justnorth posted on March 26, 2007 05:11 :: 1458 Views
People who help support managing Wisconsin’s fish and wildlife and their habitat through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and taxes on the equipment and gear they purchase to pursue those activities – and everyone who cares about Wisconsin’s fish and wildlife -- can help guide how those funds should be used in Wisconsin over the next six years.
Each year, the Department of Natural Resources receives approximately $15 million in federal grants to help manage sport fish and wildlife populations. A portion of the $68 million coming from the sale of state hunting and fishing licenses is used to match those federal funds. To receive the federal grants, the department must prepare a “Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan” to guide how those funds will be spent over the next six years.
“Wisconsinites care deeply about our state’s fish and wildlife and about their pursuit of outdoor recreation,” says DNR Secretary Scott Hassett. “We’re seeking their help in identifying major challenges and priorities for the next six years.”
Hassett notes that license funds and federal grants enabled the department to carry out many of the priorities that were set in the 2001-2007 Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan. Among the accomplishments:
- restoring 150 miles of trout streams and removing 32 dams to improve fish habitat;
- upgrading or building 180 boating and shore fishing access sites;
- leasing 72,000 acres of land each year for public hunting;
- stocking almost 70 million fish in Wisconsin waters and over 400,000 pheasants on public lands;
- restoring and maintaining 8,500 acres of wetlands and 200,000 acres of grasslands;
- fighting chronic wasting disease, and sampling for avian flu and West Nile Virus diseases; and
- hiring new warden recruit classes in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
“These are great times for hunters and anglers in Wisconsin and for everyone who cares about our natural resources,” Hassett says, “but it didn’t happen by accident. The financial support we receive from hunters and anglers enabled us, working with you, our partners, to provide the outdoor opportunities that makes Wisconsin home.”
In the last year:
- Lake Michigan anglers reeled in the second highest number of chinook in 40 years;
- anglers caught more than 60 musky over 48 inches, including a 54 lb., 10 oz. monster from the Lower Fox River and a 51-lb., 2-oz Vilas County fish;
- hunters harvested just under 500,000 white-tailed deer, the state’s third highest total ever;
- anglers set seven new state fish records;
- a record number of hunters were able to enjoy spring and fall turkey hunting seasons; and
- Wisconsin ranked in the top 5 states in harvest of black bear, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey.
DNR staff have begun to identify numerous natural resources management challenges and priorities for the next six years. These include changing land use patterns and habitat loss, conflicts among outdoor recreation users, invading, non-native species and wildlife diseases, a Wisconsin population that is increasingly more urban, providing a variety of fish and wildlife recreation opportunities for a diverse public, conserving declining species and threatened habitats and passing along a conservation ethic to the next generation.
“These are some of the challenges and priorities from our perspective but we need to hear from the public and what it thinks is important,” Hassett says.
People can fill out an online survey through the DNR Web site or may print a questionnaire off the Web site and mail it to the department.
“We need your help to shape a plan to safeguard and improve outdoor opportunities for the future,” Hassett says. “Help us develop Wisconsin’s game plan for assuring that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same great fish and wildlife resources we now enjoy.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Barb Zellmer at - (608) 266-8724
Article Source:
http://justnorth.com/Articles/tabid/105/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/12/justnorth.aspx