DNR seeking public input on Beaver Management Plan

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on the state's Beaver Management Plan.

In a release, the DNR explained that Wisconsin's current Beaver Management Plan, adopted in 2015, was designed to guide and inform statewide beaver management practices and priorities for a period of 10 years.

“As part of the management plan revision process, the DNR has convened the Beaver Management Plan Committee, which is comprised of representatives from tribal agencies, hunting and trapping organizations, conservation partners and Conservation Congress members, as well as technical staff from the DNR and federal agencies,” the DNR stated. “Collaboration among this broad suite of partners will help ensure that the various interests and perspectives related to beavers are considered during plan development.”

The new plan will guide the management of beavers in Wisconsin for the next 10 years.

The DNR said it “values public input and believes that it is essential for Wisconsinites to provide feedback for the committee to consider and discuss.” 

An online public input form and supporting information are available on the DNR's Beaver Management Plan webpage for those interested in submitting comments. The DNR said anyone interested in Wisconsin's beaver management is encouraged to participate. 

Individuals may also submit comments via email to Shawn Rossler, DNR Furbearer Specialist, at Shawn.Rossler@wisconsin.gov.

Comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.

After the public input period, the Beaver Management Plan Committee will convene to review the feedback collected. The DNR said it will consider input from the public and the Beaver Management Plan committee when developing a first draft of the Beaver Management Plan.

Once ready, the draft plan will be made available for public review and comment. Feedback from that round of public input will then be reviewed, and the DNR will make any appropriate changes before presenting the draft plan to the Natural Resources Board for final approval.

More information, including the scheduling of a public input period and consideration by the Natural Resources Board, will be announced as soon as it becomes available, according to the DNR.