S NR SCR ORG1 3-5

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 88

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

[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the financial sustainability and profitability of amenities at West Virginia state parks and state forests, such as golf courses, skiing, tubing, swimming pools, picnic shelters, horseback riding, hiking and biking trails, nature centers, naturalist programming, wildlife and bird watching, children’s programming, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, boating, skeet shooting and hunting and fishing.

    Whereas, The mission of the West Virginia state parks and state forests has been to promote conservation by preserving and protecting natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic scientific, cultural, archeological or historical significance and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for the citizens of this state and its visitors; and

    Whereas, West Virginia state parks and state forests attract approximately 6.5 million visitors per year and contribute over $126 million of economic activity to the state; and

    Whereas, State parks and state forests provide numerous amenities to their visitors and guests, including golf courses, skiing, tubing, swimming pools, picnic shelters, horseback riding, hiking and biking trails, nature centers, naturalist programming, wildlife and bird watching, children’s programming, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, boating, skeet shooting and hunting and fishing; and

    Whereas, The state park and state forest amenities are necessary to encourage out-of-state guests to visit and stay in the parks and forests and spend money in the area to help the local economy; and

    Whereas, More importantly, West Virginia citizens rely on state park and state forest amenities for their own enjoyment and recreational use; and

    Whereas, For many local residents, the state parks and state forests are the only venue for outdoor recreation; they are the only local venues for picnics, family reunions, church outings, weddings, golfing, playgrounds for children, safe swimming areas, ball courts, safe hiking and biking and teaching youngsters to hunt, fish and experience nature; and

    Whereas, Proudly, the State of West Virginia can say that many state park and state forest amenities are offered free-of-charge or at a low cost to guests and citizens; and

    Whereas, As a result of this, state park and state forest amenities are not monetarily profitable when singled out and evaluated individually, but yet, as a whole, they generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activities and are greatly profitable to citizens’ quality of life; and

    Whereas, State park and state forest amenities are essential to economic development, family values, preserving our cultural heritage, preserving the state’s most beautiful natural and historic areas, promoting healthy lifestyles and fighting obesity and diabetes and exposing children and adults to outdoor sports and recreation; and

    Whereas, State park and state forest amenities cannot be evaluated solely based upon their profitability; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the financial sustainability and profitability of amenities at West Virginia state parks and state forests, such as golf courses, skiing, tubing, swimming pools, picnic shelters, horseback riding, hiking and biking trails, nature centers, naturalist programming, wildlife and bird watching, children’s programming, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, boating, skeet shooting and hunting and fishing; 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.