[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6323257,"mediaKeyId","2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6","parentId",2342787,"title","DNR highlights natural resource police capabilities: K-9s, dive team and expanded swiftwater rescue deployments","audioSeconds",97,"startMs",3763000,"endMs",3860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6&start=3763&end=3860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6/thumbnail_3763000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6323257/West-Virginia/DNR-highlights-natural-resource-police-capabilities-K-9s-dive-team-and-expanded-swiftwater-rescue-deployments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323257-57519e5d78ce1ca1007f4a531d646794/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163412&Signature=JvEoCsE~W9sB7TrWD1Ct-n8C3RqeqGOmggXCmlMaOawQfCXWTCF6eDQig9blXFtpF7m0tNBrmh9UGcjdJ1V~eWCUPB8OYlck-HYcyUqulP7dfBM9lPPxkCk6cJ0Ml1ahcdeRWGQjLh6-9qEzpcPsfsC4Do5hscevXiGCKrIvD3QsyEOLCg6VmTdxfgD7xk-jAfuTxUToDElQvtGvbQsmD2kXYGb5cqOVuN7ryiDzEJUBOUNr9EQaCyrNR36RcyxcM5PsxNhKn4107seMflvs2025F7Gx9C7SIXY84ZvdN81U9ClrJJNZrcR5AM8WHvsJ7fXRHRLZlpD76fgxLYBiQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Brett McMillian, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, told senators the department’s natural resource police section has 126 authorized positions, with about 114 active and several vacancies the agency is actively recruiting to fill. He said training and specialized units—K-9 teams, a dive team and a swiftwater rescue capability—are central to the agency’s response work.

McMillian described recent investments in specialized equipment and training that assisted flood and swiftwater responses in southern West Virginia, saying multiple officers were deployed to Southern WV during recent storms. He highlighted the department’s veteran and youth-hunt outreach programs and said the agency received a Conservation Law Enforcement Award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for certain youth hunts and recruitment activities.

Senators asked whether legislative action could improve response speed or resourcing; McMillian said the department continuously reviews response posture, recruitment and equipment needs, and noted that past modest pay increases helped recruitment for officers assigned to remote parks. Committee members also discussed use of concession-operated stables and county partnerships in remote areas when traditional vehicles are not feasible.

McMillian said the agency is monitoring vacancies and that staffing shortfalls most affect seasonal and hospitality operations but also intersect with enforcement and public-safety deployments in emergencies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WV Senate Natural Resources Committee in Session Feb 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","DNR briefed the committee on Natural Resource Police staffing, specialized teams (K-9, dive, swiftwater rescue), recruitment/retention challenges and recent deployments supporting flood response in southern West Virginia.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323262,"DNR reports elk numbers rising but hunting permits remain years away; CWD complicates sourcing",106,3867000,3973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6&start=3867&end=3973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6/thumbnail_3867000.jpg","/articles/6323262/West-Virginia/DNR-reports-elk-numbers-rising-but-hunting-permits-remain-years-away-CWD-complicates-sourcing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323262-f4343fc689896931d53b7326ce6b4f5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163412&Signature=LIt3XhBNVL-79B~1IUS5R05hL44o6A18tg5Bilm7Z00T3kjQUYeXET7MNQzRq4RfXafybQP-N6loEbMyeVRl9Ykd5wzX0dBmywCvsBi5o4y-ZXm~2uxVJY-81Su97wwvgewxZzKBRzg3akeAVpFp01YWPcY21RMlzOd9J-5ApuAI6Gj3zNF7zC2vg94VA~s8eBLgfeBXFVMBbpwAseDQJMwwDDZmC9nvAgUNV2vOiBtoVX1cHpczFm7Hlac~Q75Gfk8sR0DrqfFO1CoN0TOEtxWmUJxWaC-X8ZU29aAuiJlTfUTZTdd61vS18MmrpfaL~K3pQ047wolQR1JxcIn3gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brett McMillian, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources that the state’s elk program has added animals this year and that the current population is generally estimated in the 120–140 range depending on mortality.

McMillian said about 20 of the most recent shipment were cows and many were pregnant; he said the department expects births will increase numbers provided there is not substantial mortality or disease. He told senators the agency judges it needs roughly 350–400 elk on the ground before issuing limited hunting permits.

The director cautioned that chronic wasting disease (CWD) in other states has complicated the ability to acquire additional elk because of restrictions and ‘‘hot zones’’ that limit safe transfers. He said the department is continuing to seek opportunities to increase the herd but described the situation as “a bit of an impasse” while CWD-positive zones persist elsewhere.

McMillian offered to arrange tours and further briefings with the DNR biologist overseeing the program for interested senators and reiterated that the timeline to a first lottery draw for elk hunting depends on herd growth, recruitment and disease outcomes.","The agency said West Virginia’s elk herd is growing, with roughly 120–140 animals after recent shipments, but the population must reach an estimated 350–400 on the ground before limited hunting permits would be considered; chronic wasting disease concerns complicate further imports.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323269,"DNR outlines fisheries, hatchery upgrades and Webster County stocking pilot; highlights federal funding role",1528,2226000,3754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6&start=2226&end=3754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6/thumbnail_2226000.jpg","/articles/6323269/West-Virginia/DNR-outlines-fisheries-hatchery-upgrades-and-Webster-County-stocking-pilot-highlights-federal-funding-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323269-8128c7b1775bf17f1380dbe387c2f887/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163412&Signature=gHDcpNx08ulny5qBbD7XH0NPq7px7etqQhcT2Qmd1U0FrcfvB00W~ld7QqiLl5nAbpmjHC0ldu3wV92ytOox14bTfZz1fhqeAOCdEv6ZwcUE70pv65JjzzEczoYe-0hd1Sgw4ngDJZpc5ifv1sbkCAoIb-ALtd8~QUA5HgwXLmmLiAvh07hTZ9NO~m7WeOvKFMSsdS5vg4qC2Rm8OIIpa0hktmWPhTxhN3SgKn2JWt~KdZN7lHQUwLKCTYotwIcEdjttg28bgG3ON90OVyXgoO8pZ~GTsz3cXOro3q2GtdYYcTMz8kXUipbmLzzFdnpTPb7MdZ3cR4RoePR5fQWwpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brett McMillian, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, briefed senators on the agency’s wildlife and fisheries work, including hatchery production, funding sources and a pilot stocking program in Webster County.

McMillian said license sales produced about $16,500,000 in receipts for wildlife programs in 2024 and that federal aid from sport fish and wildlife restoration programs significantly increases the purchasing power of those revenues. He described hatchery outputs and upgrades: trout hatcheries produced about 658,000 pounds of catchable adults in 2024, and a recent Bowden Hatchery upgrade increased dissolved-oxygen capacity and—according to the agency’s hatchery manager—added roughly 150,000 to 250,000 additional pounds of production capacity.

The director described a fall stocking pilot in Webster County intended to boost local recreation and economic activity; he said the pilot led to increased fishing pressure and that the department is monitoring results to determine whether to expand similar efforts elsewhere. McMillian also discussed warm-water hatchery programs (hybrid striped bass, native walleye) and ongoing investments at Apple Grove Hatchery.

Senators asked about transport capacity and the ability to distribute increased fish pounds; McMillian said distribution capacity and staff are factors the department is addressing as hatchery production grows. He highlighted partnerships with private groups and local communities that help maintain access sites and enhance outreach to anglers.","The Division of Natural Resources reported 2024 license sales of about $16.5 million, described hatchery production and upgrades (including a Bowden hatchery oxygenation project), and said a Webster County stocking pilot increased fall fishing activity.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323273,"DNR director outlines park finances, endowment and major capital work; says Summersville near opening",467,506000,973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6&start=506&end=973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6/thumbnail_506000.jpg","/articles/6323273/West-Virginia/DNR-director-outlines-park-finances-endowment-and-major-capital-work-says-Summersville-near-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323273-18ce1adda485d55f03e702bc8898bb4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163412&Signature=MsQi-dnQGDDxxNyN3PpT7Vlcmw0gQwxBu-vCigauw5IZILa8t6ZnwAKVF~Vz~XGrhG3wiQMV-t49PzlEc9fr~8B1QQpVr7Q3infpAb0CGOxjOqeIRhU3FaizLhHuUrovy2-T8hHBk3~WQI73Fb4i1fKuwpDYDo9V1cmHkaGdwDYcRpvly3y9B9QeaYPgiNAxY-yz8-NA2paFidLQ5HgofttuA6GgTX-lFl6R-Shce2Lrrfr8CWI0Y3V9lWAvby9U5qsVDf-3zK2uxZ3pe7JoP-b7EkO9dgmzqRGJeZ-zMT6-sui09QBoWdlVFIp2-kXsqK4NWDeUT8vpSvCrOo1kHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brett McMillian, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources that the state park system reported fiscal year 2024 revenue of about $39,100,000 and expenses of roughly $53,000,000, and that the system’s three main revenue streams include general revenue, lottery funds and the state park operating account (account 3265).

McMillian told senators the division’s three primary public-facing areas are state parks, wildlife and law enforcement and that the park system comprises 36 parks, nine state forests and three rail trails. He said the park system’s self-sufficiency for FY24 was about 76% with a three-year average near 75%, up from roughly 60% in 2015–2016.

The director described recent capital work funded over several years, saying the department had completed a major bond program and other targeted investments that together totaled about $94,000,000 in special projects over recent years. He said Cacapon (transcript: Kacapon) State Park’s bond work and other bond projects are complete or in final pay-app phases and that visitorship and revenue have increased at renovated sites.

McMillian discussed Summersville State Park, saying the concessionaire has been operating infrastructure where necessary and that campgrounds will open this year; he said a formal opening event is likely once remaining work finishes. He also addressed two tram replacement projects at Hawks Nest and Pipestem, saying initial estimates grew substantially in today’s market (an example cited: a pre-COVID estimate of $12 million rose to more than $20 million for tram work); however, he said the department managed contingencies and avoided additional appropriation requests for those overruns.

The director described work at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, saying DNR and the Blennerhassett Foundation committed about $750,000 for roof, painting and HVAC repairs funded from account 3265 and from real-estate/royalty-derived funds. He said some projects are constrained by floodplain conditions and require designs to mitigate long-term maintenance costs.

McMillian highlighted the State Park Endowment Fund, funded in part by Ohio River royalty distributions; he reported the endowment has grown to about $50,000,000 and that by code the agency spends interest only. He said the fund generated about $7,000,000 in distributable interest this year, which the department is targeting to address infrastructure needs including sewage plant work and pedestrian-bridge replacement at Cooper's Rock.

Senators asked for project lists, visitorship numbers and the agency’s future funding requests; McMillian said detailed project lists and attendance data are in the DNR annual report and that the department will continue to work with the governor on major-ticket investments. He said the department continues to balance operating needs with capital work and faces cost pressures from materials and labor.","Brett McMillian, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, told senators the park system had FY24 revenue of about $39.1 million and expenses of about $53 million, outlined a $94 million project portfolio and said Summersville State Park is nearing opening.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323277,"Senate Natural Resources committee adopts procedural rules and remote participation policies",4158,139000,4297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6&start=139&end=4297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342787-72c8e60e09d6de158afae4f3c7397fc6/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6323277/West-Virginia/Senate-Natural-Resources-committee-adopts-procedural-rules-and-remote-participation-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323277-54dce11dd48a3cd19d9dc75626398987/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163412&Signature=NWUNQJ16ybvZZ8EbLpjirJIzKg6ZMbc9xxe2FOVcJjAIPGBD8f0f3C7nBsp-HyhlWUxqVkkI1y94olGaI3yvLouiRWOTDnPIWYJzAc-cnzoI1EFftsZiY9Z53RXpHmpcPj5FoiWsc1WM0swFNQrsDLwU3e2Ydfz1BmnotLeiIE65O6vritZbCBw37PZ8ihl234sx1w1u1-fZ9~o-MlW2XuOxvfU8y-JdoGRtD5NDofWy-g5gJ7iQbG5yywfhEBLEF-KixMo6G5pTpeltUv2AxQ4HL6bBGM8lNvk9v7B~mqhTWPHFK2570GruMM4nodJsNgT7USi5flsMvSAg534z~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Virginia Senate Committee on Natural Resources approved a set of procedural motions at the start of its session, including adoption of committee rules, authorization for the chair to set the agenda, and permission for staff to make technical corrections to bills and drafts.

Those measures were presented and moved by the Junior Senator from Greenbrier and were adopted after voice votes in which the chair declared the ayes to have it. The committee also authorized the council to incorporate bills or resolutions into committee substitutes after presentation and vote, and approved administering the oath to witnesses (with the exception of senate staff and elected officials) under Senate rule 28a.

The panel voted to permit members physically present in their Capitol offices to participate remotely as if physically present and to count those members toward quorum under Senate rule 43; it separately approved remote participation for members diagnosed with COVID-19 or determined by a physician to be at higher risk from COVID-19 exposure. All of the listed motions were declared adopted by the chair following voice votes; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.","At the committee’s opening, senators approved a series of procedural motions covering rules, agenda setting, technical corrections to bills, witness oaths and remote participation policies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DNR highlights natural resource police capabilities: K-9s, dive team and expanded swiftwater rescue deployments

DNR reports elk numbers rising but hunting permits remain years away; CWD complicates sourcing

DNR outlines fisheries, hatchery upgrades and Webster County stocking pilot; highlights federal funding role

DNR director outlines park finances, endowment and major capital work; says Summersville near opening

Senate Natural Resources committee adopts procedural rules and remote participation policies