I just noticed this article this morning. (Yes, it’s a little late. Where’s Tuckerfan when one needs him? 
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It appears that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has decided to drastically cut funding to the observatory at Arecibo. 25 % for next year’s budget, and possibly as much as 50% by 2011. And if alternate funding can’t be found by that time, there is talk that they may close the facility entirely.
Obviously, the issue is far from decided, now. And my reaction is based at least as much on emotion as anything else: It’s such an iconic sight, that I really don’t want to see it go away. And as long as it’s still doing unique work, I find the idea that the Federal gov’t has to penny pinch for even a whole $11 million dollar annual operating budget a bit grotesque. Of course, I wasn’t happy when there was talk about taking the HST off line, either. I tend to react to money spent on space missions the way that a sports fan does towards government subsidies for sports venues: “I like what it’s supporting, so it must continue.”
Which, I’ll admit, isn’t always the best way to run a government.
One of my great regrets from my time in the Navy was that during all the times we were pulled into Roosevelt Roads, PR, for liberty and resupply I never once connected Puerto Rico with Arecibo. I knew about Arecibo, even then. And if I had thought about it, I’d have loved a chance to go see the facility while I was down there. But I never connected the two. And so missed my chance.
OTOH, the NYT article I’ve linked does offer one hope beyond the various scientific mission oriented reasons to keep the facility open: Returning the site to a natural condition will likely be much more expensive than continued operations would be.
I hope that funding can continue for what appears to remain a facility with unique capabilities.