2009-2010 Annual Report - Alabama Department of Conservation ...

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n salvage operations were conducted on two parks that totaled 280 acres. Tree planting initiatives on approximately 102 acres were also accomplished at Gulf State Park. Trapping and relocation of giant Canada Geese also continues as necessary, in various State Parks. Natural Resources personnel reviewed and commented on hundreds of environmental compliance permit requests and reviewed and approved numerous collection permit applications where appropriate. Land encroachment, boundary line disputes/discrepancies and conflicts are handled continuously. In this effort, the section continues to upgrade Alabama State Parks deed files to establish procedures to maintain verified boundaries. n n n wildland fire behavior and prescription burn practices. Seek greater awareness of State Parks through articles in magazines and other publications. Assist in the production of trail maps and natural resource management brochures and increase public communication to strengthen environmental responsibility among park guests. Participate in more training programs to facilitate the collection of more field data through Geographical Information Systems which will enable State Parks to more adequately inventory natural resources and produce color-coded maps of significant importance. Problems and Solutions The section continues to face the problem of insufficient funding for serious problems such as correcting lake siltation at numerous parks, expanding the environmental education program, constructing much-needed nature centers, conducting whitetail deer overpopulation research programs, continued forest management program/herbicide work and initiating a greatly needed and long overdue park boundary survey and marking program which will incorporate external firebreaks. Funds have not been available for these projects, and solutions are still being sought. Future Plans n Expand environmental education and interpretative facilities, activities and staff as needs and funds justify. n Recommend construction of a nature center at Lake Guntersville; redesign Oak Mountain’s nature center (in progress) add an interpretive program and possible facility at Joe Wheeler State Park, expand the interpretive program at Cheaha State Park, continue construction of natural habitat exhibits, and expand the nature center at Gulf State Park (in progress). n Increase special winter events. n Expand park timber and understory plant management to improve wildlife habitat carrying capacity, park aesthetics and natural, native ecosystem integrity. n Manage healthy wildlife populations compatible with habitat carrying capacity and enhance public wildlife observation opportunities. n Manage aquatic programs for environmental quality and public enjoyment. n Facilitate more training opportunities for parks’ field personnel in OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SECTION The Operations and Maintenance Section provides daily supervision of park managers and superintendents to ensure that more than 3.5 million annual park visitors enjoy high quality recreation facilities and services. The Operations and Maintenance Section staff logs many hours in the field inspecting facilities and equipment, investigating complaints and providing guidance to field personnel. Several sections within the division, including the Operations and Maintenance Section, are utilizing part-time retired state employees to offset personnel shortages. The retired workers bring a wealth of experience and dedication but are only part-time and of a temporary nature. The parks are supplementing their staff through the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program. This program has provided the parks with an additional workforce of experienced, dedicated and reliable workers to fill many positions left vacant by budget shortfalls. This program will continue to be utilized to supplement the workforce into the foreseeable future. n n n n Five merit system positions were filled after interviews and recommendations from the Operations and Maintenance Section. There were also 12 merit position promotions during this fiscal year. Law enforcement trailing was conducted and coordinated by the Operations’ staff for 41 state officers. More than 1,019 accident/incident/offense and arrest reports were submitted by the Parks to this section for review and analysis. Section staff investigated and made recommendations on 36 ALDCNR 09-10 Annual Report
n n n n n n n n 26 Board of Adjustment Claims that were filed against the State Parks Division. The section staff represented the State Parks Division at Board of Adjustment hearings and testified concerning this claims before the Board. Section staff manages a division-wide personal property inventory, in cooperation with the Departmental Property Inventory Section, of 5,444 inventory items valued at $14,892,073. Section staff provides daily management of the personal property inventory system and processed all additions and deletions to the system. Section staff manages the property insurance program for the division and processed 20 claims during the year. Continual review of insurance coverage is ongoing by the staff to insure that adequate coverage is maintained on 831 state parks structures. Section staff manages the ongoing State Parks Inspection Program, which provides inspection checklists, schedules, responsibilities, and record keeping guidelines. This program ensures all levels of management are looking at the important elements of our mission and provides continuity between the various levels of supervision. The section enrolled in the federal government’s 1033 Program, which provides surplus federal property to law enforcement agencies to utilize in accomplishing their mission. Under this program the State Parks Division received emergency generators, a bucket truck and a number of weapons. An RFP was issued by the Division for an energy reduction program. After a through review and extensive vendor demonstration presentations, Johnson Controls was selected as the contractor for our program. The contractor identified numerous projects that will be pursued throughout the parks system. The contract has been signed and is currently in the legislative review process. The Division was awarded a grant by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for $84,439.80 that was funded by their scrap tire disposal program. The grant will fund numerous projects throughout the parks system utilizing recycled tire products. During this year a Dog Friendly Policy was established, which allows specific parks to designate a select number of lodge rooms and cabins in the parks system as dog friendly. The Division is expanding its equestrian trails program with trail and campground developments at Oak Mountain, Cheaha, Lake Guntersville and Wind Creek State Parks. n The MEGASYS Property Management System is operational in nine parks (Joe Wheeler, Monte Sano, DeSoto, Lake Guntersville and Gulf State Parks). The networking group ATN has installed Wi-Fi in the campgrounds at Gulf and Wind Creek State Parks. Cheaha and Joe Wheeler State Parks campgrounds will be set up with Wi-Fi in the near future. The State Parks Operations and Maintenance Section Staff worked on the following projects in 2010: n Buck’s Pocket State Park: • All park roadways were repaved. The bathhouse was renovated and modernized. A new fishing pier was installed at Morgan’s Cove day use area. n DeSoto State Park: • The rear parking lot at the lodge was enlarged and paved. n Florala State Park: • An amphitheater with concrete bleachers seating and a stage was installed on the lake shore. Also the large older community building, manger’s house and maintenance building was razed and a multi-use community building was built on the site. The smaller community club building was relocated to a city location. n Frank Jackson State Park: • A new walking trail connecting the campground with the beach and day use area was completed. The trail includes a lengthy elevated walkway across a natural marsh area. The parking lots at the beach and the accessible fishing area were enlarged and paved. n Gulf State Park: • The new pool complex in the campground was completed and opened. The new campground registration building, laundry, country store and nature center were also completed and opened for business. n Lake Guntersville State Park: • The transient dock at the beach/boat ramp area was repaired and enlarged. The parking lot at the golf course was repaved. Parking areas at chalets and cabins was enlarged and repaved. A chalet (408) that was destroyed by fire in 2009 was rebuilt. State Parks Sections The division continued to operate and maintain 22 state parks serving more than 3 million guests annually on a constantly decreasing operational budget. Lack of sufficient funds for total renovation and repair of aging facilities and replacement of worn out equipment as well as basic operational needs is the major problem for State Parks. State Parks Division ALDCNR 09-10 Annual Report 37
Page 3 and 4: Honorable Robert Bentley Governor o
Page 5 and 6: Department Overview The Department
Page 7 and 8: Alabama Department of Conservation
Page 9 and 10: Department of Conservation & Natura
Page 11 and 12: Conservation Education Specialist w
Page 13 and 14: Engineering was also involved with
Page 15 and 16: Future Plans The Engineering Sectio
Page 17 and 18: n n n n n n n n More than 39,746 pe
Page 19 and 20: will continue to seek out other pri
Page 21 and 22: the U.S. Food and Drug Administrati
Page 23 and 24: n n use of dredges, removed the abi
Page 25 and 26: oating access, financing research o
Page 27 and 28: Marine Resources Division ALDCNR 09
Page 29 and 30: State Lands Division Sources of Rec
Page 31 and 32: n n Educational Programs increased
Page 33 and 34: State Lands Cahaba lillies on the C
Page 35: n n n n Continue to improve monthly
Page 39 and 40: different parts of the lodge facili
Page 41 and 42: 1 - Bladon Springs 2 - Blue Springs
Page 43 and 44: Budget and Expenditures for Wildlif
Page 45 and 46: Table 1. Fish Stocked during FY 201
Page 47 and 48: n stocked channel catfish and other
Page 49 and 50: Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center
Page 51 and 52: iologist was headquartered at Flore
Page 53 and 54: n n n n n n presentations and train
Page 55 and 56: n n n n operational. It must be rec

2009-2010 Annual Report - Alabama Department of Conservation ...

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