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State Parks' 2021 Legislative Priorities - Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (2021-01-20)

Summary

A legislative priorities sheet from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, dated 1/11/21. It states that State Parks expects more than 43 million visitors in FY 23 and asks the Legislature to support the Governor's budget proposals. It cites a study named Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation (2015) that found state park visits generated $1.5 billion in annual spending, $64 million in state tax revenue and 14,000 jobs. The operating budget request lists preventive maintenance for 22 FTE and $6.9 million and visitor services for 61 FTEs and $10.5 million. The Governor's 21-23 capital budget provides $104 million in new capital project funding, including $12 million in shovel ready paving and comfort station projects.

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“State Parks' 2021 Legislative Priorities - Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (2021-01-20).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2021-01-20-a28305-d224858-washington-state-parks-and-recreation-commis-020c7d0473/, SHA-256 8d85fe304f4912e1588ba457c808a70fe8780b124c0f16a8edf5bbe320120816.

Full text

                 STATE PARKS'
   2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
                          Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission




                                                                                    Large crowd at Lake Chelan State Park, summer 2020


We learned this past year how fundamentally important our state parks are to the public's health and
wellbeing. During the COVID pandemic, the people of Washington sought and found refuge in our state's
public lands. As a result, we saw record attendance in many parks across our state.


Keeping parks open and safe
With more and more people visiting
parks, our system has experienced
increased wear and tear on our
facilities and natural resources. We
anticipate increased attendance will
continue in the coming years. In fact,
we expect more than 43 million visitors
in FY 23, more than any other state or
federal recreational land agency.
In order to keep our public lands open, safe and well cared for, we need more investment of tax support
in the park system. This includes funding to support additional staffing at the parks to support ongoing
maintenance and services to visitors.

Economic contributions
State Parks is an economic driver for the state and a major contributor to tourism. The spending associated
with recreational experiences and activities at state parks has contributed to the state's economy since the
park system's founding in 1913.

In a 2015 the Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation study found visits to state parks generated:·
    $1.5 billion in annual spending related to state park visits
    $64 million in state tax revenue directly to the State General Fund
    14,000 jobs



                                                                                                                          1/11/21
Governor and legislative support
We ask the Legislature to support Gov. Inlsee's
budget proposals for State Parks. It's not only a
smart investment in our economy, but important
to the lives of the people of Washington.

Essential components of the Commission's
operating budget request:
   Preventive maintenance request for 22 FTE
   and $6.9 million
   Visitor services request for 61 FTEs and $10.5
   million
   Provide $4 million in one-time General Fund
   support to rebuild the fund balance of the parks Renewal and Stewardship Account after COVID related
   park closures
   Increase the No Child Left Inside grant program from $1.5 million to $2 million
                                                                                   Conconully State Park
Operating budget request also includes funding for:
   An agency Diversity, Equity and Inclusion coordinator
   Work to update our Seashore Conservation area survey and related plans
   Safety protocols for ongoing cleaning and sanitation measures

Governor's 21-23 Capital budget
  Provides $104 million in new capital project funding which will improve the facility condition index and
  provide necessary capacity for park visitors
  Funding includes $12 million in “shovel ready” paving and comfort station projects to improve park
  properties and stimulate local economies across the state
  The budget accelerates funding for the first new full-service park in over 2 decades. The Nisqually State
  Park is being designed and constructed in cooperation with the Nisqually Indian Tribe.

Park's Funding Model
State Parks relies heavily on earned revenue from overnight accommodations and day-use permits like the
Discover Pass. Less than a quarter of Parks' operating budget comes from the state General Fund.




       Contact
       Owen Rowe, Policy and Governmental Affairs Director
       360-701-5326 |owen.rowe@parks.wa.gov

                                                                                                       1/11/21

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