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Study reveals funding needs for Harpers Ferry
By the Associated Press
Published March 11, 2004
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. -- Budget shortages are forcing Harpers Ferry National Historic Park to delay maintenance on historic buildings and decline schools' requests for guided tours of the grounds, says a study of the park's finances released Thursday.
The park has an annual budget shortfall of $3.5 million and needs another $9.9 million for upgrades and maintenance, said the report prepared by the National Park Service and the advocacy group National Parks Conservation Association.
Harpers Ferry was picked last year to be part of a Business Plan Initiative to improve financial management and highlight funding needs. In the past six years, 60 national parks have been reviewed.
"The Business Team found that the park operates on 64 cents for every dollar needed to run the park," said park Superintendent Don Campbell. "These are tough times for parks."
Although his park appears to be in better condition than other national parks, Campbell said without increased funding, "the park may be threatened."
Staff is forced to decline three out of every four school group requests for ranger-led tours. Also, park officials often must seek emergency money to pay for maintenance and repair flood damage.
Campbell said the park has taken steps to control costs and increase revenue through fees, concessions and marketing.
There are 388 National Parks Service sites in the nation and the agency estimates it has between $4 billion and $6.8 billion in backlogged maintenance and repairs. President Bush's proposed budget for the federal fiscal year starting Oct. 1 seeks $1.1 billion to address the backlog. The administration also proposes to increase the overall park service's $1.3 billion budget by $30 million.
Harpers Ferry, located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is the site of a former federal armory that was captured by abolitionist John Brown and his followers in 1859. The area also is noted for its role in the Civil War.
It became part of the National Park System in 1944. The study said the park attracted 286,000 visitors in fiscal year 2002, a 35 percent drop since 1992.
Last month U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., announced he had succeeded in winning committee approval to provide money to expand the park from 2,505 acres to 3,745 acres.
The study said if Congress approves the expansion, additional money would be needed to manage the growth.
Even with the budget crunch, Byrd's efforts should be encouraged to ensure development doesn't destroy historic properties in the area, said Joy Oakes, mid-Atlantic regional director for the conservation association.
"The reason to create new national parks is the same reason to expand Harpers Ferry. The mission of Harpers Ferry can be met by acquiring these lands to help tell the story about Harpers Ferry," Oaks said. "The consequence of not buying key land next to your park can be seen in a number of examples."
The Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa., is an example of how commercial development abuts a historic site. Land where Union and Confederate generals plotted strategy is now covered by parking lots, businesses and houses, she said.
The Harpers Ferry business plan was developed by two graduate students last summer. The 42-page report is available at local libraries or by calling the park at (304) 535-6224.