Sevier County to help fund park staffing if federal shutdown closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mayor Larry Waters told the Sevier County Commission on Oct. 16 that the county would join state and local partners to keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open in the event of a federal government shutdown.

The commission approved Resolution 2023-10-01, authorizing the county mayor to enter agreements with the State of Tennessee, the State of North Carolina, local cities, Blount County, the park service and the Department of the Interior to fund staffing and operations if Congress delays appropriations. The motion passed by roll call vote, 21 yes, 4 absent.

"At this time, it cost $75,000 (seventy-five thousand dollars) per day to keep the park open," Mayor Larry Waters said, describing a cost-share arrangement he said had been discussed among partners. "It had been agreed upon that the State of Tennessee would pay 50%, North Carolina 20%, and County as well others involved would cover the rest." He said the Department of the Interior recommended that a single entity lead the effort and that participating entities had agreed to share costs.

According to Waters, payments would be made up front for seven-day windows and reassessed at the end of each window; if the federal government reopens mid-window, any unused funds would be refunded to participating entities. The resolution instructs the mayor's office to finalize agreements consistent with that framework.

The action is intended as a temporary contingency to maintain staffing and visitor access during lapses in federal appropriations. The commission did not specify which single entity would serve as the lead; the mayor indicated that discussions had included state, county and municipal partners and the National Park Service.

The commission approved the resolution and recorded the vote as 21 in favor and 4 absent.