HD17 - Feasibility of Consolidating Virginia's Wildlife and Marine Resource Agencies

  • Published: 1996
  • Author: Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
  • Enabling Authority: Appropriation Act - Item 15 E. (Regular Session, 1995)

Executive Summary:
Article XI of the Constitution of Virginia states, "To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment ... of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize [those resources]." Pursuant to these objectives, the Commonwealth has created a number of agencies to oversee the development and conservation of its natural resources, including its wildlife and fisheries resources. Two State agencies are responsible for management of the biological resources and their associated habitats: the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).

Item 15E of the Appropriations Act requests JLARC to review whether there is a need for these two agencies to exist independently of each other. The study mandate raises the notion that there may be a potential to combine DGIF and VMRC, or certain functions of these or related agencies, to achieve greater operational efficiency.

This interim report provides background information on the roles and responsibilities of DGIF and VMRC. Specifically, it discusses the history of the agencies, previous studies on the possible consolidation of these agencies, their respective missions and organizational structures, and funding and staffing resources. The report also identifies how other coastal states have organized their wildlife and fisheries activities. A final report will be provided to the 1997 General Assembly Session.