One-third of Florida's parks put on governor's potential closing list

Ana M. Valdes in the Orlando Sentinel: Fifty-three state parks, including three in Martin and St. Lucie counties, could be closed in response to Gov. Rick Scott's call for budget cuts. The Department of Environmental Protection's list of proposed closings includes St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park in Stuart, Savannas Preserve State Park in Jensen Beach and the smaller Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park in Stuart.

To help the state deal with a potential $3.2 billion shortfall, Scott asked all departments to come up with proposals to reduce their budgets by 15 percent. Closing these parks, about a third of Florida's total of 160, would save the state about $6.5 million a year, officials say. "The 53 parks were chosen based on their visitation numbers during fiscal year 2009-2010," DEP spokeswoman Kristin Lock said. "They reflect the parks with the lowest visitation that do not offer camping or other overnight accommodations."

Lock emphasized that until the legislature approves the governor's budget, these are merely proposals. State environmental groups quickly spoke out against the closings. "The people who are making these statements are not representing the views of many in Florida," said Tom Larson, a member of the Sierra Club Florida steering committee. "They are just looking at dollars and swinging an ax left and right."…