ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's environmental officials are expected to
decide whether to close up to 13 state parks and historic sites.

The proposal could also decide Wednesday to shorten park hours,
shut down trout hatcheries and freeze new ranger hires. The
department also propose withdrawing workers from federally owned
wildlife management areas in north Georgia.

Georgia's Department of Natural Resources and other state
agencies were asked to cut their budget to help close the state's
budget gap of at least $1.6 billion.

Parks have become an easy target for officials looking to prune
state budgets. But critics say it's a shortsighted move as high gas
prices make local parks an increasingly attractive vacation
alternative.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)