Reference the earlier post on this year’s Wisconsin Conservation Congress question about neonics. Besides that question, there are several more on which you might be interested in submitting comments. Participating in this citizen advisory opportunity is especially important these days in light of the current political climate.
The questionnaire/ballot is filled with the usual questions about fishing, hunting and trapping, but it also contains these:
Question 16: Do you support a $5 annual fee for all users between the ages of 16 and 64 of state fishery, wildlife, natural areas and leased public hunting grounds and dedicating the funds to directly support fish and wildlife habitat management and infrastructure on these properties.
Question 19: Should we encourage legislators and WDNR to support science and market based legislation and rules to reduce the risk of global warming and increase the use of renewable energy resources.
Question 20: Do you support water basin management plans to reduce and control run of as partial mitigation for damage.
Question 33: Do you support requiring all students under the age of 15 to have a minimum of one field day of hands-on experience in hunter, bowhunter, ATV and boater safety classes in order to become certified.
Question 43: Do you support establishing new rules designating the entire karstic areas of Wisconsin, both dolomite and calcareous bedrock areas, as sensitive areas meriting special groundwater protection by the State and freeing municipal governments to make additional rules and regulations based on local geological consideration.
Question 44: Do you support conducting hydrogeological surveys in counties where none have yet been done.
Questions 49-52: Should the State require non-motorized watercraft to be registered, but exempt hunters, trappers and fishers who already pay a fee, and create a separate rate for organizations with multiple watercraft.
For background on each question, go to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Hearings Questionnaire
If you have any concerns about these questions, please plan to attend the Hearings or send your comments to the WDNR.
Hearings Locations
The hearings will be held in each county of Wisconsin on April 9, 2018 at 7:00PM. Everyone attending has a chance to speak on behalf of any of the questions — pro or con. Everyone attending has the opportunity to cast their vote — yes or no — on each question. These citizen advisory ballots are then presented to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Where to Send Comments
If you are not able to attend the hearings personally, your comments should be submitted to the Wisconsin DNR no later than April 9, 2018. Send your comments to:
•Fisheries Rule Coordinator, Scott Loomans, 101 South Webster St. PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, (608) 266-5206, scott.loomans@wisconsin.gov
•Wildlife Rule Coordinator, Scott Karel, 101 South Webster St., PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, (608) 267-2452, scottr.karel@wisconsin.gov
These citizen advisory ballots are then presented to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).