MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

2717

No. 77

(House Joint Resolution No. 143)

A House Joint Resolution concerning

Concessions in State Parks

FOR the purpose of requesting the [[State Departments of
Natural Resources and Budget and Fiscal Planning to

conduct a joint study]] Governor to appoint a

commission to conduct a study to determine the
feasibility of granting concessions and certain
protected capital investment rights to the private
sector in state parks and parkways; requiring, the

commission to consult with the Departments of

Natural Resources, Health and Mental Hygiene, and

Budget and Fiscal Planning; and providing for the

commission to report to the General Assembly.

WHEREAS, One of the primary goals of the Maryland
Park Service is to provide the general public with a
broad range of high quality, accessible recreational
facilities; and

WHEREAS, Over the past several years the rate of
acquisition and development of State park lands has
exceeded the State's ability to properly staff and
operate these lands causing many partially or fully
developed parks to go unopened creating overcrowded
conditions during peak periods in many recreational areas
and inconveniencing the general public; and

WHEREAS, The costs of opening and operating State
parks are escalating at such a rapid rate that neither
the special revenues derived from charging various use
fees in many areas nor the use of available general funds
appears adequate to cover said costs; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service as well as
several state park systems, e.g., Washington, have found
the granting of privately operated concessions, including
rights of protected capital investments in facilities,
both a effective and efficient solution to providing
their citizens with the best possible recreational
experiences; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
[[the State Departments of Budget and Fiscal Planning and
Natural Resources shall]] the Governor be requested to

appoint a commission to study the feasibility of

initiating agreements with the private sector to provide
for limited capital investment and for the operation of
various concessions within Maryland State parks. The
commission shall consult with the Departments of Natural

Resources, Health and Mental Hygiene, and Budget and

Fiscal Planning in the conduct of the study. The
[[joint]] study should address itself to, but not be