Fed cuts delay full Acadia opening by a month
Acadia National Park, which generated $186 million in visitor spending in 2011, will open one month later this spring because of federal budget cuts.
The automatic federal cuts that went into effect this month, known as the sequester, reduced Acadia's annual $7.8 million budget by 5%.
With $390,000 less this year, The Associated Press reported that the 27-mile Park Loop Road, the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road and Hulls Cove Visitor Center will open May 19 instead of April 15.
While the opening of those roads and the visitor center is being delayed, the news service reported that hiking trails and the 2-mile section of Park Loop Road that includes Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff will be open before May 19, when conditions warrant.
Park Deputy Superintendent Len Bobinchock told the news service that the opening delay is the most drastic cost-cutting measure Acadia has taken during his 20 years there.
The park's budget-cutting plan also will include cuts to free ranger-led programs, school education programs and hours of operation at the visitor center and Islesford Historical Society.
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