Park ranger staffing at Oklahoma City memorial could be jeopardized

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Negotiations between state and federal parks official will determine the future of ranger staffing at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. <br><br>Federal legislation approved in January

Monday, March 8th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Negotiations between state and federal parks official will determine the future of ranger staffing at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Federal legislation approved in January changed the status of the memorial to an affiliate _ rather than a unit _ of the National Park Service.

This allowed the memorial to shed some federal regulations but also could jeopardize park ranger staffing.

Officials from both sides said they are in negotiations to keep rangers at the memorial.

A proposal that could be finalized in mid-April would authorize the Park Service to continue its current level of service and set up guidelines if either side wanted to end the relationship.

Connie Rudd, state National Park Service superintendent, said the Park Service is committed to staying at the memorial and has the backing of the agency's director, Fran Mainella.

But Rudd said even if the two sides reach an agreement, funding for the salaries of the memorial's five rangers would not be guaranteed.

``Historically, the Park Service does not provide protected funds for the staffing of an affiliate,'' Rudd said. ``The priorities could change for this nation, and we would have to take these resources and go elsewhere.''

This is the only one of the nation's 29 Park Service affiliates to be staffed with park rangers.

The memorial's status change means the Park Service has to pay its own overhead costs. In the past, the memorial organization assumed the cost of staffing the site with rangers.

Memorial Director Kari Watkins said she trusts the Park Service will make a good-faith effort to secure funding.

``We will know the commitment of the National Park Service by the way they fund this service,'' Watkins said.

Memorial organizers don't want the park rangers to leave, but they are prepared if a lack of funding leaves the site with no rangers, Watkins said.

``Although we want them here, we're not dependent on them to fulfill our mission,'' Watkins said. ``We certainly have a plan in place if they decide they can't afford to stay here.''