Tagged: Land Between the Lakes

The final chance to comment on budget cut suggestions at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area ends on Wednesday. For the past four months, LBL officials have sought public comment on how to cope with a nearly $850 thousand cut to the park maintenance budget. The park starts implementing some of the money-saving suggestions in August.

Land Between the Lakes wildlife management workers say extra water is keeping their captive animals cool. LBL manages over 100 bison and around 35 elk, as well as numerous species at its Nature Station. Wildlife technician Curtis Fowler said so far the bison and elk are doing well in the heat

In April Land Between the Lakes officials announced the park’s federal maintenance budget had been reduced by 50 percent. The total loss amounted to about $800,000 for the park. Over the past few months, we’ve been following the efforts of local Forest Service officials as they try to determine how best to deal with the cuts. The process involved seeking public input at several meetings around the park, as well as an online questionnaire. Now, the public has a final chance to give their input to park administrators before they make the final decision on changes in August.

The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area has banned open fires due to prolonged high heat and dry conditions in the region.