Power Play Sundquist's political gambit could kill Tennessee's state parks. by DEBBIE GILBERT PHOTO BY DEBBIE GILBERT In March 1996, Gov. Don Sundquist traveled to Moscow, Tennessee, to announce the designation of the Ghost River State Natural Area. Standing on the banks of the Wolf River, he talked about how important it is to protect the state's natural resources. Then, to prove his environmental credentials, he paddled feebly around in a canoe. But when the governor halts operations at eight Tennessee state parks -- including two, Big Hill Pond and Fort Pillow, that are favorite destinations for Memphis-area hikers -- you can bet he won't be doing any photo ops. In case you haven't been following the issue (and judging by the relative lack of public outcry, most people haven't), Sundquist claims that the state's fiscal crisis leaves him no choice but to close those parks. Apparently his accountants have gone over the entire FY 2000 budget with a fine-toothed comb and found nothing else that could be sacrificed. There's no denying that Tennessee is in a financial bind. But is closing parks really going to solve anything? Let's look at the numbers. The closures are expected to save $1.3 million, out of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's total budget of $250 million. But it will cost $350,000 just to continue basic maintenance at those parks. And no one has calculated how much it might cost to take the parks out of mothballs at some point in the future. More than 30 employees are expected to be laid off, but since TDEC will try to find other jobs for them in state government, their salaries will still have to be paid. According to TDEC spokeswoman Kim Olson, the state is negotiating with several counties to take over management of the state parks within their boundaries. But local governments don't have the resources nor the expertise to operate a state park, so TDEC may have to offer some assistance. Again, this has not been taken into account by the money-crunchers. The real savings, then, could be almost negligible. So why is Sundquist taking such a drastic step? Environmentalists say it's a political ploy, that the governor is using this as leverage to get what he wants. If the legislature won't approve a state income tax, what better way to get their attention than to threaten Tennessee's most beloved institution, its state parks? Olson insists that this is a management decision and politics had nothing to do with it. Yet TDEC has not made public its criteria for closing these particular parks (critics say they're located mostly in Democrat-controlled districts). Nor has Sundquist bothered to explore alternative sources of funding for the parks, such as an entrance fee. About 35 states, including Georgia, where I live, already have charged such fees. Each park visit costs $2 per car, or you can choose to buy an annual pass for $25. People usually comply with the rule and don't complain, because they understand why it's necessary. Thanks to this fee, the facilities in Georgia's parks are generally nicer than those found in Tennessee's system, which still suffers from a massive maintenance backlog. If Sundquist was looking for something to axe within TDEC's budget, there were other items he could have targeted. "Last year, TDEC spent over $1 million on advertising to get people to use the conference centers in state parks," says Erin Kelly of Tennessee Conservation Voters, a coalition of 17 environmental organizations. Kelly and others are disturbed by the fact that Sundquist can make this decision without legislative approval and without public comment or due process. And if you think this is all just idle talk, that Sundquist wouldn't dare actually close the parks, think again. It's a done deal. "We are developing closure plans now," says Olson. "These eight will be closed regardless of what happens under the current budget. There's a chance that more will be proposed for closure if the budget doesn't contain the revenue-generating sources the governor wants." But Olson says the parks won't really be closed, in the sense of a padlock across the gate. They'll still be available as day-use areas, but there won't be any staff or facilities or programs. You can probably still get away with camping in these parks, if you don't mind doing without amenities such as bathrooms and electricity. But if you're wandering around in the woods and you become lost or injured, don't expect any rangers to come to your rescue. With no one there to enforce the rules, these parks will operate under a de facto policy of "anything goes." Want to rip up the hiking trails with your off-road vehicle? Feel free -- there won't be anybody to stop you. Want to start a marijuana farm in government-owned woods? Go for it. A decision will be made on the state budget by late April, and any changes will become effective July 1st. There's still time to let the governor know how you feel. Call or write Sundquist, as well as your state legislators. Don't sit passively by while the state parks are abandoned. Remember, these are your parks. The money to operate them comes almost exclusively from your taxes. Tell Sundquist you don't appreciate him making this decision without consulting you (or any other Tennessee resident). Tell him the state parks are Tennessee's top tourist attraction. Tell him you'd be happy to pay an entrance fee if it would mean keeping the parks operational. Above all, remind him that the parks did not cause the state's fiscal crisis, and taking them away from us won't cure it. Now, stop reading this and get busy. Debbie Gilbert is a former Flyer staff writer who is now the environmental reporter for The Times in Gainsville, Georgia. You can write her at letters@memphisflyer.com. PARKS SCHEDULED FOR CLOSURE Big Hill Pond Bledsoe Creek Burgess Falls Dunbar Cave Fort Loudon Fort Pillow House Mountain Indian Mountain Also, the inn and restaurant at Reelfoot Lake will be closed, but park will remain open. CONTACT INFORMATION Gov. Don Sundquist: 615-741-2001,or e-mail dsundquist@mail.state.tn.us State legislators: 1-800-449-8366 or www.legislature.state.tn.us