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Mar
2
Written by:
news editor
3/2/2009 1:00 AM
02/27/09 The Ohio State Park and Recreational Area Study Committee released a report today, detailing the budget challenges of State Parks and recreational areas managed by ODNR.
Committee Offers Recommendations for
Future Sustainability of State Parks
Ohio State Park and Recreational Area Study Committee Report
presented to Ohio General Assembly and Administration
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio State Park and Recreational Area Study Committee released a report today, detailing the budget challenges of State Parks and recreational areas managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The report also includes recommendations to achieve adequate funding levels and provides several ideas for potential revenue-generating models to be considered and further explored by the Ohio General Assembly and the administration.
The nine member legislatively-appointed committee was established in June of 2008 to examine the status of current and future budget needs of state parks and recreational areas. Due to steady decreases in the General Revenue Fund (GRF), divisions such as State Parks, Forestry, Natural Areas and Preserves and Soil and Water Conservation which rely on GRF as a primary source of funding, have been significantly impacted. In fact, the Department's staff is approximately two-thirds the size it was in 1992.
In the report, the committee concludes that it would take approximately $96.5 million a year to sustain operations of State Parks, Forests, Natural Areas and Preserves, Canal Lands as well as the programs and services within Soil and Water Conservation. Currently, the divisions are operating at funding level of approximately $70 million. The report concludes that an annual capital allotment of $29.9 million would allow the land-holding divisions considered in the report to eliminate their capital maintenance backlogs within 10 to 20 years.
In order to provide these divisions with adequate funding, the committee recommended several short-term and long-term funding options be explored by the Ohio General Assembly and the administration.
Short-term funding solutions include recommendations that would reverse the growing capital maintenance backlog trend, such as reforming the legislative earmarking process. The Study Committee also believes that potential revenue from oil and gas development on State Park land could address a mounting capital maintenance backlog and recommends more research and study in this subject.
Long-term funding recommendations include several special use fees as a source for supporting State Park and recreational areas operations, such as real estate transfer fees, water connection fees and fees on plastic bags or containers. The Study Committee also recommends that potential future revenue streams set aside proceeds for State Parks and recreational areas, such as casino gambling revenues, royalties and taxes generated from wind energy development in Lake Erie, and increases in the state sales tax.
ODNR Director Sean D. Logan, chairman of the committee, expressed concerns regarding a tax increase of any kind.
"Due to the current economic climate and uncertainty of our economic future, a tax increase is not a viable option," said Logan.
For more information, download a copy of the committee's report.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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