SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The downturn in the West Virginia state budget is causing everybody to feel the pinch. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is no different and is forced, like all state agencies, to comply with the governor’s call for a four-percent budget cut.
Starting this weekend the recreational arms of four Wildlife Management Areas in southern West Virginia will be removed. Berwind, Bluestone, Laurel Lake and Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Areas have had recreational areas managed by the state parks system since 1977. DNR Director Bob Fala announced this week that relationship will end.
“In short, Fish and Wildlife oriented recreation such as hunting, fishing and birding will take precedence over Park oriented recreation such as swimming, picnicking and tennis at the subject facilities,” said Fala in a statement about the cuts. “This will effectively will return them to their pre-1977 status as WMA’s.”
Fala added in his statement that no fish stocking at the facilities will be impacted by the budget cuts decision.
The wildlife section at the DNR isn’t as affected by the cuts because most if their budget is funded by dedicated revenue from hunting and fishing license money and federal excise tax. The State Park section however, is more impacted since a larger portion of the Parks’ budget comes from the state’s general revenue fund.