oh yes. I can tell you exactly who it will be. Mark Mauren and ultimately the commissioner (although he will probably just approve whatever Mark decides). Mark will get input from the regional managers, who will provide data on usage, cost to operate, etc.

When talking to Mark and other DNR employees, I've been told closures will be done from a budget standpoint, just like before. Facilities with the highest cost-to-attendance ratios (except for some very popular places, maybe.. although Mt. Si almost closed last time) will be the first to be targeted for closure. There shouldn't be any bias for or against any rec-group. And whatever decisions they make will be difficult, painful, and full of negative consequences.

Assuming the data collected at a regional level is factual, I don't think there is anyone we can blame except ourselves, our legislature, and the reality of recession. We as citizens decided that we would take cuts in government instead of raising taxes in November (Disclosure: I voted to cut taxes). We're now facing those consequences. While I think NOVA should be restored, and would probably stop these final cuts, it did not fully fund the recreation program around the state. Despite republicans being more friendly to ORV interests, they are also for cutting out 'fat'. Many believe state parks and recreation is 'fat' in a recession.

Motorized Recreation is a very small voice in a large stadium of people wanting a piece of the state budget pie. We not only compete against other user groups, but heath, education, crime, transportation groups, etc, etc. Which means that when the state is doing bad, we're probably one of the first things to be cut. When the state is doing good, we're going to get help.