
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 19, 1995                   TAG: 9502220021
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES DODGES A FEW BULLETS

For the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the 1995 General Assembly has been a defensive, rather than offensive, effort. The department has been trying to hold onto programs, personnel and funding while sister agencies are hacked by the budget ax.

As the assembly goes into its final week, it appears the department's low-profile strategy has worked well. The agency's traditional funding for programs to benefit hunters, fishermen, boaters and wildlife watchers remains intact.

``It is the first time in 20 years that I didn't have to worry over someone trying to take something from the agency,'' said Vic Thomas, D-Roanoke, one of the watchdogs for the department.

Weeks before the assembly convened, the department decided 1995 would not be a good time to show up with a big shopping cart, not with the combination of a new administration and a short session. That proved to be a wise decision, although the downside of nothing lost has been nothing gained.

What you haven't heard mentioned during the assembly is ``2003: A Vision for the Future.'' That is the name of the department's white paper designed to reshape the agency so it can meet the changing wildlife needs of the 21st century. It was published in October 1993 and became the department's battle cry during the 1994 General Assembly.

The 75-page document calls for broadening the agency's traditional interest beyond species that are hunted and fished to embrace all wildlife. That would be accomplished by getting those who enjoy wildlife but don't buy hunting or fishing licenses to help pay the costs.

In short, it could mean new taxes. Some supporters say the 2003 concept is the only way the department can survive, especially with revenue from hunting license sales projected to decline.

Even so, little is being said about the agency returning to the 2003 blueprint. Bill Woodfin, the game department's new executive director, sees the agency continuing its traditional role. That appears to reflect the philosophy of the Allen administration.

``Yes, we serve all the citizens of the state, but at the same time our funding comes from boat registrations and hunting and fishing licenses,'' Woodfin said. ``I think there is a great opportunity with the department to market what we do in terms of reaching out to other constituents. At the same time, we have to make certain that the money of the traditional constituents is going where they want it to be.''

Will the department become more aggressive during the 1996 General Assembly and seek more funding? Maybe an excise tax or sales tax to broaden its base?

``I am going to hedge on that one,'' Woodfin said during a recent interview. ``It is a little early for that right now.''

In the meantime, the department will receive a significant amount of new funding from the boat sales tax, which is being routed from the general fund to the agency, where it belongs. It also will get more money for its trout program through an increase from $6.50 to $12 in the trout fishing license fee.

Both are the result of action taken during last year's General Assembly session, but neither taps new sources of revenue. It is the same people - boaters, fishermen and hunters - paying the bills for the department's expanding responsibilities.

by CNB