By Alabama Public Radio
Gulf Shores, AL – State Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley says an arbitrator should settle the state's insurance claim for hurricane damage at Gulf State Park. Hurricane Ivan damaged the facility last September. Lawley wrote a letter to the State Insurance Fund, saying the Conservation Department is owed 38 million dollars. But he says the State Insurance Fund wants to wait until all flood insurance claims are paid. Lawley says he wants the insurance money to build an exhibit hall. It would be placed next to a 350-room hotel the state is planing to build at the park. Those plans are currently in litigation.