PINCHING ACADIA

You can mark down one more consequence of America’s war in Iraq: Down East Maine’s jewel, a familiar pleasure spot for Mainers and a prime magnet for tourists from all over, is on a tightened budgetary leash. This year, you won’t see as many rangers on duty as usual at Acadia National Park. A reduced work force will do its best to keep the restrooms clean, but maintenance on all facilities will begin to deteriorate, says Ken Olson, president of Friends of Acadia.

The organization, which made news lately by obtaining an option on a site in Trenton for a possible transportation hub close to the park, has been lobbying to get this year’s budget cuts eliminated or at least reduced. Mr. Olson says all of Maine’s congressional delegation, together with Gov. John Baldacci, are on the case, but the park budget has one enormous competitor. Friends of Acadia has granted the park $2.9 million since 1995, built up endowments totaling $14.4 million to help fund future park projects, and helped finance the Island Explorer propane-powered buses that operate to and within the park.

But private philanthropy should be an extra, not an inadequate replacement for vanishing federal support.

Two weeks ago, the word was that this year’s operating budget would be reduced by about $500,000, or 8 percent from last year’s figure of about $6 million. New figures now have arrived, suggesting a cut of 10 percent. Officials are still deciding what programs or services should reduced and will forward recommendations to the National Park Service regional office in Boston for decision.

This year’s budget cut comes on top of a $250,000 reduction last year, and the prospects for next year seem no better. The park’s financial situation is only a small part of a national belt tightening brought on by massive tax cuts voted on at a time of huge surplus, a subsequent bursting of the bubble, descent into a national budget deficit, and the enormous costs of the war.

Belt tightening always hurts, but the hurt is worst when the damage comes close to home.