Loophole’s closure could benefit Rosaryville State Park

But the park was among 49 state parks listed in a ‘‘state of crisis,” according to a Maryland state parks funding study released Oct. 29.

The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment provided a $17,000 grant for the two-month study, said Tim Casey, one of the leaders of the study and secretary of the Friends of Maryland State Forests and Parks, Inc.

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) led the lawmakers to raise $1.3 billion in additional taxes with an estimated $4.2 million going to keep the parks open, said Olivia Campbell, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

‘‘In total, state parks gained $4.2 million in additional annual revenue,” she said. ‘‘Considering the current fiscal challenges facing the state, this is a good first step.”

Park users enthusiastically greeted the move.

‘‘It is terrific. It’s a worthwhile use of tax revenue as it provides people to go for recreation, physical activity and appreciation of nature in the outdoors,” said Jim Hudnall, public relations chairman of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club.

Campbell said several studies have recommended using a portion of the real estate transfer tax and the money that would be generated by closing corporate tax loopholes.

The new tax law that passed at the end of the special session closes a loophole that enables corporations to skip transfer taxes and real estate recordation taxes, or 2 percent of sales prices paid by residents and small businesses.

Del. Doyle L. Neimann (D-Dist. 47) of Mount Rainier said the idea of closing Rosaryville State Park was a part of what he called O’Malley’s ‘‘Doomsday scenario” should the $1.7 billion state budget deficit not be appropriately addressed.

‘‘In that scenario, the eight parks would have been shut down, and 15 percent of the park staff would have been laid off,” Niemann said.

Casey welcomed the additional funding for the parks, adding that there is a chance even more money could become available. But he said it is too early to say whether the money would actually reach the parks.

‘‘We need $5 million in the first year, $5 million in the second year, and then another $9 million in the third and fourth years — at least four years to restore the Maryland state parks to their former high ranking,” Casey said. ‘‘Back in the early 1990s, Maryland was considered to have one of the top five state park systems. We are now down in the middle.”

Rosaryville State Park and Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor Center, both in Upper Marlboro, were part of the Maryland study that studied 49 facilities, Casey said. But Merkle was not included in the parks facing a closure, Campbell said.

Campbell said the park system had been relying on user funds and ticket sales to stay open.

Funding support for State Parks was greater in 1991 than 2007, despite an increase of nearly four million visitors. State Parks lost 25 percent of its full-time staff between 2002 and 2006.

The ratio of staff to visitors is now 1 to 55,000, greatly diminishing Maryland Park Service ability to provide services, the study said.

The park doesn’t have the staff to ensure public safety, reduced staff for environmental and historical education programs. Closure or reduced hours for pavilions and restrooms also are being discussed.