email to director of TN state parks regarding ramp closures

[FishingwithRusty]

thought i'd share this with you guys, im trying. starts at the bottom with my initial email. please note his email if you care to voice your views on the matter.



From: Rusty White <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Apr 7, 2020, 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Park/ramp closures
To: Mike Robertson <[email protected]>

So, the governor indicated fishing and hunting as essential activities but closing the boat ramps makes it more difficult for people to do this. Closing the larger state park ramps pushes people to use smaller twra or city ramps which compresses people into smaller space and is contradictory to your intent. Affecting the rights of the people is the name of "safety" is contrary to the principles of liberty.

"Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin

On Tue, Apr 7, 2020, 2:10 PM Mike Robertson <[email protected]> wrote:
Mr. White,
I apologize for not responding to the second part of your inquiry.

Our authority is provided in TCA: 11-1-108 This provides the Department the authority to establish rules for the management of state parks. I have pasted the TCA below for your review, I have highlighted the specific section of this TCA that provides the legal authority to establish rules for the management of our State Parks.
11-1-108. System of development and administration of land — Rules and regulations — Accounting for revenues.
(a) The department shall make a careful study of lands in the state suitable for park purposes and shall formulate and adopt a system for the proper development, preservation, and administration thereof.
(b) The department has the power to make rules and regulations and to promulgate the same for the management and control of this property for park purposes not inconsistent with the powers and restrictions herein.
(c) All revenue which may be derived from such property shall be accounted for by itemized annual statements, and shall go into the state treasury for state purposes; provided, that the commissioner, with the approval of the state building commission, may pledge the revenues derived from any park facility to pay for the lease or purchase of such park facility and the amounts which may be so pledged shall be applied as provided in such pledge.

Here’s the rule that give us the authority to close areas. It specifically allows for closure for the safety and welfare of persons.

0400-02-02-.06 CLOSING OF AREAS.
The Park Manager may establish a reasonable schedule of visiting hours for all portions of a park area and close or restrict the public use of all or any portion of a park area, when necessary for the protection of the area or the safety and welfare of persons or property by the posting of appropriate signs indicating the extent and scope of closure. All persons shall observe and abide by the officially posted signs designating closed areas and visiting hours.

We continue to monitor the COVID 19 information provided through the TN Department of Health and adapt our Park Operations Plan to assist with the State’s efforts to control or slow down the spread of the COVID 19 virus. It is our hope that the current closures will be short lived and we will be back open soon.

Let me know if you have additional questions and I will seek to answer them.



Mike Robertson
Director of Operations
Tennessee State Parks
Office: 615-532-0434
[email protected]
www.tnstateparks.com
facebook.com/tennesseestateparks
We value your feedback! Please complete our customer satisfaction survey



From: Rusty White [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 12:30 PM
To: Mike Robertson
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Park/ramp closures

Mr Robertson,

You failed to answer my question. Under what authority do you contradict the word from the governor and restrict the people's right to use PUBLIC resources?

On Tue, Apr 7, 2020, 1:13 PM Mike Robertson <[email protected]> wrote:
Mr. White,
Thank you for reaching out to Tennessee State Parks. We value your feedback.
The health and safety of Tennessee citizens is our top priority right now. As the weather has grown warmer, all park operations have seen staggering increases in visitor traffic to state parks. Visitors traveled from all corners of the state and nation. While normally desirable, this increased visitation presented situations where it was difficult for park visitors and staff to maintain safe distances from each other.
We are continuing to monitor the situation daily and are working closely with public health officials. We look forward to reopening our state parks as soon as possible.




Mike Robertson
Director of Operations
Tennessee State Parks
Office: 615-532-0434
[email protected]
www.tnstateparks.com
facebook.com/tennesseestateparks
We value your feedback! Please complete our customer satisfaction survey



From: Rusty White [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, April 6, 2020 11:41 AM
To: Mike Robertson
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Park/ramp closures


*** This is an EXTERNAL email. Please exercise caution. DO NOT open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email - STS-Security. ***
________________________________________
Mr Robertson,

Hello, I am writing as a concerned person and avid fisherman about the closures of boat ramps. While the governor declared fishing to be an essential activity in his unconstitutional order, TN state parks has complicated and contradicted that statement by closing access to public resources. While I understand concern for exposure of employees, the boat ramps themselves are NOT staffed. Please share with me and the public of the state of Tennessee where in the state constitution you have this authority?

I look forward to your response,

 

[Rob Lee]

He could make boat ramps accessible without opening the park.

 

[finbully]

I must say, I am surprise you got a response and that the response is as detailed as it is.

Did you ever think they are trying to protect their employees? Think about it. The ramps will logically be busier since many working folks are self-isolating at home. There would need to be people working around the ramps for normal maintenance; trash collection, bathroom cleaning, etc. There is a shortage of PPE and cleaning supplies right now. Probably increased staff would be necessary since the ramps would be busier if open. Do you really believe social distancing can be maintained in this scenario of MORE people at a given location? Don't be selfish and think in terms of yourself getting sick or not rather think about, if you get sick, who and how many other people will you put in danger. This is an extronidary time, extrodinary measures are all that can be acted upon until more is learned about this virus, and we have some idea of how to protect those who do not want to become infected.

Most all of us want to fish and this is some of the best time of the year to do it. Look on the bright side of a spawning season taking place without fish being yanked off the beds and the increase in fry that will be produced. There’s a lot of people in normal times making much bigger sacrifices than most of us thinking about how it sucks that we can’t fish the way we want right now! Its embarrassing and shameful how trivial it is to temproarily have a hold on this activity and make it out as if it is a big deal and/or some sort of government conspiracy.

 

[swamp]

Look on the bright side of a spawning season taking place without fish being yanked off the beds and the in
Icrease in fry that will be produced. There’s a lot of people in normal times making much bigger sacrifices

 

[FishingwithRusty]

finbully - 4/8/2020 9:02 AM

I must say, I am surprise you got a response and that the response is as detailed as it is.

Did you ever think they are trying to protect their employees? Think about it. The ramps will logically be busier since many working folks are self-isolating at home. There would need to be people working around the ramps for normal maintenance; trash collection, bathroom cleaning, etc. There is a shortage of PPE and cleaning supplies right now. Probably increased staff would be necessary since the ramps would be busier if open. Do you really believe social distancing can be maintained in this scenario of MORE people at a given location? Don't be selfish and think in terms of yourself getting sick or not rather think about, if you get sick, who and how many other people will you put in danger. This is an extronidary time, extrodinary measures are all that can be acted upon until more is learned about this virus, and we have some idea of how to protect those who do not want to become infected.

Most all of us want to fish and this is some of the best time of the year to do it. Look on the bright side of a spawning season taking place without fish being yanked off the beds and the increase in fry that will be produced. There’s a lot of people in normal times making much bigger sacrifices than most of us thinking about how it sucks that we can’t fish the way we want right now! Its embarrassing and shameful how trivial it is to temproarily have a hold on this activity and make it out as if it is a big deal and/or some sort of government conspiracy.

are you aware of whats going on at the ramps that are open? MUCH smaller ramps being WAY more crowded than they normally are because the larger state park ramps are closed. and yes im aware of the concern for their employees...........real simple.........boat ramps dont need staff.

 

[gitzit-done]

I agree with you Rusty, I was at Chester Frost last Saturday and it was crazy full....saw over 30 trailers from Georgia as I was leaving. We need all the boat ramps opened.

 

[bassnman]

We paid for these ramps with our taxes, like a road or highway and they need no personnel, I f they close a road it makes the other roads more crowded ,why close and make other ramps overcrowded .there is no good reason.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

i hope you guys will use his email and share your thoughts with him

 

[Shadman]

be safe everyone this is serious,thank of it this those fish shouldn't be so finicky when they do turn us loose

 

[jman60]

Is it serious? Yes but how serious? 200 people a day die in TN on average. Over 21 die a day in traffic accidents. You are more likely to die driving your boat to the ramp than of COVID19. Is that worth giving up our freedoms and putting all of our small businesses out of business. I think we have taken the wrong approach. Read an article today that CA shut everything down early, FL was late shutting everything down. OK has not shut anything down. Guess what. The rate of sickness and death from this virus is the same in all three states. Not certain what the answer is but what we are doing is crazy.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

jman60 - 4/9/2020 8:36 PM

Is it serious? Yes but how serious? 200 people a day die in TN on average. Over 21 die a day in traffic accidents. You are more likely to die driving your boat to the ramp than of COVID19. Is that worth giving up our freedoms and putting all of our small businesses out of business. I think we have taken the wrong approach. Read an article today that CA shut everything down early, FL was late shutting everything down. OK has not shut anything down. Guess what. The rate of sickness and death from this virus is the same in all three states. Not certain what the answer is but what we are doing is crazy.

Bingo!!!!! Look at Sweden, they have continued life as normal other than limiting gatherings to less than 50 people. Infection rates and deaths in line with other countries.......

 

[jcodylew]

I just wish that while the ramps are closed (which i totally disagree with), the state would take advantage of the opportunity and FIX some of the issues i/e holes, lines, trash, broken dock cleats, busted boards, etc.... if your gonna take away OUR stuff why not work on it while you can.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/a...rwV7jVZ2uWht-6uaUAKRnIFg3jcLAcTsaUeE5rwrPJd0U

 

[gobigorange]

jcodylew - 4/12/2020 7:14 AM

I just wish that while the ramps are closed (which i totally disagree with), the state would take advantage of the opportunity and FIX some of the issues i/e holes, lines, trash, broken dock cleats, busted boards, etc.... if your gonna take away OUR stuff why not work on it while you can.

The issue is not all boat ramps are closed just the better ones. Plus some of that work would require more than one person so how can they maintain a safe distance while doing the work.

 

[rippinlips2win]

I can tell you that I have had similar interactions with various authorities. The point is that they are forcing us together rather than keeping the ramps open and letting us spread out. Staff at ramps is unnecessary and if they charge, then they all have the boxes for the $. I am over it but I will find a way on the water...it takes all of us giving our thoughts to them if we are going to change the way the see things. It may not work but if you do not try then it WILL NOT work.

 

[BulletTJ]

rippinlips2win - 4/15/2020 12:15 PM

I can tell you that I have had similar interactions with various authorities. The point is that they are forcing us together rather than keeping the ramps open and letting us spread out. Staff at ramps is unnecessary and if they charge, then they all have the boxes for the $. I am over it but I will find a way on the water...it takes all of us giving our thoughts to them if we are going to change the way the see things. It may not work but if you do not try then it WILL NOT work.

They are not FORCING you together. It is an attempt to get you to do what they have asked you to do. STAY HOME unless it is a have too case. Like groceries, pharmacy, Doctor's appointments, or work. SMH

 

[gobigorange]

Actually the governor of Tennessee and twra encouraged people to go fishing and the Governor of Georgia was apparently encouraging people to go to the beaches.

 

[ranger518vx]

I highly agree with jman and Rusty. I don't understand how the local bodies of government can override the Governor. Some encourage you to go out and enjoy the outdoors as long as you keep your distance from others then some turn right around and take it from us. It is bad what the government is forcing upon us right now in every aspect.

 

[Gator]

Is there’s planned date to reopen these State park ramps?

 

[jaygivens70]

Thanks to everyone for getting involved. That is the only way change can occur. i can understand closing campsites in the state parks where crowding can occur. Ramps should be open, and a uniform policy should apply to all in each state. It was pointed out that Twra and other ramps will be overcrowded with overflow from those access points which are closed.