(Columbia) July 5, 2003 - Department of Natural
Resources called out reserves this holiday weekend. Most
days, the department is getting by with a much smaller
workforce.
Robert McCullough, with DNR, explains how the
shortage of workers effects the department, "Within the
four counties that surround Lake Murray there are
40,000-plus registered boats. And we've got 18 people if
everybody has a boat to cover it. That's if everybody's
working at one time."
Statewide budget cuts have left DNR with 73 fewer
officers. And safety could be suffering.
Already this year, 19 people have died in South
Carolina boating accidents. That compares to 14 deaths
all of last year.
Robert McCullough says that patrolling the lake is
important, "You have a tendency when you don't see one
of us out patrolling in the boat that you might can do a
little more and not have to worry about having your
safety equipment with you and you get a little lax, but
when you see us, it makes you, reminds you of those
things and keeps you cognizant of the fact that you need
to be safe."
The personnel shortage comes at an awkward time.
Heavy rains have raised water levels in many lakes and
rivers, while the draw down to build a new backup dam at
Lake Murray has lowered the waterline, exposing new
hazards that are often hard to spot.
Some areas that appear to be out in the middle of the
lake, are actually only about a foot or two deep. Anyone
who hits that, going full speed, would be in real
trouble.
Kari Lott, of Chapin, says the lower water is keeping
many boaters on shore, "Coming in with all the two
marinas being right here, the traffic in there was
always, you know you had to watch for boats constantly.
And today we only saw like three or four."
But DNR says with fewer officers on patrol, boaters
venturing out on South Carolina waterways will have to
take more responsibility for their own safety.
DNR can call up reserve officers from a group of
about 280. Many have other full-time jobs within the
department.
By Jack
Kuenzie
Posted 9:30pm by Eva
Pilgrim
