State parks face deep cuts in tough economy

Many Americans are planning to hit the road today for the upcoming long holiday weekend and a lot of folks are heading to state parks. Historically, these parks have been a cheap and accessible vacation. However, as National Correspondent Ben Tracy reported on "The Early Show," the economy and state budget cuts are changing that.

For more than 85 years, time at at Deception Pass State Park in Washington State has been priceless.

One parkgoer told CBS News, "Oh, it's just peaceful here. Just refresh your soul."

But now, Tracy reported, this scenery comes with a cost. As of July 1, Washington State is charging a $10 daily fee to enter any of its parks.

Park manager Jack Hartt said, "These are lands that are owned by the people of the state."

Hartt has been a ranger for 23 years. He says park visitors are no longer just guests - they're customers.

Hartt said, "Now we're thinking of how do we collect their money, how do we make sure we're meeting the financial needs as well as their recreational experiences. The beauty of parks is that they used to be free, used to be available for everybody, but because we're now charging it's going to be a challenge for those who don't have that much money."

Tracy introduced Randall Kelley, a fisherman who has come to Deception Pass State Park for the past 25 years.

"This place means everything to me," Kelley said. "I love this place. My wife says I spend more time here than at home."

But now Kelley is unemployed and can't afford to pay to get in.

Kelley said, "I mean if you don't have the money, you don't come."

The problem is Washington State is out of money, too. It has a nearly $5 billion deficit. The state used to spend $87.3 million, according to its 2007-2009 budget, on its state parks. Now lawmakers are defunding all 118 of them - zero tax dollars. Parks will now rely on people paying the $10 daily fee or buying a $30 dollar annual pass, according to the State of Washington.

But, Tracy pointed out, in Washington State, officials don't yet know if user fees will bring in enough money to keep all of their parks open, some may have to close.

That's, unfortunately, the scenario in California. There Gov. Jerry Brown plans to close 70 of California's 278 parks - a whopping 25 percent of state park land.

Holiday weekend outlook: Fireworks, Furs, freedom, patriotic songs ...

Presenting one-stop shopping for holiday weekend activities at Central Florida attractions. Get comfy, the list is as long as the weekend.

+ Velvet Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel, Thursday, June 30. This month’s music guest: Psychedelic Furs. More information about Velvet Sessions .

+ Laser Light Shows return to Orlando Science Center, beginning Friday and Saturday, July 1-2. More about Laser Light shows . (Also can check out the new exhibit,  ”Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World.”)

+ “Games People Play: The Evolution of Video Games” exhibit opens at Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando on Saturday, July 2. It’s a chance to get your Donkey Kong on.   And it’s a chance to inspect the Jack Kerouac manuscript now on display (This just in: It’s staying put through Dec. 31).  More about “Games People Play”   and More about Jack Kerouac manuscript .

+ Fun Spot in Kissimmee introduces its Power Trip Coaster with free rides on it from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. The Orlando Fun Spot just off International Drive will have free Ferris wheel rides at the same time. More on opening of Fun Spot’s Power Trip Coaster .

+ Busch Gardens in Tampa has fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Also at Busch: Kinetix, a 30-minute performance by singers, dancers and musicians, at 9 p.m. and appearances by magician Christopher Cool.  New at Busch Gardens is the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster. Cheetah Hunt review and video .  

+ SeaWorld Orlando is in Summer Nights mode, meaning after-dark shows of “Shamu Rocks,” “Sea Lions Tonite” and “Reflections,” a finale with fireworks and fountain-ography. But on Monday, July 4, Reflections will be expanded and timed to live patriotic music. Show time is 9:45 p.m. New to SeaWorld’s summertime programming is Summer Nights Central, a sort of family-friendly party zone along the pathway to Bayside Stadium. More details about SeaWorld Orlando .

+ Universal Studios continues its Summer Concert Series with a Trey Songz appearance Saturday, July 2. Show time is 9 p.m. On Monday, July 4, Universal resurrects its Universal 360 presentation, a laser show with movie projections, pyrotechnics and other special effects, at park close. Details about summer at Universal Orlando .

National Parks

West's California digest 2d

Los Angeles Magazine

West's Federal practice digest 4th

Report of the Director of the National Park Service to the Secretary of the Interior