FL: One-third of state parks put on potential closing list after Gov. Scott calls for budget cuts

[babylonsister]

One-third of state parks put on potential closing list after Gov. Scott calls for budget cuts


A white ibis lunches on a South Florida swamp snake in the Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie. The non-venomous water snake is common in the area. (Paul J. Milette/The Palm Beach Post / January 1, 2007)


By Ana M. Valdes, Palm Beach Post

11:14 a.m. EST, February 5, 2011


Fifty-three state parks, including three in Martin and St. Lucie counties, could be closed in response to Gov. Rick Scott's call for budget cuts.

The Department of Environmental Protection's list of proposed closings includes St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park in Stuart, Savannas Preserve State Park in Jensen Beach and the smaller Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park in Stuart.

To help the state deal with a potential $3.2 billion shortfall, Scott asked all departments to come up with proposals to reduce their budgets by 15 percent. Closing these parks, about a third of Florida's total of 160, would save the state about $6.5 million a year, officials say.

"The 53 parks were chosen based on their visitation numbers during fiscal year 2009-2010," DEP spokeswoman Kristin Lock said. "They reflect the parks with the lowest visitation that do not offer camping or other overnight accommodations."

more...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/state/sfl-state-parks-closing-threat-20110205,0,7599907.story

At Tea Party Event, Gov. Scott Unveils Budget That Raids Low-Income Health Services To Cut Corporate Taxes
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/07/scott-budget-event/

[Joanne98]

1. They'll try to sell them next.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. You know it.

[Dappleganger]

2. Next on his agenda: selling unused park land to developers.

[mike_c]

3. sue them....

The state manages the parks, but if they're owned in trust for the public, the state likely doesn't have the right to prohibit access, i.e. to close them. I'd just bring a universal key whenever I wanted to visit one of my state parks, i.e. a honkin' big pair of bolt cutters.

[babylonsister]

4. am/pm kick for the hell of it. nt

[Bigmack]

5. Parks are socialist....

They are owned by the state for the use of the people... therefore... they are socialist.

Gotta stop that socialism, ya know.

Florida is waaaaay ahead of most states in both knotheads and crooked politicians, but I think Florida is gonna lead both the lists after Scott is done.

[Hannah Bell]

7. sickening.

[mcar]

8. The one good thing that Florida's done is its state parks

Including the very small one up the street from my house. This is sickening.