Item 359 | First Year - FY2007 | Second Year - FY2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Leisure and Recreation Services (50400) | $58,559,217 | $39,008,216 |
| Preservation of Open Space Lands (50401) | FY2007 $23,924,029 | FY2008 $4,524,989 |
| Financial Assistance for Recreational Development (50402) | FY2007 $2,412,241 | FY2008 $2,062,241 |
| Design and Construction of Outdoor Recreational Facilities (50403) | FY2007 $1,037,300 | FY2008 $1,037,300 |
| State Park Management and Operations (50404) | FY2007 $30,460,437 | FY2008 $30,658,476 |
| Natural Outdoor Recreational and Open Space Resource Research, Planning, and Technical Assistance (50406) | FY2007 $725,210 | FY2008 $725,210 |
| Fund Sources: | ||
| General | FY2007 $45,909,031 | FY2008 $26,258,990 |
| Special | FY2007 $10,314,446 | FY2008 $10,413,486 |
| Debt Service | FY2007 $17,107 | FY2008 $17,107 |
| Dedicated Special Revenue | FY2007 $300,000 | FY2008 $300,000 |
| Federal Trust | FY2007 $2,018,633 | FY2008 $2,018,633 |
Authority: Title 10.1, Chapters 1, 2, 2.1, 3, 4, 4.1, and 17, Code of Virginia.
A.1. Out of the amount for Financial Assistance for Recreational Development shall be paid for the operation and maintenance of Breaks Interstate Park, an amount not to exceed $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the second year from the general fund.
2. The Breaks Interstate Park Commission shall submit an annual audit of a fiscal and compliance nature of its accounts and transactions to the Auditor of Public Accounts, the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget.
3. Out of the amounts appropriated for Financial Assistance for Recreational Development, $150,000 the first year from the general fund shall be provided to the Breaks Interstate Park to refurbish an existing 50,000 gallon water tank at the park and assist in the construction of a new 100,000 gallon water tank.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-202, Code of Virginia, amounts deposited to the Conservation and Resources Fund may be used 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 Authority 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.
C. The Department of Conservation and Recreation, in cooperation with the Department of Corrections, shall, to the extent possible, use inmate labor for routine work projects in state parks and natural areas.
D. Included in the amount for Preservation of Open-Space Lands is $1,300,000 $2,250,000 the first year and $1,300,000 the second year from the general fund for the operating expenses of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (Title 10.1, Chapter 18, Code of Virginia).
E. Included in the amount for Preservation of Open Space Lands is $2,500,000 $16,200,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year from the general fund to be deposited into the Virginia Land Conservation Fund, § 10.1-1020, Code of Virginia.
F. Out of the amounts collected pursuant to Item 935 C435 C of this act, on or before June 30, 2007, and June 30, 2008, the Comptroller shall transfer all funds in excess of $6,000,000 collected in each fiscal year to the Virginia Land Conservation Fund to be distributed pursuant to § 10.1-1020, Code of Virginia, for the preservation of open-space lands. There is hereby established a sum sufficient appropriation in the Department of Conservation and Recreation, not to exceed the amount of funds in excess of $6,000,000 per year collected pursuant to Item 935 C 435 C.
G. No funds shall be expended or authorized by the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the development of a state park on the property transferred from the Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center until completion of the park master plan, which shall include adequate opportunity for public participation in the planning process. Nothing in this Item shall preclude the Department from making necessary arrangements to secure the property in accordance with the terms of transfer from the Department of Juvenile Justice or from undertaking alterations necessary for public safety. The Department shall notify the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees 60 days prior to any alterations to the property that are pursuant to development of a state park.
H. Out of the amount for State Park Management and Operations, $650,000 from the general fund is appropriated in the first year and $650,000 in the second year for repair of dams in state parks. Priority should be given to repairs that are necessary to protect life and safety.
I. Out of the amount for Financial Assistance for Recreational Development, $200,000 from the general fund in the first year is provided for acquisition of right-way of abandoned rail bed to further development of the Tobacco Heritage Trail, also known as the Southside Rails-to-Trails project.
J. The Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, at his discretion, is authorized to accept on behalf of the Commonwealth a gift of property known as Grand Caverns Park from the Upper Valley Regional Park Authority. This property is to be developed into a state park and the existing facilities are to be demolished or upgraded to the Division of State Parks' standards when a source of funding has been identified for these purposes. The Director is authorized to make the necessary upgrades to the park facilities to meet Division of State Parks' standards, as funding is available.
K.1. This Item includes funding for components of a land conservation initiative to increase the acres of land in Virginia that are protected from development. Conserving land improves water quality, recreation, and quality of life, and preserves the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Commonwealth.
2. Included in paragraph E of this Item is $13,700,000 in the first year from the general fund for matching grants from the Virginia Land Conservation Fund to promote natural area protection, open spaces and parks, farmlands and forest preservation, and historic area preservation.
3. Included in paragraph D of this Item is $950,000 in the first year from the general fund for operating support for the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to provide assistance to landowners with placing property under conservation easements.
4. This Item includes $99,040 and two positions in the first year from the general fund and in the second year $99,040 and one position from the general fund and $99,040 and one position from nongeneral funds to support the Department of Conservation and Recreation's promotion and administration of land conservation programs. The nongeneral fund appropriation shall be supported by fee revenue from the Land Preservation Tax Program, according to the provisions of Chapters 4 and 5, 2006 Special Session.
5. Out of the amounts for Preservation of Open Space Lands shall be provided $151,920 and two positions in the second year from the general fund to the Department of Historic Resources for administration of the Historic Easement Program.
6. Out of the amounts for Preservation of Open Space Lands shall be provided $5,000,000 in the first year from the general fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the establishment of a state fund to match local government purchase of development rights program funds for the preservation of working farms and forest lands.