Up To 40 State Parks Could Be Mothballed

Up to 40 state parks could be mothballed indefinitely if the State Parks Department has to cut 23 percent of its budget, parks officials told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Officials said the list is only a "draft," but a total of 30 to 40 parks could have to be mothballed.

Park officials said they hope the State Parks commissioners give them some guidance about what criteria to use to decide which parks may get mothballed as a result of the worsening budget situation.

The state budget deficit is estimated at nearly $8.5 billion.

Here are the parks from which a "Draft List" for mothballing may be selected: Jarrell Cove Fields Spring Federation Forest Sacajawea Rainbow Falls Beacon Rock Lewis & Clark Fort Columbia Alta Lake Columbia Plateau Trail Wallace Falls Lake Easton Yakima Sportsman Maryhill Illahee Dash Point Potlatch Twin Harbors Ginkgo/Wanapum Flaming Geyser Peace Arch Saltwater Ocean City Fort Ebey Wenatchee Confluence Lake Wenatchee Fort Flagler Mount Spokane Millersylvania Memorial Sun Lakes - Dry Falls Larrabee Fort Casey Saint Edward