§ 3.15 Statewide park and recreation plan. 1. The office shall
formulate, maintain and from time to time revise a statewide park and
recreation plan.
2. The office shall submit such plan and periodic revisions of such
plan to the department of state and the governor. The department of
state shall review such plan and such revisions and shall submit a
report thereon, together with such recommendations as it may deem
appropriate, to the governor. Such plan and revisions shall become
effective upon approval by the governor and shall serve thereafter as a
guide for the development, protection and management of parks and
recreation facilities.
2-a. Such plan and revision shall include the results of a survey of
local park and recreation programs throughout the state that identify
local park or recreation services which are unique, innovative or
budget-effective and which may be readily adaptive to other localities.
The findings from each such survey shall be maintained by the office
until such subsequent revision and shall be readily available to local
governments and their parks and recreation agencies.
2-b. Such plan shall describe the existing natural, ecological,
historic, cultural and recreational resources within the state park,
recreation and historic site system. It shall also identify any threats
to the quality of these resources and the types of actions that will be
taken to eliminate or substantially reduce such threats.
3. In formulating such plan and any such revisions, the office may:
(a) Conduct one or more public hearings;
(b) Consult with and cooperate with (i) officials of departments and
agencies of the state having duties and responsibilities concerning
parks and recreation; (ii) officials and representatives of the federal
government, of neighboring states and of interstate agencies having
duties and responsibilities relating to parks and recreation in this
state; (iii) officials and representatives of local government in the
state; (iv) officials and representatives of science, industry,
education (v) persons, organizations and groups, public, or private,
utilizing, served by, interested in or concerned with parks and
recreation of the state; and
(c) Request and receive from any department, division, board, bureau,
commission or other agency of the state or any political subdivision
thereof or any public authority such assistance and data as may be
necessary to enable the office to carry out its responsibilities under
this section.