GUILFORD — An effort to save a pond near a southern Vermont state park has been delayed. Sweet Pond in Guilford was drained in April 2011 after the state determined the dam that created it was unsafe.

Local officials say with no pond, there has been little reason for anyone to visit the adjoining Sweet Pond State Park, which opened in 1976.

The project will still happen, though it may take a few years, due to state budget cuts, Rep. Hebert said. State money also is being diverted to fix the state’s Waterbury office complex, which was damaged during Tropical Storm Irene, he said. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation had its budget cut significantly, Hebert said. “There’s no money for projects like Sweet Pond and many others,” he said.

A rehabilitation project carries an estimated price tag of $330,000. Some residents planned to travel to Montpelier on Tuesday to request the money.

Local Sweet Pond backers vow to keep working to restore the pond.

“We’re not giving up until the pond is back,” said Linda Hecker, who has served as co-chairwoman of the Sweet Pond Steering Committee.