Superintendent Laura Joss said, "There were no service cutbacks, but we did have to cut back on administrative support." That included cutting a seasonal support clerk back to minimum guaranteed hours. She said no visitor programs were expanded.

However, the park is in the process of rebuilding and expanding its visitors center, with work expected to be completed next August. Until then, the visitors center is housed in a temporary structure.

Cedar Breaks

• Base budget: $1,000 decrease

• Budget with project funding: $6,000 increase

This national monument's base budget was cut by $1,000, but the regional office gave it a midseason increase of $20,000 out of travel funds. Even before that increase, the Interior Department said if year-to-year project money were included, the park would have had a $6,000 increase.

Superintendent Paul Roelandt said the midseason money "allowed us to keep our heads above water, to be honest with you." He noted the park had not received an increase in its base budget for several years until then.

Without that money, "we would have been looking at letting a seasonal (employee) or two go earlier in the season." With the increase, the park was able to avoid any cuts in visitors center hours or in park programs.

However, the Interior Department noted that "the park has reduced its use of supplies, materials and equipment, as well as prep time and informal interpretation/roving time for visitor services staff."

Roelandt said his park turned to the Zion Natural History Association to help fund printing of some of its brochures, and it started printing in-house some trail guides and other information that it previously would have had professionally printed.

Roelandt said no visitor services were expanded or added but said the park received some money to increase its outreach to volunteer groups, which he said have become important to help with winter activities there such as snowmobiling.

Natural Bridges

• Base budget: Unchanged

• Budget with project funding: $56,000 increase

The national monument's base budget remained the same as last year. The Interior Department said if year-to-year project money were included, its overall budget had a $56,000 increase.