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Sequestration...once again it appears that our federal government has waited until the last possible minute to debate and/or enact a solution which will do little to address this country's fiscal crisis, but creates economic hardship for communities like Cody.

Starting tomorrow (unless the can is going to be kicked down the road again), the National Park Service is requiring five percent budget cuts from all of the units in their system. Yellowstone will be reducing its $35 million annual budget by $1.75 million. This is in addition to the $2 million reduction in YNP's FY 2010 budget.

In a conference call with your Cody Chamber board of directors this week, and additional communications, Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk has detailed how these cuts, which will all be done in the last half of the current fiscal year, will be taken.

The cuts are based on the following priorities:

• Protecting Park resources
• Providing a high quality visitor experience which affects the least number of visitors possible
• Recognizing the importance of our partners, concessioners, gateway communities, and states
• Maintaining a high quality workforce.

First, $1 million in savings will be obtained in not filling lapsing permanent positions at this time.

Second, $500,000 in savings will be realized in reducing the seasonal workforce, shortening seasonal workforce length of employment, and restricting travel and training wherever possible.

Finally, the remaining $250,000 will be obtained by delaying snow plowing operations, which will result in postponing the opening of all gates by the following schedule:

- North and West entrances will open one week later - April 26th
- East entrance will open two weeks later - May 17th
- South entrance will open two weeks later - May 24th
- Northeast entrance will open two weeks later - May 24th

Wenk stated that $10,000/day is spent in fuel for plowing and that the delay allows the sun and temperatures to do more of the work. While the questions of whether other areas can be cut instead of plowing are legitimate, this is the reality we're facing.

Your Chamber board and staff are committed to finding a solution that allows for at least one of our two gates to be open on time.

To date, here are the actions we have taken:

• Contacted our US Representative and Senators to express our disappointment with the sequestration and requested they assist in not having these cuts affect the Park System because of the local economic hardship it creates for communities like Cody.
• Results: All responded saying they understood our position, but no solutions have been found as of today.   
• Discussed possible local/state solutions with Superintendent Wenk and our partners - Wyoming Office of Tourism, Cooke City Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Xanterra (YNP concessionaire), City of Cody, Park County Travel Council, WTIC and local business owners.
• Results: Wenk has stated that if an agreement can be reached between Cooke City and Cody, with the possible assistance of the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Montana Department of Transportation, that he would be willing to plow the "plug" of snow east of Cooke City early, so as to open that gate as early as possible and keep it open. Wenk's preferred date to start plowing would be March 11th.
  
  In my discussions with the Cooke City Chamber director and Chamber president, they would prefer no plowing of the plug before April 15th. Is there room for compromise here that respects their contractual trail grooming agreements and winter tourism business, while at the same time preserving summer visitation and access for both communities? That's the question we're trying to answer.

• Another option is that $250,000 is needed to plow on a normal (or as close to normal depending on how long it would take to secure funding) schedule. This could allow the East Gate to open on May 3rd.
  
  To give some context, for the first two weeks of May last year, 11,597 people (in 4,217 cars) traveled through the East Gate. Looking at a 2011 Park County Travel Council survey, visitors spent on average, $548.43/day on their trips to Cody and Park County. On a "per car" spending basis that works out to an estimated $2,312,729 in local economic impact that's potentially lost. While the accuracy of that total can be debated, even 10% of that is over $200,000 in lost spending for the first two weeks if people don't come because the Park isn't accessible.  
  
  We are looking at any and all options that may exist to secure this funding and have calls into our local elected Representatives and Senator. In addition, Mr. Wenk has been in discussions with the Governor's of both Montana and Wyoming. Could each gateway community raise $50,000? Is it worth $100 per Cody Chamber member to make that happen? Are there other sources of funds available? I realize this isn't our primary responsibility, but I also know we don't want to lose two weeks of business either.   

• Finally, we are working with the State of Wyoming, our partners and other communities to make sure we speak with one voice to visitors during this time. We want to reduce the uncertainty and confusion this creates. As of this writing, talking points are being developed that encourage people to keep their plans and visit our region this spring and summer. We're open for business! The State of Wyoming is also taking the lead role in being the clearinghouse for updated information, much like they do during fire season.

Sincerely,

Scott Balyo

Executive Director

exec@codychamber.org