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Public outcry prompts Scott to reconsider camping in state parks

By James Call

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-977963.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Rick Scott says he is looking very closely at a proposal to allow private companies operate camping facilities at state parks. James Call reports, the Governor removed Honeymoon Island in Pinellas County from the proposed list when widespread opposition emerged.

The controversy over the Florida Park Service proposal to build recreational vehicle campgrounds in four state parks drew more than 600 people to public hearings. Face book groups were organized to fight the plan. Scott responded to the public outcry by removing Honeymoon Island from the list but has not killed the idea completely.

"We should continue to look at these things. But we got to listen to the public. It's their parks and we got to make sure we listen to them and do the right thing on these state parks."

Privatizing government services was a keystone in Scott's campaign yet in less than a month he has appeared to back off that promise somewhat. Scott signed off on SunRail, a central Florida commuter line that will be built with tax dollars and then appeared to waver on privatizing camping. Florida State University Political Science professor Robert Crew said Scott's actions are consistent with governors who get elected as outsiders but once in office find that they have to moderate their positions.

"He was getting push back from people who generally agree with him philosophically. Some expressing reservations about privatization at state parks are fiscal conservatives."

There are more than 50 parks the state identified for possible overnight camping facilities operated by private companies. Public hearings have been held on the first four parks on the list, Honeymoon Island, Wakulla, De Leon and Fanning Springs. Republican Senator Mike Fasano spoke at the hearing for Honeymoon Island.

"And I would ask you too to take this message back to Tallahassee. Which I know you will, allowing a private firm to come in and perform what should be a public function is putting profit before the environment and the people we are here to protect."

The camping proposal emerged in May after the fifth straight year the Legislature cut billions of dollars from the state's budget. Every, service, program and department in Florida state government has been affected by the Great Recession. A point the Parks Service Albert Gregory tried to explain when he moderated the Honeymoon Island hearing.

"Camping is also important as a source of revenue for the parks. No one, no one would like to provide free state parks more than we do. But that unfortunately, that is not the way the world works."

And the world doesn't seem to be working towards more camping at state parks. The Pinellas County Legislative Delegation called a special meeting about it, and the controversy is playing out in the wake of polls showing Scott's approval rating below 30 percent. He had captured the Republican Gubernatorial nomination as an outsider, but Crew said like outsiders before him, Scott is learning he needs a party to govern and low public approval ratings may weaken support for his positions among other politicians.

"It's just a moderation and it's in the face of opposition. I think he is getting concern expressed from other Republicans about this also. His fortunes are linked with the fortunes of the Republican Party. Certainly for public policy purposes he needs support of the Party. He has to get things passed in the state legislature. He can't just do that like the chief executive officer of a company can do."

The Parks Service is studying whether to move forward with camping at De Leon, Fanning and Wakulla springs state park. Florida is the only two time winner of the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management and is a finalist this year. The governor says he wants to increase access to the state parks without affecting the standard of excellence the parks have achieved.

"My goal is to really look at it and look at it very closely and be very careful about it. I mean we have great state parks. I want to keep them. I want to get that third gold medal."

If the Parks Service decides to move forward with privatized campsites a public hearing will be held in Tallahassee August 19th.