Johnson's Shut-Ins will not be open this summer

ST. LOUIS -- The Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park will not be open this summer because of damage from the Taum Sauk Reservoir collapse, a move that could hurt a region economically dependent on tourists drawn to the popular park.

Johnson's Shut-Ins was devastated in December 2005 when Ameren Corp.'s reservoir failed and sent one billion gallons of water rushing through the area, injuring a family of five and burying much of the park under five feet of soil.

The park was partially opened last year while crews cleaned up a nearby river and did environmental cleanup. But it must shut down entirely this season so repair work can begin on the park, said Missouri Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Kurt Schaefer.

'Nothing for the public'

"It does not appear to us there is any chance that the park will be open," Schaefer said. "There's nothing for the public, there's not access to the Shut-Ins and there are no services available."

The DNR intended to open at least part of the park this summer, but Ameren has refused to press forward with repair work until the state settles legal claims over the reservoir collapse, Schaefer said.

"They have expressed to us that they are not doing any of this until they have a settlement," Schaefer said.

Ameren spokeswoman Susan Gallager said the utility is still optimistic that parts of the park could be reopened this year.

"However, this ambitious goal will only be possible through close coordination between AmerenUE, its contractors and state agency representatives," Gallagher said in an e-mail.

Gallagher did not address whether Ameren is refusing to repair the park until it reaches a settlement with state officials and did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Ameren has been caught in a fight between the DNR and Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The DNR has proposed Ameren pay more than $125 million to the state to settle all claims over the collapse. Nixon is suing the company and the lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages being sought. Nixon is also conducting a criminal investigation into the collapse and has not said if he will press charges.

Schaefer said Ameren will not move forward with settlement talks until it knows whether Nixon plans to file criminal charges.

Nixon's office did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.

The DNR approved Ameren's plan to repair the park more on Feb. 16, Schaefer said. The plan would clean up the shut-ins, rebuild sewer lines for public bathrooms and replace a campground at the park.

The park has not been closed an entire summer since opening in 1955, said DNR spokeswoman Sue Holst.

The park closed for eight months over the winter of 1980 to install an entrance gate and crack down on underage partying that became routine there during the 1970s, Holst said.

Johnson's Shut-Ins is the cornerstone of a tourist-based economy in surrounding Reynolds County. Last summer, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., toured the area and visited business owners. Many of them complained about losing customers as visitation to the park dwindled.

"You take 200,000 to 250,000 people out of the area -- you're going to lose some money," said Dennis Gawronski, owner of Lenny's convenience store in Lesterville.

Tourists were able last summer to walk along a wooden bridge and observe the shut-ins, which are natural pools held within a valley of giant boulders. Before the collapse visitors could swim in the pools, which drew more than 200,000 visitors each summer.

About 70,000 tourists went to the park last summer, according to DNR.

Gawronski said he noticed a 20 percent to 25 percent dip in his business last year. He said this summer he will order fewer items for his shelves to cut down on overhead costs and prepare for lighter traffic.