Press Release: Valley Delegation Calls on Governor, ''We Funded These Parks

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Ron Irwin, Press Secretary
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Anchorage, AK 99501-2133
Phone: (907) 269-0257
Fax: (907) 269-0255
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Released:	June 13, 2002
Contact:	Ron Irwin, Senate Majority Press Secretary, at (907) 269-0257

(Wasilla) - State lawmakers representing the Matanuska-Susitna Borough will be joining with area residents Friday, June 14, 2002 at 10 a.m. at a press conference to call on the governor to open the nine Mat-Su parks the Knowles/Ulmer administration closed earlier this month, even before the new fiscal year began.

The Legislature late last month passed a budget that appropriated sufficient funds to the division of parks to fully-operate all state parks in Alaska.

"These parks have been closed because the administration chose to close these parks," said Sen. Lyda Green (R-Mat-Su) who sits on the Senate Finance Committee. "Money was appropriated to provide adequate funding for all state parks."

Now Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Pat Pourchot is going to spend $225, 000 to close nine parks in the Mat-Su; this is $39,000 more than they are claiming we cut from their budget:

IT WILL COST MORE TO CLOSE THE PARK THAN TO OPEN THEM, FURTHERMORE THIS IS ALL BEING DONE BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ANY REDUCTION, WE ARE STILL IN THE FY 02 BUDGET CYCLE. FOR THESE AND OTHER REASONS WE WILL BE CALLING ON THE KNOWLES/ULMER ADMINISTRATION TO OPEN THESE PARKS NOW!

Lawmakers are inviting the media and the public to attend the Friday, June 14, 2002 press conference in front of the locked gate at the Big Lake South Park and boat launch in Big Lake at 10 a.m.

# # #

Directions to Big Lake Park South from Anchorage:

Glenn Highway East - To the Parks Highway junction.
Parks High North - 10 miles North of Wasilla To South Big Lake Rd
Just past first Fireworks stand.
Turn left heading west.
Follow road around past airport to park entrance on Right

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