We Don't Need No Stinking State Parks - Governor Butch Otter's New Policy?

I’ll make this short and sweet.  Our beloved governor has proposed eliminating funding for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

His projected solution to our economic situation is to cut the state budget in 2010. This includes merging the IDPR into the Department of Lands. We have no way of knowing what type of impact this will have on existing state parks, but there is a possibility this action will result in the loss of Harriman State Park.

If you give a damn about one of Idaho’s most pristine fly fishing resources and your future access to it, I would highly encourage you to contact every angler you know and provide as much ‘constructive’ feedback as possible to the honorable C.L. “Butch” Otter.

Left or right, conservative or liberal, republican, democrat, independent, or otherwise – the Henry’s Fork needs you. Please do what you can to make your voice count.

From the Island Park News:

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) will hold a public hearing on Otter’s proposal at 8 a.m. Monday, February 1. The first 45 minutes will be devoted to recommendations of the Interim Committee on Alternative Funding for Parks and Recreation and a review of the current funding sources. The next hour will be for testimony from the state Department of Parks and Recreation. After a 15 minute break, the committee will hear from the Department of Lands.

If you would like to read more on the issue, please reference the following links.

http://www.islandparknews.com/atf.php?sid=7677&current_edition=2010-01-14
http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/1040842.html
http://tinyurl.com/y968bb8

There is currently a petition circulating to express support for the future of Idaho State Parks.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-idaho-parks

If you feel like dropping Butch Otter an email, do it here.

http://www.gov.idaho.gov/WebRespond/contact_form.html