HB 4408 is similar to SB 485 and will extend the lease terms for private companies on public lands from 20 years to 50 years, and permit new 50-year private development projects – all with no controls of what can be built, no public comment and participation opportunities, and no environmental studies of the impact of these private projects. Some concerns include:  

•  Currently law allows a private company to run existing facilities at 6 state parks on a 10-year lease with an option to renew the lease for 10 additional years.  
• SB 485 would extend the initial lease to a 30-year term, with an option to renew for 20 more years.  
• The bill would allow private investors to build and operate NEW facilities in all our state parks for up to 50 years.  
• Most troublesome, there is NO code provision to restrict the type of new facilities allowed. Casinos, racetracks, amusement parks, or similar developments could be built on our state parks and state forests.
• There is no provision in the legislation for public hearing requirement prior to any new private development. We may not have the opportunity to study and comment on a proposed new project – a project that will last for 50 years.  
• There is no provision for studying the economic and environmental impacts of these new 50-year projects.  
• The inability to attract private investors to develop public lands is not limited to West Virginia.  Nationwide, state park leaders have not been able to attract private investors to finance and build state park facilities. 

West Virginia has a long history of investors not concerned with our lands. Investors do not have the same ties to our land and to our communities. HB 4408 allows investor interests to take over our state lands.