From left

From left

State parks operations, campers’ vacation plans imperiled by impasse over state budget

SEQUIM — If a state budget is not finalized by June 30, state parks will close to the public beginning July 1 — forcing campers with Fourth of July plans to head elsewhere.

“If a budget is not signed, on June 30 campers will be told to leave the parks, and the gates will be locked,” said Terri McQuillen, senior park aide at Sequim Bay State Park west of the city.

“The Fourth of July vacation season starts July 1 [just] as reservations [would be] cancelled, and visitors forced to stay home or find other places to go.”

And park employees — along with more than 26,000 state workers — would be furloughed if a budget isn’t signed into law by midnight June 30.

Nick Brown, general counsel for the governor, said that dozens of agencies and other offices will either completely close or partially close under a government shutdown.

State parks would be completely shut down.

“We love our jobs,” McQuillen said. “State Parks are crown jewels in our state that provide healthy, family recreation. We get visitors from all over the world. We want to work and help people have memorable, fun vacations.”

The state has never had a government shutdown, but the Legislature has taken its budget talks to the brink before, including two years ago, when Gov. Jay Inslee signed a budget June 30.

Workers at agencies around the state — including those at Sequim Bay State Park — protested the situation Thursday, demanding that lawmakers get a deal done.

About eight people participated in such a rally at the entrance of Sequim Bay State Park, including park rangers from Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend and Riverside State Park near Spokane.

The local rally was organized by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

“We ask the public to call 1-800-562-6000 and tell state senators to compromise and agree to a budget before July 1,” McQuillen said. “Ask them to support our state parks and fund us.”

The rally also was intended to bring attention to several ongoing issues facing state parks, including a move during former Gov. Chris Gregoire’s administration to make them self-sustaining.

“The agency cannot be fully self-supporting,” McQuillen said. “The Discover Pass revenue and other fee-based activities . . . are not enough to keep our parks system healthy and sustainable.

“As it stands today, the parks system is in decline and struggling to meet its mission. Parks are receiving minimum services and threatened with closure annually.”

There is currently a $470 million parks maintenance backlog with no long-term solution, she noted.

________

Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More in News

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Poplars to be removed in spring

Boat Yard expansion part of larger project

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition launches pool survey

Results intended to inform design process

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few miles south of Port Angeles. While the Peninsula has seen temperatures below freezing this week, a warming trend is expected by this weekend with highs reaching the upper 40s and overnight lows in the 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter snowscape

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few… Continue reading

JoAnn declares bankruptcy; Port Angeles store to close

The Joann fabrics and crafts store in Port Angeles… Continue reading

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy