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Game and Parks seeks cash‑fund authority for officers, CERT updates and Cowboy Trail maintenance; local leaders push marina and road funding
Summary
Game and Parks requested shifting several operating costs to agency cash funds, funding five new conservation officers, $30,000 per year for the CERT environmental review tool, and $100,000 for Cowboy Trail maintenance; county and tourism officials separately asked for restoration of marina and road funding at Lewis & Clark Lake and Lake McConaughey.
Timothy McCoy, director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, presented the agency's budget requests and asked the Appropriations Committee to consider cash‑funding several items rather than adding general funds.
McCoy outlined four main requests: (1) shift certain operating and salary increases to agency cash funds given statewide fiscal constraints; (2) funding for law enforcement operational increases including five new conservation officers (the commission historically requests about 15% general‑fund support for officers because they perform certified law enforcement duties); (3) $30,000 per year in agency cash‑fund authority to maintain and enhance the conservation environmental review tool (CERT) so the commission can continue more efficient reviews and expedite approvals for projects such as broadband construction; and (4) $100,000 in capital cash‑fund authority for maintenance on the Cowboy Trail, including culvert stabilization, debris removal and pile replacement on several bridges.
McCoy said the CERT tool has doubled the commission's throughput on environmental reviews—from about 1,000 to approximately 2,500 reviews annually—and that updates are needed to accommodate increasing project types and vendor maintenance costs.
Multiple local officials and regional tourism representatives testified in support of Game and Parks projects, especially investments at Lewis & Clark Lake and Lake McConaughy. Stacy Miller (Knox County Economic Development), Tracy Jeffrey (Visit Norfolk), Thomas Wilbur (Keith County highway superintendent) and others described tourism growth, private development around the lakes, and road and access problems. Testifiers urged restoring governor-recommended cuts to fully fund previously authorized projects, particularly marina and roads projects they say will create local economic returns. Several witnesses noted the role of earlier "Star Wars" appropriations (local program name as used in testimony) and urged the committee to restore or maintain capital authority to capture tourism spending locally.
Ending: Game and Parks urged cash‑funding alternatives where possible and asked the committee to consider restoration of capital funds, while county officials pressed for road and marina funding to support visitor safety and local economies. The committee did not take formal action during the hearing.
