SC State Parks aim to become self-sufficient

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Officials have set a goal for operations at South Carolina’s 47 state parks to pay for themselves by the end of next year.

When Gov. Nikki Haley took office last year, she asked for a review of the parks system to see whether they could be more efficiently administered by the state Department of Natural Resources.

But the park system will stay under the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism because that agency can better market them.

PRT Director Duane Parrish says park operations should be self-sustaining by the end of 2012. He said that means about $4 million more in revenue is needed. PRT recently moved to charge a bit more for cabins or campsites on the water than a similar site in the woods.