CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    The General Government appropriation has received a $1.451 million or a 13.02% proposed budget increase. Of this amount $1.3 million is for normal program increases and $151,000 in new funding is part of a $21.983 million program revision for economic development in the Department of Community and Economic Development. CNR=s $151,000 piece of the program revision will be to Ahighlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities throughout Commonwealth communities@.

    State Park Operations will receive a $6.697 million increase. Included in this amount is $900,000 more than requested by the Governor. Of this amount, $2.097 million will be for ongoing program increases and $1.2 million will be for additional major maintenance projects. $1.0 million is part of the economic development program revision in the Department of Community Development and Economic Development. It will be used to electrify various campsites within the State park system to encourage greater visitation and economic growth. Additionally, $20,000 will be used, as part of a statewide program revision, to promote access to State recreation facilities for persons with disabilities and $1.480 million will be used to make structural improvements to State Park facilities to accommodate access for persons with disabilities.

    The State Forest Operations appropriation has received a $588,000 or a 4.28% decrease. When this appropriation has decreased in the past, operational shortfalls were made up by an increase in augmenting revenues from the sale of timber. This augmentation is expected to increase from $18.9 to $22.989 million in the budget year.

    The Forest Pest Management appropriation has decreased by $1.002 million or 30.74%. This budget reflects a lower expectation of forest pest infestations next year.

    The conference committee on the budget added $2.0 million to the appropriation for Heritage & Other Parks thereby increasing this appropriation by $650,000 over the current years funding. The appropriation for Fy 98-99 is $4.750 million.