Budget cuts could close 13 state parks, sites

Up to 13 state parks and historic sites could close or curtail their hours under budget cuts proposed by the Department of Natural Resources.

DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb would not name the spots.

Like every other state agency, the DNR identified cuts of 6 percent, 8 percent and 10 percent to help close the state’s budget gap of at least $1.6 billion. In the worst scenario, more than 200 of the department’s 3,000 employees will be affected through layoffs, shuffling jobs to different locations or outsourcing, spokeswoman Beth Brown said.

Most reductions can be made without impacting the public, Holcomb said. He already has curtailed travel, and the department will not buy new cars or trucks any time soon. Other cuts will be noticed.

In addition to shuttering some parks and historic sites, DNR will withdraw its workers from all federally owned wildlife management areas in North Georgia, including those in the Chattahoochee and Oconee national forests. Hunters still will have access.

Next summer, no swimming pools in state parks will open. The newly built Suwanee River Eco-Lodge in South Georgia won’t open — at least for now. The energy-efficient lodge is a source of pride for the state park system.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will not start any new cleanups at hazardous waste sites or expand a recycling program, said director Carol Couch. The statewide water plan, just launched this year, will not be affected.

In all, Holcomb and Couch identified cuts ranging from $7 million to $11.6 million out of their $116 million budget. The Board of Natural Resources votes on the recommendations Wednesday. DNR will begin implementing the reductions by November.

Budget cuts also claimed the governor’s land conservation program and the state’s planned cash infusion to build new reservoirs to drought-proof North Georgia.

In a memo sent to local governments on Thursday, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority Executive Director Chris Clark said the state will not distribute the $10 million for land conservation or $40 million for new and expanded reservoirs.

As of Thursday, 13 local governments had applied for the water money, including Fayette County, which wants to build a $23.3 million reservoir, and the city of Lawrenceville, which wants to spend $8 million on wells and pump stations. Local governments still can apply for low-interest loans.

For land conservation, the state has $4.5 million available in grants left from last year’s budget, Georgia Land Conservation Program director Curt Soper said. And local governments and others can apply for low-interest loans to buy land or purchase conservation easements.