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Senate committee advances bill to create Jennings Randolph and Teeter Creek state parks
Summary
A Senate committee approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 996 to add Jennings Randolph Lake State Park and Teeter Creek Lake State Park to West Virginia’s park system; the Division of Natural Resources warned of startup costs and an annual operating shortfall and the measure was reported to the full Senate and referred to the Finance Committee.
A Senate committee approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 996 on a voice vote and moved the measure to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass, subject to a first referral to the Finance Committee.
The substitute would establish Jennings Randolph Lake State Park and Teeter Creek Lake State Park and direct the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) to include the areas in the state park system, manage and improve them, enter agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where necessary, and propose rules to implement the parks. The sponsor explained that the substitute sets an effective date of July 1, 2026, and carries a second reference to finance.
The DNR director told the committee that the agency is open to lease arrangements with the Army Corps at Jennings Randolph and pointed to prior Corps leases at Stonewall and Bluestone as workable precedents. “More state parks are always a good opportunity for the West Virginia State Park System and the citizens,” the director said, and noted that a fiscal note had not been uploaded to the record that morning but would be provided if the bill advances.
The director gave preliminary cost estimates: startup expenses for Jennings Randolph of roughly $500,000–$600,000 and about $250,000 for Teeter Creek. He said that, under current facility conditions, the parks would likely operate at a deficit without additional capital or revenue-generating amenities and that the combined annual operating expenses for both areas could be on the order of $775,000, noting the system would need roughly $500,000 a year to cover net operating shortfalls if the bill advances.
On timing and implementation, the director said negotiations with the Army Corps for leasing could take “anywhere from six months to a year” depending on which facilities and acreage are involved. He also said converting a wildlife management area into a state park typically means the agency would focus more on marketing and adding amenities such as expanded campgrounds or cabins, and that site-specific reviews would determine whether land parcels are suitable for development (he estimated Teeter Creek at about 130 acres but said that Corps property caveats could affect plans).
Senator from Randolph voiced support for the substitute while urging coordination with DNR, the Department of Tourism and the Finance Committee to make sure the state provides needed resources. “I think adding to our state park system is a great thing,” the senator said, adding that the parks should be adequately funded so they do not detract from existing parks.
The committee agreed to the committee substitute by voice vote; the vice chair then moved that the substitute be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass and that, under the original double reference, it first be referred to the committee on Finance. The motion carried and the substitute will be reported. With no further business, the committee adjourned.
What’s next: The measure is now scheduled to be reported to the full Senate and will undergo consideration in the Finance Committee before any floor action.
