The local Forest Service Ranger District is looking for partnerships and new ideas to increase funding for the campgrounds and picnic areas on the Pinaleno Mountains, also known as Mount Graham.
According to Toni Strauss, Safford’s district ranger, the funding received and what is needed to properly run and support recreational areas on the mountain are not in balance.
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According to Strauss, the money is budgeted for building maintenance, toilets and keeping the campgrounds sanitary. Because of the intense fires the mountain has seen in recent years, a portion of this money has had to help ensure fire prevention.
If additional money cannot be raised, campgrounds and picnic areas will not be able to be properly maintained and will have to be closed.
“If we can’t maintain them to the level we’re required, we’ll have no other choice but to tear them out,” Strauss said.
The Forest Service’s budget money from Congress and what is actually needed to maintain sanitary facilities do not balance.
Strauss said, “We’re trying to figure out how to bridge that gap.”
Strauss also said districts that can figure out how to do more with less money will be rewarded by Congress by receiving more money the next year.
The community of Logan, Utah, got creative to keep their campgrounds open in the Wasatch-Cashe Forest. Every month on residents’ utility bills, there is an optional $1 donation that goes to the Forest Service.
“That was something that really intrigued me,” Strauss said.
If local residents have creative ideas to generate funding to keep the 10 Mount Graham campgrounds and two picnic areas open, they should call the local Forest Service office at 428-4150.
If enough money is not raised, the Forest Service will have to start looking at closures about one year from now.


Comments
10 comment(s)Ian Mccartney wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:
H. Craig Bradley wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:29 PM:
Anonymous wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:06 PM:
Vice Principal Kerry Wilson
Principal Robert Beeman
Superintendent Mark Tregaskes
Safford, Arizona Middle School
734 11Th Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone Number: (928) 348-7040
http://az.localschooldirectory.com/schools_info.php/school_id/3495 "
THS Alum 2004 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM:
P.S. Doug did it. "
blah wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:29 AM:
colton wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:02 PM:
saline wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM:
Michael Jackson wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:02 PM:
Jesu Christ! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:53 PM:
Daniel Connell wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:35 AM: