Committee Substitute

for

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 3

(By Senators Maynard, Rucker, and Karnes)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization; reported April 6, 2021]

Urging the United States Congress to reopen public lands in the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, Off-highway vehicle recreation has demonstrated a tremendous economic benefit of at least $43 billion throughout the United States and to West Virginia, in particular; and

Whereas, West Virginia has an unparalleled opportunity to replace lost jobs with new employment supporting off-highway vehicle recreation; and

Whereas, West Virginia currently suffers from the highest rates of drug overdose deaths, and the actual number of deaths due to opioid overdose has quadrupled since 2010, but wilderness therapy programs, outdoor recreation, and off-highway vehicle recreation have demonstrated positive health effects for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and individuals with opioid addictions; and

Whereas, off-highway vehicle recreation can provide greater access to the state’s public lands for disabled persons; and

Whereas, The public benefits of maintaining West Virginia’s recreation economy, opportunities for outdoor therapy, the adventure travel industry, and providing access for disabled persons to the state’s public lands, provide powerful reasons to restore full access to nationally managed public lands in this state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby urges the United States Congress to reopen public lands in the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the representatives and senators elected by the citizens of West Virginia serving the citizens of West Virginia in the Congress of the United States in Washington, D. C.