ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT 1 BRAD LACKEY 2 The 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 the scal year ending September 30, 2019. The Department continues to nd new ways to serve the public while adhering to our mission of promoting the wise stewardship and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources for current and future generations. In 2019, Gulf State Park was named Attraction of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department. This distinction was due in part to the grand opening of the park’s new lodge, the rst at the park since Hurricane Ivan destroyed the previous lodge in 2004. Gulf State Park’s Eagle Cottages were also included in National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World Program. The cottages are one of seven locations in the U.S. to be included in the program with only 55 lodges in the program worldwide. We can now offer world-class destinations within one of the most beautiful state parks along the Gulf Coast. The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division’s Adult Mentored Hunting Program continued to be a successful tool for recruiting hunters, bringing in 88 new hunters to participate in 13 adult mentored hunting events. Programs like this build on our already-established youth hunting programs with a goal of creating more hunters who will purchase the licenses that provide so much of the Department’s revenue. The 2019 red snapper shing season was managed under an Exempted Fishing Permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The season was originally scheduled for 27 days but was expanded to 38 days due to the exibility of the state man- agement of this shery. Nearly 1.71 million pounds of red snapper were landed by recreational sherman in Alabama, making it a successful season for anglers while providing an economic boost to the state. Alabama State Lands Division staff continued providing administrative support to the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act program by overseeing the disbursement of funds and providing support to the awarded entities. In 2019, 15 awards totaling approxi- mately $27.5 million were made to fund projects such as marine debris and shoreline cleanup, coastal watershed enhancements, and improved boating access. Additionally, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources received special recognition by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation with the presentation of the 2019 State Agency of the Year Award at the 16th Annual National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Greensboro, Georgia. The recognition highlights our efforts to promote hunting and shing as well as our stewardship of the state’s natural resources including white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, and red snapper. These are just a few of the accomplishments you will nd in this report. Thank you for your support and leadership to our agency and the State of Alabama. Sincerely, Christopher M. Blankenship Commissioner 3 TABLE OF Overview 5 Conservation Advisory Board 6 CONTENTS Budget 7 Organizational Chart 8 Administrative 9 Marine Resources 16 Wild Oyster Production in Alabama’s Estuarine Waters 20 State Lands 22 State Lands and Forever Wild: Building Partnerships with Local Communities to Increase Public Access and Enhance Economic Impact 30 State Parks 32 Partnering For a Better Park System 38 COVER PHOTOS: FISHERMAN AT FORT MORGAN Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries 40 SAM SUMLIN TURKEY AND HUNTER GARRET GASTON Special Opportunity Areas JUVENILE ALLIGATOR GULF STATE PARK (SOA), Good or Bad? JENNA A. CROVO The Survey Says... 54 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 Com- missioner, appointed by the Governor as a member of her cabinet, advises the Governor and Legislature on management of freshwater sh, wildlife, marine resources, state lands, state parks, and other natural resources. Scope of Operations Department Goals The Department’s scope of operations includes the admin- The Department’s major goal is to promote the statewide istration, management and maintenance of 21 state parks, stewardship and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources and to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy 23 public shing lakes, three freshwater sh hatcheries, one these resources. aquatic biodiversity center, 162 public boat ramps, 30 wildlife management areas, six special opportunity areas, 12 shooting Funding ranges, a saltwater mariculture center, and 645,000 acres of Funding for the Department is generated through special trust lands managed for the benet of several state agencies, revenues, which include federal programs, cigarette taxes, and the state’s General Fund and the Alabama Trust Fund. Oth- user and license fees, mandated interest from endowment and er departmental functions include maintenance of a State Land Deepwater Horizon oil spill funds. The Forever Wild Land Trust Resource Information Center and administration of the Forever received interest income from the Alabama Trust Fund. Specic revenue sources for the four operational divisions are as follows: Wild Land Trust program. Marine Resources: Saltwater shing licenses, nes, marine gas tax, and federal grants. Marine Resources also Organization has an endowment, but it has not grown enough to During Fiscal Year 2019, the Department had four operational enhance operations. divisions and seven support sections. The operational divisions State Lands: Management fees from the sale of timber, were Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife minerals and various leases on state lands administered and Freshwater Fisheries. Support sections were Accounting, under the Lands Asset Management Program. Further, Engineering, Information and Education, Information Tech- the division receives additional federal grants that support nology, Legal, Personnel and Payroll, Property Inventory, and specic programs. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Restoration. The Commissioner was State Parks: User-generated funds in the form of entrance, advised by a 13-member Conservation Advisory Board. rental, lodging, golf, and other recreational fees. State Parks received a modest amount of funding from cigarette tax revenue. Division directors managed the Department’s programs under their jurisdiction through authority delegated by the Legislature Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Fishing and hunting and the Commissioner. Concerted efforts were made to balance licenses and permits; nes; waterfowl stamps; federal al- needs and requirements against resources and available funding locations from excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, to satisfy present and future public and resource requirements. archery gear and some shing tackle; and federal grants. Interest income continues to be generated by the Game Active public education and voluntary participation programs and Fish endowment fund for resident lifetime hunting were expanded, and new plans were implemented to and shing licenses. Direct donations and voluntary state achieve maximum multiple-use benets consistent with income tax refund check-offs for the Nongame Wildlife resource conservation. Program continue to decrease from previous scal 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-ofcio 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-ofcio secretary of the Board. The Advisory Board met two times during FY 2019: n March 9, 2019, at the State Capitol Auditorium in The Advisory Board assists in formulating policies for the De- Montgomery, Alabama. partment of Conservation, examines all rules and regulations and makes recommendations for their change or amendment. n May 4, 2019, at the Lodge at Gulf State Park in By a two-thirds vote of the members present and with the Gulf Shores, Alabama. Conservation Advisory Board Members as of Sept. 30, 2019 Members Hometown Term Expires Joseph Dobbs, Jr., Chairman Birmingham March 28, 2021 Greg Barksdale Hanceville September 30, 2023 Brock Jones Boligee March 28, 2021 Patrick Cagle Montgomery March 28, 2021 Grady Hartzog Eufaula March 28, 2021 Raymond Jones, Jr. Huntsville May 9, 2025 Je Martin Pell City May 9, 2025 Ben C. Stimpson, Jr. Mobile September 30, 2023 Gary Wolfe Fairhope March 28, 2021 Tim Wood Selma September 30, 2023 Ex-ofcio Members Kay Ivey, Governor, State of Alabama Gary Lemme, Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University Rick Pate, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Ex-ofcio Secretary of the Board Christopher M. Blankenship, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 6 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Overview of 2021 Budget Request: ACTUAL 2019 BUDGETED 2020 REQUESTED 2021 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,017 1,178 1,187 UNENCUMBERED CASH BALANCE FORWARD 63,356,728 64,093,306