ASSATEAGUE -- With the arrival of another summer season, visitors will flock to Assateague Island National Seashore in the coming weeks and months, but federal budget cuts caused by sequestration could impact the overall experience for visitors to the barrier island.
The Natural Resources Committee’s leading Democrats last week released a rather ominous report on the impact of sequestration on the nation’s vast national parks system, including a large section on an estimated $236,000 in federal budget cuts to Assateague Island National Seashore. The report was prepared by Natural Resources Committee leading Democrat Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), who interviewed national park managers around the country to get an overview of the damage caused by sequestration on a case-by-case basis including Assateague.
According to the study, Assateague, which attracted 2.15 million visitors last year, has had to cut $236,000 from a budget of $5.3 million this year because of sequestration. To meet the target, the park is delaying the replacement of aging or inoperable equipment, is not replacing aging law enforcement vehicles on schedule and is delaying needed engine repairs to a shallow water patrol boat used in search and rescue operations.
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Yeah, well the NPS doesn't need such a large budget. The only thing they do is encroach on our rights.
ReplyDeletethere's an easy solution. Retired, unemployed? Volunteer! Be part of the solution.
ReplyDeleteThis is politics. I've also heard pieces about this on cable news. Ask yourself why the National Park Service would be one of the first things to be cut if/when Sequestration took effect...it's because the Administration wants the taxpayers to feel the pain. Remember when Clinton shut down the museums in D.C.?
ReplyDelete