TITLE: CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY BY THE DIVISION OF WILDLIFE IN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION THEREFOR.

The provisions of this bill would authorize the Division of Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, to purchase land ranging from approximately 29,940 to 30,400 acres in the Upper Purgatoire watershed in Las Animas County. The bill also would allow the division to purchase such water and mineral rights located on, or appurtenant to, such property as the division may choose. The bill would appropriate up to $9,400,000 for the purchase, but reduces this amount to account for acreage adjustment, or funds received from the federal government or other sources. The bill would become effective upon signature of the Governor.

STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY	FY 1998/99	FY 1999/2000
State Revenues General Fund Other Fund
State Expenditures General Fund Division of Wildlife Cash Fund - Cash Fund Exempt Balance Division of Wildlife Cash Fund	$9,400,000	$445,000
FTE Position Change	None	1.5 FTE
Local Government Impact — None Identified.

It is assumed that the sale of this property will close sometime in FY 1998/99 at a purchase price of $9,400,000. It is assumed that the division would incur some costs in FY 1998/99. The division has indicated that any development or operations costs in FY 1998/99 would be from current FY 1998/99 appropriations.

Beginning FY 1999/2000, the Division of Wildlife will require additional resources to begin the development the property for wildlife purposes. These resources will be used to fund both non-discretionary costs, as well as discretionary costs.

Non-discretionary costs. It is estimated that the division will incur the following nondiscretionary development and operations costs: (1) development costs estimated to total $315,000, including costs to survey for fencing, construct approximately 16 miles of boundary fence, signage, parking lots, restrooms, and other necessary improvements; and (2) operations costs totaling an estimated $79,506, including $69,506 and 1.5 FTE for personal services costs and operating costs, and approximately $10,000 for payments to local governments in lieu of property taxes. These non-discretionary costs total an estimated $394,506 beginning in FY 1999/2000 and would require 1.5 FTE to implement.

Discretionary costs. In addition, the division will incur ongoing discretionary costs to develop wildlife viewing sites and other projects to enhance public use, and habitat protection and enhancement projects. The costs of these discretionary projects are estimated to total approximately $50,494 in FY 1999/2000. The division has indicated that the total of both non-discretionary and discretionary costs would average approximately $130,000 (including payments in lieu of taxes) per year for five years beginning FY 1999/2000.

Pursuant to the Joint Budget Committee’s budget policies, the following expenditures have not been included in this fiscal note:

This fiscal note implies that the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife would require an appropriation of $9,400,000 cash fund exempt in FY 1998/99 to implement the provisions of the bill.