SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 27
(By Senators Caruth, Yost, Oliverio, Browning, Wells, Green,
Prezioso, Unger and Plymale)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study pay
rates between West Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection staff and those of regulatory programs in other
states and private industry.
Whereas, Recently the West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection's Division of Mining and Reclamation
(WVDEP-DMR) has experienced substantial turnover of mining
inspectors and technical permit review staff; and
Whereas, At least part of this high turnover appears to be
attributable to the disparity between salaries available within the
WVDEP-DMR and those in private industry; and
Whereas, The high turnover rates often result in a regulatory
staff that is inexperienced; and
Whereas, High turnover rates of technical permit review staff
have hindered the agency's ability to review and issue technically
sounds permits in a timely fashion; and
Whereas, Further complicating this issue is the aging nature
of the WVDEP-DMR's most experienced senior staff, all of whom are
approaching retirement age; and
Whereas, Replacing these program managers will be extremely
difficult with high turnover and the inability to attract
qualified, experienced personnel to the agency; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study pay rates between West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection staff and those of regulatory programs in
other states and private industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance also conduct a study to determine ways to create an
internship and training program at the DEP to recruit, with the
guarantee of employment, young students and new college graduates
in the technical fields such as engineering, geology and water
chemistry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2010, 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.