SULPHUR, OK- Effective March 1, 2013, "sequestration" (a series of automatic, across-the-board permanent spending cuts) required Chickasaw National Recreation Area to reduce its annual budget by five percent.The park must absorb that cut in the remaining seven months of this fiscal year that ends September 30.The federal law imposing sequestration requires that each park take this cut.
For Chickasaw National Recreation Area, this amounts to a reduction of $189,220from a budget of $3,784,403. The park cuttravel, training, overtime and supply purchases and reduced the number of seasonal employeepositions to meet the required spending reduction.
While taking the actions necessary to comply with sequestration, the park remains open, welcoming visitors and continuing to protect the resources entrusted to National Park Service care.
Following are some of the major actions being taken to implement the cut:
Staffing (Note: approximately 90% of the park's budget pays for salaries and fixed costs like utilities):
· Unfilled Seasonal Positions: 3
Park Operations: Reduced staffing will reduce park operations in the following ways:
· Visitor Services:
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Guy Sandy Campground will remain closed this summer
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The upper loop of Rock Creek Campground will remain closed this summer
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Starting May 7, 2013, the Travertine Nature Center will close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
· Maintenance:
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Routine maintenance will occur less frequently in the park this summer including less mowing, fewer trash pickups, less trail work, less frequent facility cleaning, and less recycling.
Park Superintendent Bruce Noble commented, "The employees of Chickasaw National Recreation Area pride themselves on the exemplary level of service we provide to park visitors.While we would prefer to avoid these necessary reductions, we will strive to continue to provide the type of quality park experience that the public has come to expect of us."
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
