HD50 - Report on the Feasibility of Establishing a Natural Resources and Law Enforcement Training Center


Executive Summary:
This report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly, as requested by HJR 584 from the 1999 Session of the General Assembly, reviews the feasibility of establishing a natural resources and law enforcement training center by the Departments of Game and Inland Fisheries and Forestry.

Notable findings include:

• A substantial training need exists for the two agencies

• A diverse and expansive multi-purpose educational facility would be required to meet these training needs

• Construction of a complete facility would require an investment in excess of $5.3 million dollars

• Utilization of the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest as a training site and an expanded partnership with the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center should be further considered in order to take full advantage of existing/potential training facilities. By working in conjunction with this educational center, an extensive training facility could be developed according to a phased perspective, with expansion accommodated as funds become available. Taking advantage of existing infrastructure would be beneficial in offsetting much of the investment costs noted above.