For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Wisconsin residents can express support or non-support for an array of resource management issues through the virtual Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spring hearings and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC)s’ annual county meetings beginning Monday, April 11, a release from WCC said.
The opportunity will be available for 72 hours. The questions can be previewed on the Spring Hearing website (www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing). The link to the survey will also be posted on this same webpage by April 11.
WCC said the county meetings are held jointly with the spring hearings.
“Results of the public’s input on these proposals will be presented to the Natural Resources Board in May 2022,” WCC stated. “If there is support for a proposal, the advisory question could become a DNR rule change proposal in following years.”
This year, WCC will seek public input on 45 advisory questions on a range of topics, including proposals to extend the nine-day gun deer registration deadline, remove the Burbot from the list of Wisconsin Rough Fish and require canoe and kayak registration.
“Conservation Congress advisory questions generally originate from citizens’ ideas,” said Tony Blattler, Chair of WCC. “If resolutions presented at the county level are supported, the resolution is advanced to one of the Congress’ advisory committees and the District Leadership Council for consideration.”
Blatter said there were over 400 resolutions submitted last year.
“Not all resolutions pass, but the ones that do have the potential to become a rule, policy or legislative change in the subsequent years,” he stated. “It is a true grassroots process that empowers the citizens of this state to shape natural resources policy.”
About WCC
As established by Wisconsin State Statutes, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress is officially recognized as the only natural resources advisory body in the state where citizens elect delegates to represent their interests on natural resources issues on a local and statewide level to the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources. Their mission is to “represent the citizens of Wisconsin by working with the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources to effectively manage Wisconsin’s greatest asset, our abundant natural resources, for present and future generations to enjoy,” according to the release.