Joint Travel Committee Meeting Summary (June 25 and 26, 2002)

The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Interim Committee met on June 25 and 26, 2002 in Laramie.  The Committee received information concerning a number of game and fish issues including forage compensation, expansion of the preference point system to species other than moose and big horn sheep, and Game and Fish Department funding.  In order to address a funding shortfall, the Game and Fish Department has proposed increasing license fees and is seeking funding sources other than the traditional source of hunting and license fees.  The Committee also heard testimony regarding a management plan for the gray wolf.

The Committee toured the Wyoming Territorial Park and historic site and discussed funding for the Park.  The Committee also received testimony regarding funding of special events at state parks and historic sites, state museum permanent loans, the motorboat gas tax (which is set to expire next year), the snowmobile gas tax and trails program, the use of fireworks and firearms in state parks and the use of snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles in parks and across state lines.

The Committee voted to sponsor two bills next session – the first would increase salary of the Game and Fish Commission; the second would deposit restitution payments for hunting violations in the Game and Fish Fund rather than the General Fund of the State.  The Committee will meet again in November of this year to consider bills to raise game and fish license fees, after the Game and Fish Department has conducted public meetings on the issue.  The Committee will also consider a resolution in support of continued full operations for the Wyoming Territorial Park and will consider legislation affecting the other issues noted above.

 (View Minutes)