Mike McFadzen's testimony to the Natural Resources Board

DECEMBER 8, 2004

NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

REMARKS BY MICHAEL MCFADZEN

CHAIRMAN, GOVERNOR’S STATE TRAILS COUNCIL

My remarks today will be directed towards the proposed DNR Budget cuts that effect State Parks and Trails.

I would like to laud Governor Doyle for asking his department chiefs to lop 10% off their budgets. After years of runaway spending, which is not his fault, strong action has to be taken to solve the structural deficit in our state.

Most of you understand the economic importance of trails. Together with state parks it’s an economic gorilla generating over $650 million annually. We must be careful when tinkering with this system.

Wisconsin trails do not receive any taxpayer funding and rely on income from trail fee pass for its operation. Our trail system is operated very lean and efficiently as compared with our neighboring states systems. When judged against the Minnesota trail system, they have double the staffing in a system that doesn’t have quite the mileage or visitors

There been a 44% increase in trail visits with approximately 1m visitors annually, which means increasing revenue. Its ironic that the DNR has recommended huge cuts in a growing viable program as compared to decreasing use programs such as hunting where there are no FTE cuts. 

Our trail system is a national leader and model for many reasons including the trails network plan, which is the blueprint for connectivity of trails to communities, natural features, parks and each other; as well as our partnering of state ownership with county operation of trails.

Taxpayer funding to the state park system has decreased in the last several years from 46% to approximately 30%. That is best of largest state parks systems in the country.  Wisconsin State Parks have slimmed its operations on an ongoing basis for nearly a decade.

The statistics on Wisconsin’s deteriorating health are staggering with one quarter of the population obese and increasing child onset diabetes in part due to lack of exercise. Trails can connect these kids to a healthy lifestyle, which can mean million of dollars in health care savings per child. The budgetary savings of cutting trails are insignificant compared to the increased health care costs if there is less access to trails and parks.

Finally the proposed DNR plan to try to partner off specific trails to municipalities or counties isn’t going to work.  Where it is viable its already been done. It works fine for trails like Elroy Sparta where there is incredibly strong support from the communities and natural features that people want to visit like the Mississippi. But is just isn’t going to happen with the vast majority of state trails. You may see alternative user groups vying for rights to specific trails that could displace traditional user groups.

The biggest loser could be tourism and the economy. Remember that we are playing with a $650 million economic gorilla. Without central leadership and clear and concise management we run the risk of fragmentation and not providing the experience that our visitors desire. Remember that Wisconsin Trails are a success story, at least until now.

Governor Doyle is a Parks and Trails supporter, and knows how they affect the economy. The Natural Resource’s Board should do the right thing and take the Parks and Trails cuts out of the budget. Don’t force  Governor Doyle to do it.