According to a press release sent by Congressman Maurice Hinchey's office today, Gov. Paterson can't possibly close 41 state parks, because federal law doesn't allow it.
[T]he head of the National Park Service (NPS) told the congressman this week that the state cannot move forward with such a plan for parks that receive federal funding. The clarification from NPS Director Jon Jarvis, which came in response to a question from Hinchey during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior hearing, lays the groundwork for a dramatic reversal of the governor's plans since most of those parks in New York receive federal funding and must remain open to the public.
Most of the parks on the Governor's list of doom have gotten federal funds through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, the release states.
This seems a fairly basic oversight on Paterson's part, if he's serious about closing the parks. On the other hand, it's possible that the threat to close dozens of state parks and historical sites is essentially budget theatre, a territorial display designed to strike fear into the hearts of the legislature.
In other Hinchey park news, the Congressman has gotten his bill to study adding the Hudson Valley to the National Park system through the House. Now, on to the Senate.
