(Des Moines)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is preparing for heavier patrols at state parks this summer even as lawmakers threaten job cuts.
The department’s Robert Garrison says he brought in extra help at Gull Point State Park last Fourth of July and wants to do the same there every weekend this summer. He also wants similar patrols at Clear Lake and other trouble spots.
But state lawmakers have warned they will eliminate more than 100 positions in the Department of Natural Resources because of budget woes. If that goes through, Garrison will have to make do with with 23 seasonal officers, half the number he normally has.
Garrison says he’s recruited some part-time officers and want to bring in officers from other parts of the state.
(From the Associated Press.).
