HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 81

(By Delegates Dillon, Vance, Dean, and Bridges)

[Introduced February 12, 2024; referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then Rules]

Requesting the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to reinstate Laurel Lake State Park with full financial and operational support.

Whereas, Laurel Lake and Laurel Lake Wildlife Management Area are located in Mingo County; and

Whereas, Residents of the community have sorely missed Laurel Lake State Park since the DNR removed support and delisted the facility as a state park; and

Whereas, The testimony of families in the community indicates that the Division of Natural Resources utilization statistics underestimated the daily patronage of the park by locals; and

Whereas, The increased interest in tourism and trail riding in the area has created a need for such a local attraction to be fully supported; and

Whereas, The former Laurel Lake State Park features historic architecture and stonework from the Civilian Conservation Corps; and

Whereas, Laurel Lake State Park features flora and fauna which uniquely exhibit the ecosystems of southern West Virginia; and

Whereas, Laurel Lake State Park, when operational, provides families with a low-cost and convenient place for picnics, reunions, and other social functions of the community; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature requests the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to reinstate Laurel Lake State Park with full financial and operational support; and be it.

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Division of Natural Resources