435#6c (DCR) Division of State Parks. HB30 - Conference Report

State Budget

1998 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Conference Report)

Bill Order » Item 435 #6c

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Division of State Parks

Item 435 #6c

Item 435 #6c	First Year - FY1999	Second Year - FY2000
Natural Resources
Conservation and Recreation, Department of	FY1999 $850,000	FY2000 $850,000	GF
	FY1999 27.00	FY2000 27.00	FTE

Language
Page 260, line 15, strike "$17,498,546" and insert "$18,348,546".
Page 260, line 15, strike "$17,589,915" and insert "$18,439,915".
Page 262, after line 3, insert:
"K. The amounts for Leisure and Recreation Services include $17,500 the first year and $17,500 the second year from the general fund to assist Fairfax County to match federal and private dollars in order to develop biking and walking trails in Mason Neck."

Explanation
(This amendment provides $1.7 million of general fund support in 1998-2000 to increase state parks staffing by adding 27 new positions, support costs, and equipment. This is a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Virginia's Environment-House Joint Resolution 221 (1997). Included within this appropriation is $17,500 each year for Fairfax County to develop biking and walking trails in Mason Neck.)

Item 435

Item 435	First Year - FY1999	Second Year - FY2000
Leisure and Recreation Services (50400)	$17,498,546	$17,589,915
Preservation of Open-Space Lands (50401)	FY1999 $385,000	FY2000 $395,000
Recreation Assistance and Information (50402)	FY1999 $783,957	FY2000 $783,957
Recreation Facilities Maintenance and Operation (50404)	FY1999 $15,519,083	FY2000 $15,596,475
Recreation Services (50406)	FY1999 $810,506	FY2000 $814,483
Fund Sources:
General	FY1999 $12,433,983	FY2000 $12,525,352
Special	FY1999 $4,248,000	FY2000 $4,248,000
Federal Trust	FY1999 $816,563	FY2000 $816,563

Authority: Title 10.1, Chapters 1, 2, 2.1, 3, 4, 4.1, and 17, Code of Virginia.

A.1. Out of the amounts for Recreation Assistance and Information shall be paid the Commonwealth's matching share of support for the operation and maintenance of Breaks Interstate Park, not to exceed $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund.

2. The Breaks Interstate Parks Commission shall provide quarterly financial reports detailing all revenues and expenditures to the Director of Conservation and Recreation. The Commission shall also submit an annual audit of a fiscal and compliance nature of its accounts and transactions to the Auditor of Public Accounts.

B. The June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, unexpended balances in the subprogram Recreation Assistance and Information, for "Aid in Planning, Acquisition and Development of Regional and Local Parks and Statewide Trails" are hereby reappropriated.

C. Net revenues generated from forest product sales on public park, recreational, and conservation lands owned or managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation shall be deposited in the Conservation Resources Fund (§ 10.1-202, Code of Virginia). From the total revenues collected by the Department, the Department shall reimburse the Department of Forestry or other sources of forestry expertise for their expenses related to the management, harvesting, and reforestation of the Departmental lands.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-202, Code of Virginia, the amounts for Recreation Facilities Maintenance and Operation include $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from special fund revenues from park operations for a program of in-state travel advertising. Such travel advertising shall feature Virginia State Parks and the localities or regions in which the parks are located. To the extent possible the Department shall enter into cooperative advertising agreements with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and local entities, to maximize the effectiveness of expenditures for advertising. The Department is further authorized to enter into a cooperative advertising agreement with the Virginia Association of Broadcasters.

E. All revenue from private concession operations shall be deposited to the Conservation Resources Fund. All revenues from state operated concession operations shall be deposited into the State-Operated Concession Fund.

F. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-202, Code of Virginia, amounts deposited to the Conservation Resources Fund may be used to extend the operating season of various state parks and to provide for an in-house reservation system for the state park system.

G. The Department of Conservation and Recreation, in cooperation with the Department of Corrections, shall increase the use of inmate labor for routine work projects in state parks and natural areas with a goal of utilizing 200 inmates on a full time basis.

H. The Department of Conservation and Recreation may develop and issue proposals for management of three selected state parks by a private vendor on a pilot basis. The State Treasurer, the Attorney General and the Auditor of Public Accounts shall review the form and content of any request for proposal and any subsequent contract. The Department of Planning and Budget shall evaluate any such proposed contract to determine whether or not such contract demonstrates a cost benefit to the Commonwealth when compared to alternative means of providing the proposed services through governmental agencies. Prior to issuing any request for proposal and prior to executing any contract, the Department of Conservation and Recreation shall report its plans to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Conservation and Natural Resources and Appropriations and Senate Committees on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and Finance.

I. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-202, Code of Virginia, the Department will pay from the Conservation Resources Fund $220,000 the first year and $220,000 the second year for debt service payments resulting from the purchase of Kiptopeke State Park authorized by Chapter 878 of the 1992 Acts of Assembly.

J. Included in the amount for Recreation Facilities Maintenance and Operations is $110,117 the first year and $110,117 the second year from the general fund for lease payments through the Master Equipment Lease Program for vehicles and maintenance equipment.