Longer hours at visitor centers, more staffers and training for volunteers could be in the works for Olympic National Park if a proposed $12.61 million budget for the 2008 fiscal year is approved.
“I’m very excited by the possibility of an increased budget for park operations,” said Park Superintendent Bill Laitner in an e-mail to the Peninsula Daily News.
New funds could restore some of the losses of recent years.
Because of a $6 million shortfall in operating funds in 2004, the park cut seasonal employees from 130 employees in 2003 to 25.
That year, finances were so tight that the park considered closing the visitors center in Forks.
An increase in the 2005 budget made that unnecessary.
President Bush’s proposed budget includes a boost of $1.52 million over the present budget.
The proposal must be approved by Congress and would not go into effect until September 2008.
The park is now operating with a budget of about $10.95 million, essentially the same budget as 2006 since a proposed budget of $11.1 million for fiscal year 2007 was not adopted.
According to a spokesman from Rep. Norm Dicks’ office, the 2007 budget is not likely to be voted on this year.
“They have decided to focus on the 2008 budget, so unfortunately for us that means that the park will be operating under the lower 2006 numbers,” said George Vehan, a staff member for the Belfair Democrat.
