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Roper Lake could stay open
By Diane Saunders/Staff Writer
Published on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:42 PM MST
Roper Lake State Park - about five miles south of Safford - is set to close March 29, but there are at least four possible ways to keep the popular recreation site open.
The Arizona State Parks Board voted Jan. 15 to close Roper and 12 other state parks after the state swept about $54 million from the State Parks Department's account in an attempt to balance the state's budget.
Roper Lake visitors bring nearly $6 million to Graham County each year, according to the Arizona State Parks Department.
Drew John, chairman of the Graham County Board of Supervisors, said he recently met with Roper Lake Manager Scott Allred to review the park's budget and discuss staffing needs. This will be important if one of the following possibilities becomes a reality:
A state fix. This would involve an additional fee tacked onto the cost of vehicle license plates, with the money going directly to state parks. Vehicles bearing Arizona plates would be admitted to state parks free. The constitutionality of this bill, co-sponsored by District 5 Rep. Bill Konopnicki and several others, still must be determined.
Roper remains open, with Graham County's three municipalities of Safford, Thatcher and Pima providing in-kind services to support the park. John said he met with the three mayors and determined this is a viable option.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will take over management of the park. Game and Fish owns Roper Lake but entered into an agreement with the Arizona State Parks Department to manage it.
A local nonprofit organization will take over management of the park and use volunteers to continue services.
In his discussion with Allred, John said he learned that Roper has its own well for potable water and no longer depends on a well on neighboring property owned by Texas residents Michael and Nanette Epperson.
John is confident that a solution can be found to keep Roper open.
"There's too many other options (to closing the park). There is no reason to close Roper Lake," John said.
Roper Lake State Park - about five miles south of Safford - is set to close March 29, but there are at least four possible ways to keep the popular recreation site open.
The Arizona State Parks Board voted Jan. 15 to close Roper and 12 other state parks after the state swept about $54 million from the State Parks Department's account in an attempt to balance the state's budget.
Roper Lake visitors bring nearly $6 million to Graham County each year, according to the Arizona State Parks Department.
Drew John, chairman of the Graham County Board of Supervisors, said he recently met with Roper Lake Manager Scott Allred to review the park's budget and discuss staffing needs. This will be important if one of the following possibilities becomes a reality:
In his discussion with Allred, John said he learned that Roper has its own well for potable water and no longer depends on a well on neighboring property owned by Texas residents Michael and Nanette Epperson.
John is confident that a solution can be found to keep Roper open.
"There's too many other options (to closing the park). There is no reason to close Roper Lake," John said.
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