Proposals look to split up Parks, Recreation and Tourism agency

Grand Strand legislators are preparing to introduce bills that would split up the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and give tourism its own state-level agency.

The two bills - one written by Rep. Tracy Edge and another by Reps. Thad Viers and Alan Clemmons, all Myrtle Beach Republicans - would make state parks part of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Tourism would be elevated to its own state agency led by a secretary of tourism, who would focus on marketing and advocating for state tourism.

"Managing and operating state parks should go elsewhere," Edge said. "The secretary of tourism ... I don't think they need to be worried about fixing the rotten walkway at Caesars Head [State] Park."

Tourism academics at University of South Carolina and College of Charleston disagree on whether park oversight should be separated from the tourism. Splitting parks and tourism could add bureaucracy and goes against a trend toward ecotourism, which draws tourists to natural assets such as parks, said Andrea Canberg, an instructor in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the College of Charleston. Rich Harrill, director of the Sloan Foundation Travel & Tourism Industry Center at USC said the fact that DNR already manages other state land means they could run the parks more efficiently.

Viers and Edge said their restructuring bills will be introduced in coming weeks. Edge said he could introduce his bill as early as Tuesday. He has worked on the bill for more than a month but delayed introducing it because of his mother's poor health. Viers said last week he was preparing to introduce a bill to restructure PRT before April 15.

Gov. Nikki Haley and PRT director Duane Parrish confirmed last week that they have considered splitting up the agency.

"We've had some discussions and I certainly support the governor in her restructuring efforts," Parrish said. "I think at the end of the day, regardless of what happens with parks, our focus is to put more people in them. I don't know if they'll wind up being under PRT or DNR."

Parrish and Haley did not offer further details on restructuring plans. Parrish, who was confirmed as the new PRT director last month, said he will assume his role as head of the parks system until any restructuring occurs. He will visit each state park in coming weeks and draft individual plans to ensure every park succeeds, he said.

Edge said he first came up with his restructuring plan last spring when he submitted suggestions for a tourism platform to Henry McMaster's campaign for governor. A former McMaster staffer, Trey Walker, is now a deputy chief of staff in the Haley administration, which is likely why the governor is considering it, Edge said. Haley's press secretary, Rob Godfrey, did not respond to messages requesting comment Friday.

Edge said he has not discussed his bill with Viers and Clemmons, and Viers said that he had only made passing comments to Edge about possibly needing to restructure PRT.

The Viers-Clemmons bill differs from Edge's by creating a commission mimicking the format used by the Department of Transportation. The state General Assembly delegation in each congressional district would select a commissioner that would set policy for the proposed Department of Tourism, Viers said.

But Edge said a commission would add unneeded bureaucracy to the agency and goes against the trend of vesting more power in the governor. Under the current system, the governor appoints the PRT director and sets the agency's agenda.

Viers said one person can't be expected to have all the answers for tourism and it would make sense to have input from those in hospitality around the state. The state Department of Transportation inspired his plan, he said.

"I would like some legislative oversight from ... people who live and breathe tourism," Viers said. PRT Director Duane Parrish was previously a Charleston hotelier.

Edge said that chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus already provide input and can market their areas. The state funds chambers and CVBs, including the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, under a program that matches every $2 in privately raised marketing dollars with $1 in public money.

The tourism agency would retain oversight of the state's system of nine welcome centers, including the center in Little River, under both plans, Viers and Edge said.

Viers and Edge agree that more resources should be directed toward tourism and the secretary should be able to focus on marketing and advocacy.

Other plans to consolidate state agencies include Senate and House bills introduced in January to make the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services part of the Department of Corrections. Bills are also being considered that would restructure the powers of the state Budget and Control Board under a Department of Administration.

There have also been discussions of folding other health-related agencies into the Department of Health and Human Services, Edge said.

In addition to introducing bills, some restructuring will be pushed for in the state budget, Edge said. For example, he may attach a provision changing the title of PRT director to secretary of tourism. Budget provisos that change year-to-year may not be the best way to permanently restructure state agencies, but budget items will help to force a debate on certain changes, Edge said.

Haley has repeatedly pledged in public remarks to consolidate state agencies in order to reduce government waste.