SB 485 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. 

 SB 562 is simply not necessary, and creates unnecessary governmental regulations.   

• WV public lands already have an adopt-a-trail program. Currently, local state park superintendents and other public land managers designate needs and work with volunteers.
• At least 24 local park and forest foundations exist. SB 562 will require disbanding all of these local efforts, and sets specific criteria for the volunteer organizations (number of required hours, number of group members, designating types of allowable projects, and so on). In the past, many groups could not meet such minimums, and local managers were able to plan programs based on available volunteers.  
• Groups would have to work with a State Agency (which just cannot have the local knowledge of a local superintendent/manager and local groups). 
• The bill is also vague. For example, the term trail “enhancements” is unclear. Could an “enhancement” be widening a foot path to allow off road vehicles?  
• This bill is supported by the national BlueRibbon Coalition, comprised of members representing motorized vehicle recreation.  

These two bills are an attempt to convert our public lands – enjoyed by everybody – to private control and to take away successful local volunteer programs and replace them with unclear state programs. Our public lands are located in rural areas all over the state and bring jobs to local communities.

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. SB 485 allows investor interests to take over our state lands. SB 562 would replace successful local efforts with unclear and unneeded state regulations.