Utah parks feel pinch

This national park's base budget decreased by $6,000. The Interior Department says when year-to-year project money is considered, park funding increased by $346,000.

The Interior Department did not provide, in its written response to Deseret Morning News questions, any examples of cuts or enhancements to services there. The park superintendent did not return phone calls seeking an interview.

Interior Department data did show the park hired three fewer seasonal employees this year but 19 more permanent employees; however, it had three fewer law enforcement officers.

Hovenweep

• Base budget: $4,000 decrease

• Budget with project funding: $152,000 decrease

Hovenweep National Monument's base budget was cut by $4,000. The Interior Department said when year-to-year project money is also included, it had a bigger cut: $152,000.

However, new superintendent Corky Hays said visitor services are essentially unchanged. She said the park — and Natural Bridges National Monument, which she also supervises — may have received a small budget boost because the superintendent's position was vacant for more than half a year.

Interior Department data show the park hired one additional seasonal employee and one additional permanent employee.

Rainbow Bridge

• Base budget: $2,000 decrease

• Budget with project funding: $20,000 increase

This national monument's base budget was cut by $2,000. The Interior Department said that when year-to-year project money is included, its budget actually increased by $20,000.

The Interior Department did not provide, in its written response to Deseret Morning News questions, any examples of cuts or enhancements to services there. The park superintendent did not return phone calls seeking an interview.

Arches

• Base budget: $2,000 decrease

• Budget with project funding: $322,000 increase

Arches National Park's base budget was cut by $2,000 this year. But the Interior Department says that when year-to-year project money is included, its overall budget increased by $322,000.