She noted that Cedar Breaks benefited from a midseason adjustment when the regional office took money from its travel budget to give the monument $20,000 to avoid otherwise likely service cuts.

Budget debates

Scarlett acknowledges that many park superintendents and concerned outside groups feel park budgets are too tight. She says it may be because they focus on what they do not yet have, rather than what they have gained. She says park budgets are adequate but could always improve.

For example, she says Bush committed to spend $4.9 billion to address maintenance needs — and the Park Service has more than 4,000 projects in 49 states completed, planned or under way. But such construction doesn't reach tight operating budgets. She said the park system has also added 500 new employees in four years.

"If you asked me what are all the things you'd like to do in your house, you could give me a great big long list," she said. "But management has to be prudent. And we think we are both prudent but at the same time meeting the needs of the parks."

She added, "We think our parks are currently able to achieve high levels of visitor services and visitor satisfaction. We think investments we have made — particularly in (addressing) the maintenance backlog — are making a big dent in long-neglected facilities."

She said surveys show 96 percent of park visitors are also satisfied with their experiences. "But we certainly do look forward to working with the parks on additional priorities."

Wade, however, says he and other former park superintendents disagree. "I don't think I've ever seen a park where people think they have enough money," he said. "Costs of business are increasing — utilities, fuel, supplies and materials. But budgets are not keeping up."

Monday: Service cuts at Utah's national parks

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com