The NH House and Senate must finalize the 2012-13 state budget by next Wednesday, June 15th. The Senate-passed budget includes an ill-conceived provision requiring the leasing of Cannon Mountain, an integral part of Franconia Notch State Park, by 2013.
This major policy shift was included with no public hearing process in the House, and little discussion in the Senate. It ignores the ten year strategic plan for NH parks, which includes a process for considering alternative park management strategies.
This provision threatens the integrity of Franconia Notch State Park by proposing to lease Cannon with no fact-based analysis of its impact. The proposal ignores the complexity of the park's funding history, its status as a monument to veterans, and the fact that Cannon Mountain has been generating revenue in recent years, including a $1 million surplus in 2011.
Whether or not leasing Cannon makes sense, requiring it in the budget cuts off public discussion and precludes full study of the pros and cons.
Take Action: AMC has a history of taking action to protect Franconia Notch. Please call your State Senator and House Member(s) today and urge them to eliminate the provision to lease Cannon from the biennial budget. Time is of the essence! Click here to find your State Senator and Representative(s).Labels: conservation, Conservation Action Network, New Hampshire