HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 31


(By Mr. Speaker. Mr. Chambers, and Delegates Burk, McKinley, Kiss, Browning, Flanigan, Ashcraft, Spencer, Brown, Staton, Manuel, Higgins, Pethtel, Pettit, Walters, Leach, Phillips, Farris, Houvouras, Doyle, Fealy, McGraw, Brum, Warner, Preece, Dempsey, Douglas, Sorah, Fragale, D. Cook, Compton, Petersen, Linch, Mezzatesta, S. Williams, Faircloth, Oliverio, Rutledge, Paxton, H. White and Kessel)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the diverse impacts of, and future funding options for, the Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program.

Whereas , It is estimated that nongame wildlife and other natural heritage pursuits enrich the lives of over 1.2 million West Virginia citizens; and

 Whereas , West Virginia residents contribute over $60,000,000 annually to the State's economy through nongame wildlife and natural heritage-related expenditures; and
 Whereas , Nongame wildlife and natural heritage resources draw some 267,000 visitors to the State annually, generating $110,000,000 in tourism income; and
 Whereas , Maintaining diversity of the State of West Virginia's unique nongame wildlife and plant communities is critical to the economy and quality of life in West Virginia; and
 Whereas , The Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program is charged with the stewardship of over 90% of our State's wildlife resources and rare plant resources; and
 Whereas , The Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program has lacked permanent adequate funding to carry out the stewardship of West Virginia's nongame wildlife and plant resources; and
 Whereas , The $400,000 general revenue appropriation currently in the Governor's 1995 budget constitutes an important beginning for funding the Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program; and
 Whereas , The Legislature recognizes the need for future permanent and adequate funding in order for the Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program to continue and strengthen its stewardship goals; therefore, be it
 Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That a study committee be appointed by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate to include three members each of the House and Senate, the Director of the Division of Natural Resources, a staff member of the Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program of the Division of Natural Resources, a representative from the Division of Parks and Tourism, two members of the environmental community, a member of the Nongame Advisory Council, a member of the current Nongame/Natural Heritage Committee, two professional ecologists from universities in West Virginia, two industry representatives, and two members of the hunting and fishing community; and, be it
 Further Resolved , That the committee examine the benefits and potential of the nongame wildlife assets of West Virginia, to examine funding needs of the Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program, to make recommendations, expand the public's appreciation of nongame wildlife through presentations, programs and reports, and to develop recommendations to the Legislature for future permanent and adequate funding methods; and, be it
 Further Resolved , That the committee report to the regular session of the Legislature by January 15, 1995, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations.