal for parks next year is for $12.7 million in state general funds and $37 million total, compared to the agency’s original request for $22 million in general funds and $47 million total.