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S1250............................................................by FINANCE
APPROPRIATIONS - Appropriating $1,800,000 to the Parks and Recreation Park
Land Trust Fund for the purpose of purchasing properties along the
Billingsley Creek corridor in the Hagerman Valley; and providing
legislative findings regarding the purchase.
03/14 Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/15 Rpt prt - to Fin
|||| LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO ||||
Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session - 2001
IN THE SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 1250
BY FINANCE COMMITTEE
1 AN ACT
2 EXPRESSING LEGISLATIVE INTENT WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROP-
3 ERTIES IN THE HAGERMAN VALLEY TO BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF
4 IDAHO; STATING FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE; APPROPRIATING MONEYS TO THE
5 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ACT SHALL CONSTI-
6 TUTE PRIOR APPROVAL FOR THE STATE BUILDING AUTHORITY AND TO GIVE AUTHORI-
7 ZATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE STATE BUILDING
8 AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN AGREEMENTS; AND EXPRESSING LEGISLATIVE
9 INTENT WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN EXPENDITURES.
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
11 SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 67-4219, Idaho Code, to acquire, protect
12 and develop for the citizens of Idaho areas of scenic beauty, recreational
13 opportunity, historic, archeological or scientific interest, it is the intent
14 of the Legislature that the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation enter
15 into agreements necessary to acquire available properties along the
16 Billingsley Creek corridor in the Hagerman Valley, which have good potential
17 for becoming a significant recreational, scientific and historical asset to
18 the state of Idaho.
19 SECTION 2. The Legislature hereby finds that protection and management of
20 these properties will provide the following benefits:
21 (1) Preserving and protecting these properties along Billingsley Creek
22 represents an unprecedented opportunity to preserve and protect a major
23 scenic, recreational and scientific corridor in the state which is in dan-
24 ger of becoming lost to public access through private development;
25 (2) Protection of this area will contribute immediately to the quality of
26 water in Billingsley Creek and the Middle Snake River as a whole;
27 (3) Acquisition of these properties will ensure access to unique recre-
28 ational opportunities in this area including access to two (2) miles of a
29 blue ribbon trophy trout fishing opportunity for Idaho anglers;
30 (4) Acquisition of these properties will also provide ownership of an
31 existing fish hatchery and present the opportunity to partner with the
32 University of Idaho in developing a key aquaculture and research facility
33 for endangered species;
34 (5) These acquisitions will facilitate unique opportunities for conjunc-
35 tive use research in cooperation with the Idaho Water Resources Institute;
36 (6) Acquisition of these properties will also ensure the protection of
37 the historic Vardis Fisher property with ownership of Fisher Lake, 60 cfs
38 of spring water and adjacent properties where the internationally renowned
39 Idaho author lived and worked.
40 SECTION 3. There is hereby appropriated and the State Controller is
41 directed to transfer on June 30, 2001, the sum of $1,800,000 from the General
42 Fund to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Park Land Trust Fund. Notwithstanding
2
1 the provisions of Section 67-6410, Idaho Code, this act shall constitute prior
2 approval as required by that section and shall give the Department of Parks
3 and Recreation the authority to enter into an agreement or agreements with the
4 State Building Authority to provide for acquisition and development of the
5 facility or facilities along the Billingsley Creek corridor in the Hagerman
6 Valley. This appropriation shall constitute the first installment necessary to
7 acquire these properties.
8 SECTION 4. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the Legislature that
9 prior to any expenditure of funds appropriated in Section 3 of this act, the
10 Idaho Park and Recreation Board shall secure an independent appraisal and
11 legal survey of any properties as well as any other normal elements of real
12 property transactions of this type that would protect the interests of the
13 state of Idaho and which are necessary to complete the purchase authorized by
14 this act.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS ll254C1
This bill would allow the State of Idaho the opportunity to acquire
key parcels of property along Billingsley Creek in the Hagerman
Valley. The Billingsley Creek corridor has the immediate potential
for becoming a significant recreational, scientific and historical
asset to the state of Idaho. The two properties to be acquired
include a 102 acre parcel which include the Vardis Fisher property,
with a beautiful spring fed lake where the internationally acclaimed
author lived and worked, and an existing fish hatchery facility with
the potential to be a major research facility for endangered species
and other key fisheries and water quality research. Springs
originating on this property can contribute significant research
opportunities in aquifer quality, spring flows, recharge and
conjunctive management. The other parcel includes includes a
small hatchery, equestrian center and 180 acres of farmland adjacent
to the Billingsley Creek Wildlife Management Area.
FISCAL NOTE
This bill contains a General Fund appropriation of $1.8 million which
represents the first installment toward the acquisition of these
properties which are estimated to cost a total of $6.4 million. In
order to maximize the funding options available, authority is also
given for the Parks and Recreation department to negotiate possible
bonding options with the State Building Authority. Prior to any
acquisitions, this bill first requires independent appraisals, surveys
and other normal safeguards to be exercised by the Parks Board.
Contact: Senator John Sandy
Senator Laird Noh
Senator John Andreason
Representative Jack Barraclough
Representative Don Pischner
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE S 1250