2016-2017 Annual Report
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2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Honorable Kay Ivey Governor of Alabama State Capitol Montgomery, AL 36130 Dear Governor Ivey: I am pleased to submit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2016-17. The Department continues to find more efficient ways to communicate and con- duct business with our constituents. License purchases, special hunt registrations and park lodge and camping reservations are available through our websites, www.outdooralabama.com and www.alapark.com. In addition, we are communi- cating to more than half a million people through email newsletters and notices. Funds derived from the cap on sales tax discounts were restored to State Parks in FY 2017. These funds have provided much-needed relief in addressing the back- log of park maintenance projects. Park guests totaled just under 5 million this fiscal year. The federal management of red snapper and other reef fish continues to be a highly volatile issue within the fishing community. Our Marine Resources Division is working with federal agencies and Congress to provide more state oversight of this fishery and a longer season for anglers. Snapper Check, which continued for the fourth year, is an important part of this effort. The State Lands Division has administered the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) on behalf of the State of Alabama since its beginning in 2005. During the life of this program, which closed this year, State Lands administered 49 grants for over $58 million funding various coastal project activities supporting Mobile and Baldwin counties. Participation in the state’s Game Check system for the recording and reporting of both deer and turkey harvests became mandatory during the 2016/2017 hunting seasons. Though participation in this system had been voluntary in the past, few hunters utilized it. Initial estimates are that roughly 35 percent of deer harvests and 40 percent of turkey harvests were recorded in the first year of mandatory partic- ipation. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries will continue to educate hunters on the importance of using Game Check and enforce the law for those who do not comply. These are just a few of the accomplishments you will find in this report. Thank you for your support and leadership to our agency and the State of Alabama. Sincerely, Christopher M. Blankenship Commissioner 3 Overview 5 TABLE OF Conservation Advisory Board 6 CONTENTS Administrative 8 Organizational Chart 9 Marine Resources 12 Banner Year for Artificial Reef Zones 16 State Lands 18 Coastal Impact Assistance Program Completes Its Mission 28 State Parks 30 Parks Increases Technology to Serve Users More Effectively 36 Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries 38 Mandatory Game Check – What Did We Learn? 52 4 DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is an executive and administrative Department of the State of Alabama created by statute. The Commissioner, appointed by the Governor as a member of her cabinet, advises the Governor and Legislature on management of freshwater fish, wildlife, marine resources, waterway safety, state lands, state parks, and other natural resources. Scope of Operations and to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy these resources. The Department’s scope of operations includes the administra- tion, management and maintenance of 21 state parks, 23 pub- Funding lic fishing lakes, three freshwater fish hatcheries, one aquatic The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resourc- biodiversity center, 162 public boat ramps, 30 wildlife manage- es receives no General Fund support. Funding for the Depart- ment areas, 6 special opportunity areas, 12 shooting ranges, a ment is generated through special revenues, which include saltwater mariculture center, and 645,000 acres of trust lands federal money, cigarette taxes, user and license fees, mandated managed for the benefit of several state agencies, the General interest from endowment and federal regulations. The Forever Fund and Alabama Trust Fund. Other Departmental functions Wild Program received interest income from the Alabama Trust include maintenance of a State Land Resource Information Cen- Fund. Specific revenue sources for the four operational divisions ter and administration of the Forever Wild Land Trust program. are as follows: Organization Marine Resources: Saltwater fishing licenses, fines, ma- rine gas tax and federal grants. Marine Resources also During Fiscal Year 2017, the Department had four operational has an endowment but it has not grown enough to divisions and seven support sections. The operational divisions enhance operations. were Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Support sections were Accounting, State Lands: Management fees from the sale of timber, min- Engineering, Information and Education, Information Tech- erals and various leases on state lands administered under nology, Legal, Personnel and Payroll, and Property Inventory. the Lands Asset Management Program. Further, the division The Commissioner was advised by a 13-member Conservation receives additional federal grants that support specific Advisory Board. programs. Division directors managed the Department’s programs under State Parks: User-generated funds in the form of entrance, their jurisdiction through authority delegated by the Legisla- rental, lodging, golf and other recreational fees. State ture and the Commissioner. Concerted efforts were made to Parks received a modest amount of funding from cigarette balance needs and requirements against resources and avail- tax revenue. able funding to satisfy present and future public and resource requirements. Active public education and voluntary participa- Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Fishing and hunting tion programs were expanded and new plans were implement- licenses and permits; fines; waterfowl stamps; federal al- ed to achieve maximum multiple-use benefits consistent with locations from excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, resource conservation. archery gear and some fishing tackle; and federal grants. Interest income continues to be generated by the Game and Fish endowment fund for resident lifetime hunting Department Goals and fishing licenses. Direct donations and voluntary state The Department’s major goal is to promote the statewide income tax refund check-offs for the Nongame Wildlife stewardship and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources Program continue to decrease from previous fiscal years. 5 CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD The Conservation Advisory Board, created by statute, is com- Governor’s approval, the Board can amend, make any changes, posed of 10 members appointed by the Governor for alter- repeal or create and promulgate additional rules and regula- nating terms of six years and three ex-officio members in the tions. The Board also assists in publicizing the Department’s persons of the Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture and programs and activities. Industries, and the Director of the Alabama Cooperative Exten- sion System. The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Meetings Resources serves as the ex-officio secretary of the Board. The Advisory Board met two times during FY 2017: n The Advisory Board assists in formulating policies for the De- February 11, 2017, at the State Capitol Auditorium partment of Conservation, examines all rules and regulations in Montgomery, Ala. and makes recommendations for their change or amendment. n March 4, 2017, at Lake Guntersville State Park By a two-thirds vote of the members present and with the in Guntersville, Ala. Conservation Advisory Board Members as of Sept. 30, 2017 Members Home Town Term Expires Dr. Warren Strickland, Chairman Huntsville September 30, 2017 Austin Ainsworth Guntersville September 30, 2017 Brock Jones Boligee March 28, 2021 Patrick Cagle Montgomery March 28, 2021 Joseph Dobbs, Jr. Birmingham March 28, 2021 Grady Hartzog Eufaula March 28, 2021 Raymond Jones, Jr. Huntsville May 9, 2019 Jeff Martin Pell City May 9, 2019 Ben C. Stimpson, Jr. Mobile September 30, 2017 Gary Wolfe Fairhope March 28, 2021 Ex-officio Members Kay Ivey, Governor, State of Alabama Gary Lemme, Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University John McMillan, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Ex-officio Secretary of the Board Christopher M. Blankenship, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 6 BUDGETS Total ACTUAL 2017 Total BUDGETED 2018 Total REQUESTED 2019 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,046 1,164 1,149 UNENCUMBERED CASH BALANCE FORWARD 33,026,222 23,932,445 14,615,505 Marine Resources - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 650,150 697,000 565,000 Marine Resources - Commerce 612,549 858,000 691,000 Marine Resources - Interior 592,854 1,600,000 1,300,000 Game & Fish - Interior 21,665,902 17,100,660 23,850,000 Game & Fish - Misc 60,605 125,000 142,000 Lands - Commerce 6,619,349 12,098,511 9,870,384 Lands - Interior 0 1,000,000 1,000,000 Restore Act 0 0 146,201,500 Total Federal Funding 30,201,409 33,479,171 183,619,884 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 3,630,605 5,100,000 6,800,000 Licenses and Permits 22,955,858 23,432,850 20,843,750 Land Management Fees 6,315,294 4,100,000 5,500,000 User Fees 37,511,256 36,231,474 37,412,662 Timber Sales 228,551 400,000 375,000 Fines 786,306 735,000 740,000 Trust Fund Interest (MR and WFF) 839,137 655,000 595,000 Other 5,025,002 2,227,350 5,123,300 Total Departmental Related Receipts 77,292,009 72,881,674