Department of Conservation and Recreation [199]
Secretarial Area: Natural and Historic Resources
formerly under: Natural Resources
Operating Budget Summary
This table shows the Governor's proposed budget for the next two years and the agency's official budget for the previous six years.
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Biennium Fiscal Year Source GF NGF Total
2012-2014 2013 Chapter 1, 2014 Acts of Assembly $66,413,820 $85,398,363 $151,812,183
2012-2014 2014 Chapter 1, 2014 Acts of Assembly $44,283,470 $79,109,560 $123,393,030
2014-2016 2015 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly $69,138,217 $56,422,726 $125,560,943
2014-2016 2016 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly $58,996,178 $79,959,659 $138,955,837
2016-2018 2017 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly $118,994,799 $50,292,668 $169,287,467
2016-2018 2018 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly $49,922,661 $50,292,668 $100,215,329
2018-2020 2019 Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly $79,394,004 $55,161,596 $134,555,600
2018-2020 2019 Previous Legislative Appropriation $73,510,004 $55,161,596 $128,671,600
2018-2020 2019 Governor's Amendments $25,500,000 $0 $25,500,000
2018-2020 2019 General Assembly Adjustments ($19,616,000) $0 ($19,616,000)
2018-2020 2020 Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly $134,811,754 $55,046,852 $189,858,606
2018-2020 2020 Previous Legislative Appropriation $54,652,043 $54,656,265 $109,308,308
2018-2020 2020 Governor's Amendments $95,215,862 $390,587 $95,606,449
2018-2020 2020 General Assembly Adjustments ($15,056,151) $0 ($15,056,151)
Positions Budget Summary
Biennium Fiscal Year Source GF NGF Total
2012-2014 2013 Chapter 1, 2014 Acts of Assembly 430.50 100.50 531.00
2012-2014 2014 Chapter 1, 2014 Acts of Assembly 434.50 100.50 535.00
2014-2016 2015 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly 412.50 39.50 452.00
2014-2016 2016 Chapter 732, 2016 Acts of Assembly 412.50 39.50 452.00
2016-2018 2017 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly 412.50 39.50 452.00
2016-2018 2018 Chapter 1, 2018 Acts of Assembly 408.50 39.50 448.00
2018-2020 2019 Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly 416.50 42.50 459.00
2018-2020 2019 Previous Legislative Appropriation 416.50 42.50 459.00
2018-2020 2019 Governor's Amendments 0.00 0.00 0.00
2018-2020 2019 General Assembly Adjustments 0.00 0.00 0.00
2018-2020 2020 Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly 420.50 44.50 465.00
2018-2020 2020 Previous Legislative Appropriation 418.50 42.50 461.00
2018-2020 2020 Governor's Amendments 3.00 2.00 5.00
2018-2020 2020 General Assembly Adjustments (1.00) 0.00 (1.00)
Operating Budget Addenda (in order of greatest impact)
•
Direct the required deposit to the Water Quality Improvement Fund from the FY 2018 surplus Decision Package
  Provides general fund appropriation for the mandatory deposit to the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) associated with the FY 2018 year-end surplus designated for deposit to the WQIF and WQIF Reserve.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $73,757,699
•
Provide additional funding for the Water Quality Improvement Fund Decision Package
  Supplements the FY 2018 surplus deposit to the Water Quality Improvement Fund. The additional funds will focus on the implementation of agricultural best management practices.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $20,000,000 $15,031,151
•
Increase funding for the Virginia Land Conservation Fund Decision Package
  Provides additional general fund support for deposit to the Virginia Land Conservation Fund. The funding establishes an appropriation of $5.5 million the first year, and increases the second year appropriation to $10.0 million.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $5,500,000 $5,500,000
•
Provide support for the limited opening of Clinch River State Park Decision Package
  Establishes funding to support the limited opening of Clinch River State Park, which will include minimal staffing and recreation facilities such as hiking trails, picnic areas, parking areas, signage, and two water access points for visitors.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $534,159
Positions 0.00 2.00
•
Increase funding for the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Program Decision Package
  Provides additional funds for deposit to the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund. The Fund supports grants to local governments and private entities owning regulated dams to improve dam safety. The increased funding brings the appropriation to $732,147 in FY 2020.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $267,853
•
Provide nongeneral funds to support the Daniel Boone Wilderness Interpretive Center Decision Package
  Establishes operating appropriation and one position to support the transfer of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Interpretive Center to the Division of State Parks as a satellite facility to the Natural Tunnel State Park. Current Appropriation Act language provides for the transfer of the Center and funds to the department, once completed. A companion capital amendment authorizes the department to accept the Center and surrounding acreage.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $0 $257,187
Positions 0.00 1.00
•
Increase appropriation to support the Land Preservation Tax Credit Program Decision Package
  Provides additional nongeneral funds and one position to administer the Land Preservation Tax Credit Program. This appropriation is to implement legislation to be considered during the 2019 General Assembly Session.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $0 $133,400
Positions 0.00 1.00
•
Support the development and implementation of the Virginia Great Valley Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail Decision Package
  Provides funding and one position to assist in the development of the Virginia Great Valley Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail Project. The position will be located at Natural Bridge State Park.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $125,000
Positions 0.00 1.00
•
Reallocate appropriation for public communications and marketing activities Decision Package
  Centralizes public communications and marketing resources under the agency's Administrative and Support Services program. This amendment is a zero-sum, technical adjustment.
•
Reverse the supplemental WQIF deposit General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment reverses the proposed supplemental deposit to the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF).
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($20,000,000) ($15,031,151)
•
Remove increase for the Virginia Land Conservation Fund General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment removes funding proposed in the introduced budget for the Virginia Land Conservation Fund.
 
  FY FY
General Fund ($5,500,000) ($5,500,000)
•
Address the Livestock Stream Exclusion (SL6) backlog General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides a one-time deposit of $5.9 million from the general fund to the Water Quality Improvement Fund to eliminate the backlog of state commitments for 118 livestock stream exclusion agricultural best management practices.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $5,884,000 $0
•
Provide support for rehabilitation of College Lake Dam General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides a one-time grant of $5.0 million from the general fund to the City of Lynchburg to match a like amount of local funding for sediment removal and other improvements to College Lake, a central stormwater basin in the City, which suffered significant damage in a severe rainfall event in August 2018. Damage from the rainfall event cost the City of Lynchburg more than $30.0 million.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $5,000,000
•
Increase Soil and Water Conservation District Dam funding General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides an additional $400,000 appropriation in the Soil and Water Conservation District Dam Maintenance, Repair and Rehabilitation Fund to provide for the purchase and installation of remote monitoring equipment for District-owned high and significant hazard dams. Impacts of Hurricane Michael and other significant rainfall events have highlighted the need for remote monitoring of District-owned dams which are typically located in remote locations, making it difficult for District staff to monitor the dams during storms.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $400,000
•
Eliminate Lewis and Clark Trail Funding General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment removes funding proposed in the introduced budget for the Virginia Great Valley Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 ($125,000)
Positions 0.00 (1.00)
•
Fund an engineering study of dams in Pittsylvania County General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides $100,000 the second year to help find alternate solutions for the required rehabilitation of the Cherrystone and Roaring Fork dams. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service presented a plan to the sponsors for the purpose of rehabilitating the two dams costing $20.0 million. The sponsors seek an independent study for a less costly solution, as recommended by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $100,000
•
Increase funding for First Landing Bike Trails General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment adds $50,000 from the general fund in the second year to the existing First Landing bike facilities expansion project.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $50,000
•
Support the Mendota Trail Project General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides $50,000 from the general fund in the second year to help support the Mendota Trail Project and construct a 'Container Covered Bridge' across a 200-foot span. The Mendota Trail is a 12.5 mile recreational trail linking Bristol, Virginia to Mendota, Virginia on a former railroad bed. The City of Bristol acquired the property and has transferred it to Mountain Heritage, Inc. The first mile of the trail opened to the public in October, 2017 and the first of 17 trestles was rehabilitated. In order to open a five mile section of the trail, repairs are needed on a 193 foot long trestle, which is proposed to be uniquely repaired through the construction of a bridge made from aluminum shipping containers. The requested funds would cover less than half the cost, with local contributions covering the remaining need.
 
  FY FY
General Fund $0 $50,000
•
Provide authorization for State Park Public Highway Signage General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment provides $350,000 the first year and $70,000 the second year to fabricate and install Supplemental Guide Signs for Virginia State Parks. The fiscal year 2016-2018 budget included language allowing the use of VDOT Recreational Access Funds to install replacement signage for state parks. Approximately $750,000 was spent upgrading signs for Virginia State Parks and some Natural Area Preserves. The project replaced nearly 200 signs so that now they meet current safety regulations and provide easy to read guidance to Virginia State Parks. Remaining unfunded is a 50 mile long New River Trail State park which alone will cost $70,000. There are additional signs needed with an estimated total cost of $350,000. The appropriation is authorized under Item 453 A. of the enrolled budget bill.
•
Update Virginia Land Conservation Foundation language General Assembly Adjustment
  This amendment restores the statutory formula for transferring funds to the Open Space Land Preservation Trust Fund pursuant to ยง 10.1-1020, Code of Virginia.
Capital Project Requests (in order of largest to smallest)
•
Acquisition of land for Natural Area Preserves
  Increases nongeneral fund appropriation to support the acquisition of Natural Area Preserves.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $651,431 $7,688,164
•
Acquisition of land for State Parks
  Increases nongeneral fund appropriation to support the acquisition of land for the agency's State Parks.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $1,512,335 $750,000
•
Acquire land for Middle Peninsula State Park
  Provides nongeneral fund appropriation for the agency to acquire a parcel of land to be developed for Middle Peninsula State Park. Current authorization provides for the acquisition and development of this park in accordance with provisions of the Surry-Skiffes Creek Transmission Line Mitigation Agreement.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $145,000 $0
•
Acquire the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center
  Establishes a capital project to allow the agency to accept the transfer of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Interpretive Center to the Division of State Parks as a satellite facility to the Natural Tunnel State Park. Current Appropriation Act language provides for the transfer of the Center to the agency, once completed. A companion amendment provides operating appropriation.
•
Provide nongeneral fund authorization for Belle Isle State Park improvements
  This amendment authorizes the department to accept and expend gifts, donations or other funds to evaluate options to renovate and furnish the Belle Isle Manor House and dependencies at Belle Isle State Park.
 
  FY FY
Nongeneral Fund $100,000 $100,000
•
Add High Bridge State Park to capital project authorization (Executive Amendment)
  This amendment adds High Bridge Trail State Park to the list of state parks that the Department of Conservation and Recreation is authorized to develop and expand by acquisition of in-holdings or contiguous properties.
•
Remove inactive authorizations for Natural Area Preserves
  This amendment removes the authorization for the acquisition of contiguous parcels and in-holdings for three Natural Area Preserves where the planned acquisition has been completed or the project is currently inactive.
•
Remove inactive authorizations for State Park land aquisitions
  This amendment removes the authorization for the acquisition of contiguous parcels and in-holdings for three State Parks where the planned acquisition has been completed or the project is currently inactive.


p3_bullets - Official Enacted Budget - 11-02-2026 21:56:02