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_ 516 Item Details($) Appropriations($) ITEM 367. First Year Second Year First Year Second Year FY2025 FY2026 FY2025 FY2026 second year from nongeneral funds is provided for the Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program. B. Out of the amounts appropriated in this item, $10,000 the first year and $10,000 the second year from nongeneral funds is provided for the Back Bay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Project. C. Out of the amounts appropriated in this item, $200,000 in the first year and $200,000 in the second year from the general fund is provided to the department to support two additional staff biologists to develop and administer a statewide plan to protect and restore native freshwater mussel species. The department is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with qualified nonprofit and private entities to assist in mussel restoration planning and implementation. D. Out of the amounts appropriated in this item, $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year from the Game Protection Fund is provided to the department to support two additional staff positions and related expenses for invasive species management and to take steps to eradicate or slow the spread of priority species. E. Out of this appropriation, $4,431,141 the first year from the general fund is provided for the Commonwealth's share of an Army Corps of Engineers project to construct a permanent habitat for Virginia's largest seabird colony. Any unexpended general fund balances designated for payment to the Army Corps of Engineers for the habitat project on June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, shall be reappropriated for expenditure for the same purpose. F. Out of the amounts appropriated in this item, $450,000 the first year from the general fund is provided to the Department to fund high priority wildlife crossing projects. The funding shall be prioritized by the department to implement wildlife crossing projects with the best likelihood of reducing wildlife and vehicle collisions, as determined by the hot spot analysis in the Commonwealth's Wildlife Corridor Action Plan pursuant to § 29.1-579, Code of Virginia. 368. Boating Safety and Regulation (62500) $8,895,885 $8,895,885 Boat Registration and Titling (62501) $2,727,895 $2,727,895 Boating Safety Information and Education (62502) $732,805 $732,805 Enforcement of Boating Safety Laws and Regulations (62503) $5,435,185 $5,435,185 Fund Sources: Dedicated Special Revenue $6,776,106 $6,776,106 Federal Trust $2,119,779 $2,119,779 Authority: Title 29.1, Chapters 7 and 8, Code of Virginia. Notwithstanding § 29.1-113 of the Code of Virginia, access fees at boat ramps owned or managed by the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) shall not be assessed prior to July 1, 2022, pending a study by DWR on the costs and benefits of such fees and the impact on recreational users in Virginia. As part of this study, the Department shall convene a stakeholder group for the purpose of developing and providing recommendations on access permit fees, various alternatives, and other issues related to the use and maintenance of Department-owned boat ramp facilities. The stakeholder work group shall be composed of representatives of registered boat owners, paddlecraft liveries, outdoor outfitters, environmental education providers, and other non-registered vessel recreational users of such boat ramps, or other affected parties the Department deems necessary. The work group shall consider mechanisms that will decrease the burden on outfitters, customers, education providers, and non-profit organizations; the usage of access fees to maintain or improve existing boat ramps and to add new boat ramps, paddlecraft launches, and public access points on Department-owned property; and alternative funding mechanisms and strategies that can increase access by economically disadvantaged users. 369. Administrative and Support Services (59900) $13,145,586 $13,145,586 General Management and Direction (59901) $8,043,115 $8,043,115 Information Technology Services (59902) $5,102,471 $5,102,471 Fund Sources: Dedicated Special Revenue $11,642,651 $11,642,651 Federal Trust $1,502,935 $1,502,935