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Committee approves DNR study on public-lands benefits, fee systems and disaster planning
Summary
Senate Bill 67 passed the Natural Resources Committee directing DNR to study how public lands affect health and community well‑being, evaluate a consistent visitor-fee collection system, and develop mitigation/recovery plans for natural disasters; DNR estimated a basic study would start at about $15,000 but could rise with scope.
Senate Bill 67, sponsored by Senator Shelly Yoder, passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee after witnesses from conservation groups, tourism offices and the Department of Natural Resources largely endorsed the concept.
Yoder said the bill compiles policy recommendations from a summer study and directs DNR to complete three lines of work within existing fiscal and personnel resources: (1) study public-lands impacts on physical activity, mental health and community well‑being; (2) evaluate possible structures for a consistent visitor-fee collection system at state fish and wildlife areas; and (3) develop disaster mitigation and recovery plans for public lands after floods, fires and other hazards.
Desi Bridal of Indiana Conservation Voters and representatives of Earth Charter Indiana, the Hoosier Environmental Council and the Indiana Conservation Alliance told senators the proposed study would provide data to guide investments and better protect outdoor recreation and habitat. ‘‘With the information that will be gathered… we as a state would be able to efficiently protect and maintain your unique public lands through data-informed collaboration,’’ Bridal said.
DNR staff signaled cautious support. Will Haines of DNR said the agency is neutral on the bill’s merits but provided a baseline estimate for a statewide study ‘‘starting at approximately $15,000’’ and noted costs could rise depending on scope and third-party partners. Haines said a disaster-mitigation plan could be complex because natural disasters and damage patterns differ widely by site.
Senators debated cost and implementation logistics. Yoder and other supporters emphasized the bill is intended to be budget neutral by focusing first on studies and recommendations that can later inform targeted investments. The committee moved and passed SB67; the clerk reported the vote as 8 yeas and 1 excused.
SB67 now proceeds from committee; sponsors said they expect the study findings to inform future budget or statutory decisions about fee structures, public-health partnerships and disaster-response planning for state lands.
