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

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 his 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
The Department’s scope of operations includes the
administration, management and maintenance of 22
state parks, 23 public fishing lakes, three freshwater fish
hatcheries, 35 wildlife management areas, two waterfowl
refuges, two wildlife sanctuaries, a mariculture center with
35 ponds, and 645,000 acres of trust lands managed for
the benefit of several state agencies, the General Fund
and Alabama Trust Fund. Other departmental functions
include maintenance of a State Land Resource Information
Center and administration of the Forever Wild land
acquisition program.
Organization
During Fiscal Year 2009, the Department had five
operational divisions and seven support sections. The
operational divisions were Marine Police, Marine Resources,
State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries. Support sections were Accounting, Diversity
and Recruiting, Engineering, Information and Education,
Information Technology, Legal, Personnel and Payroll.
The Commissioner was advised by a 10-member
Conservation Advisory Board appointed by the Governor.
Division directors managed the Department’s programs
under their jurisdiction through authority delegated by the
Legislature and the Commissioner. Concerted efforts were
made to balance needs and requirements against resources
and available funding to satisfy present and future public
and resource requirements. Active public education and
voluntary participation programs were expanded and new
plans were implemented to achieve maximum multiple-use
benefits consistent with resource conservation.
Department Goals
The Department’s major goal is to promote the
statewide stewardship and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural
resources, and to ensure that future generations will be able
to enjoy these resources.
license fees, and mandated interest from endowment and
federal regulations. The Forever Wild Program receives
interest income from the Alabama Trust Fund. Specific
revenue sources for the five operational divisions are as
follows:
Marine Police: Boat registration fees, fines, marine
gas tax and federal grants.
Marine Resources: Saltwater fishing licenses,
fines, marine gas tax and federal grants. Marine
Resources also has an endowment but it has
not grown enough to enhance operations.
State Lands: Management fees from the sale of
timber, minerals and various leases on state
lands administered under the Land Based Asset
Management Program. Further, the division
receives additional federal grants which
support specific programs.
State Parks: User-generated funds in the form
of entrance, rental, lodging, golf and other
recreational fees. State Parks received a modest
amount of funding from cigarette tax revenue.
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Fishing and
hunting licenses and permits; fines; waterfowl
stamps; federal allocations from excise taxes on
sporting arms, ammunition, archery gear and
some fishing tackle; and federal grants. Interest
income, although at slightly declining interest
rates, continues to be generated by the Game
and Fish endowment fund for resident lifetime
hunting and fishing licenses. Direct donations
and voluntary state income tax refund checkoffs
for the Nongame Wildlife Program continue
to decrease from previous fiscal years.
Department Overview
Funding
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources receives no General Fund support. Funding for
the Department is generated through special revenues,
which include federal money, cigarette taxes, user and
ALDCNR 09-10 Annual Report 5