Clay's Corner: Growth and Change
Things are changing at Lake James State Park, just as things always seem to do. In the past couple of years, the park staff family has seen retirements, promotions, new employees, births and deaths. Possibly the biggest change we are undergoing as of late is the construction of a 6,000-square-foot visitor center that will house new offices, an exhibit hall, gift shop and classroom.
The rules and regulations enforced by rangers within the park have also seen some important changes during the past several years.
Since 1988, North Carolina State Park Rangers have been commissioned as law enforcement officers. They receive the same training and carry the same powers of arrest, search and seizure as any other state or local law enforcement agency. Rangers are charged with the protection of natural resources and facilities within the state park, as well as visitor protection and safety. When necessary, rangers have access to any general statute on the books in the state of North Carolina, as well as a special set of rules and regulations strictly governing state park property. Falling under the North Carolina Administrative Code, these rules govern such things as the protection of plants and animals within the park, the use of alcohol inside the park, carrying firearms in the park, and when and where you can have a fire or camp. These are just a few of the regulations rangers must be familiar with, clearly communicate to visitors and enforce. Enforcement is most often accomplished with simple warnings or citations when necessary.
Since their inception, a violation of these regulations has been a Class 3 misdemeanor, carrying a noticeable fine and court cost. While the occasional violator needs some hard-hitting consequences, that is not the case for the vast majority of interactions that rangers have with the general public each year. Education and verbal warnings far exceed any other actions that are necessary to protect the park and its visitors. Even when a verbal warning does not suffice, it’s often possible to avoid charging someone with a misdemeanor. We have long recognized this and thankfully, at our recommendation, state legislators have as well. With guidance from NC State Parks, the legislature recently voted to reduce several park regulations to infractions rather than misdemeanors. This action in no way reduces the importance of the regulations affected, but it does significantly reduce the fines and court cost for violating them.
Some of the regulations you’ll see as infractions now are: parking, fishing and swimming in undesignated areas, taking glassware onto the beach area, washing animals, clothes or vehicles within the park and operating your boat or canoe inside the swimming area. All are common offenses that rangers encounter throughout the park system. While usually not a problem at Lake James State Park, parking is a hot commodity at some parks throughout the state. Arrive early if you plan to visit, especially on a summer weekend or holiday, and park in a designated parking space – not on the grass, on the side of the road or in a way that would impede traffic in any way. All other violations of park regulations still remain a misdemeanor. For some light reading, you can review them at www.ncparks.gov/parkrules.
As times change, visitation increases and technology improves it’s sometimes necessary that we add regulations. We’ve recently added or are considering rules regarding drones, electric bikes, carrying concealed firearms and visitors entering or remaining in the park after posted operating hours. Issuing citations is not a task that rangers take lightly, but we will not hesitate to protect the people’s park. Protecting these naturally wonderful and wild places for generations to come is an endeavor that is well worth it. We hope you enjoy your state parks. We rangers certainly do enjoy protecting them. One thing is certain regardless; growth and change will always be a part of the equation.