S NR SCR ORG2 3-5

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 89

(By Senators Laird, McCabe, Cookman, Facemire and Walters)

[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study reassigning the operation of Berwind, Laurel Lake, Plum Orchard, Bluestone and Panther Wildlife Management Areas to the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources.

    Whereas, Five wildlife management areas--Berwind, Laurel Lake, Plum Orchard, Bluestone and Panther--were assigned without express statutory authority in the late 1970s to the Parks and Recreation Section of the Division of Natural Resources to operate; and

    Whereas, No additional recreational facilities were ever developed on these areas beyond what existed at the time of transfer by the Parks and Recreation Section; and

    Whereas, These wildlife management areas remain primarily for the benefit and enjoyment of hunters and anglers due to their rustic nature and designation as wildlife management areas; and

    Whereas, The wildlife management areas provide valuable wildlife habitats and in order to maintain the same requires the skill and expertise of wildlife managers and biologists with the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources; and

    Whereas, These wildlife management areas cost the Parks and Recreation Section over $800,000 to operate and maintain. In light of budget deficits and the closure of various recreational amenities in the Parks and Recreation Section, such as the “soft” closure of Hawks Nest State Park, transfer of these wildlife management areas back to the Wildlife Resources Section will alleviate the budget crisis for state parks; and

    Whereas, These wildlife management areas are eligible for federal Pittman-Robertson Act funds, while state parks with recreational amenities are not. Panther also receives mineral royalties that are not shared with parks; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study reassigning the operation of Berwind, Laurel Lake, Plum Orchard, Bluestone and Panther Wildlife Management Areas to the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.