2001 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1250 – Approp, Billingsley Creek property

SENATE BILL NO. 1250

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View Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



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Daily Data Tracking History



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

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ||||              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 / Fiscal Impact


	              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