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Fish and Wildlife Hearings

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Crawford County citizens give 

input on fish and wildlife rules

High-capacity wells, railroads part of discussion

By Ted Pennekamp

 

There were approximately 25 people who attended the 2017 Department of Natural Resources Spring Fish and Wildlife Rule Hearing and Wisconsin Conservation Congress meeting for Crawford County held in the Prairie du Chien High School auditorium Monday night. 

The annual hearings are held in all 72 of Wisconsin’s counties at the same time. Statewide, 5,073 citizens attended.

The spring fish and wildlife hearings and Conservation Congress meetings feature nonbinding votes and testimony on proposed rule changes as well as advisory topics relating to fish and wildlife management. This year, there were 88 questions on the ballot, with 49 of those being Conservation Congress advisory questions. 

“There was not much controversy this year,” said DNR Warden for Crawford County Cody Adams, who noted that an attendance figure of about 25 for Crawford County is about average.

“A handful of people submitted resolutions to give the DNR more authority in regulating high-capacity wells,” said Adams.

A bill regarding high-capacity wells has been a hot topic throughout the state lately. On April 5, the state Senate approved the Republican bill that would relax high-capacity well regulations. The Senate voted 19-13 to approve the bill which would exempt well repairs, replacements, reconstructions and ownership transfers from state oversight. An existing permit for such a well would never expire.

The bill also calls for the DNR to study lakes and streams in the central sands region to determine whether special measures are needed to protect ground and surface water from depletion.

Adams also said that Crawford County voted overwhelmingly (24-1) in favor of allowing people to cross railroad tracks for the purposes of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. All 72 counties approved the proposal. Statewide the total was 3,652-290.

All 72 counties approved of requiring public notice to be sent to area residents within a two-mile radius of an application for a high-capacity well. Statewide the vote was 4,046-207. In Crawford County, the total was 24-2.

All 72 counties also approved of including the authority to suspend approvals for high-capacity wells that have caused impact or impairment. Statewide the vote was 3,988-231. The Crawford County vote was 24-2.

Seventy-one counties approved of eliminating the fall turkey permit drawing in favor of over-the-counter issuance. The state vote was 3,052-1,141. In Crawford County, the vote was 19-7.

Fifty-five counties approved of increasing the inland waters trout stamp fee. The state vote was 2,395-1,483. The Crawford County vote was 19-8.

A proposal to have three fish over 18 inches as a daily bag limit on the Mississippi River for walleyes from March 1 to May 31 was approved by 69 counties. Statewide the vote was 2,487-651. In Crawford County, the vote was 24-3 in favor.

Having a Mississippi River slot limit for walleyes of 15 to 18 inches from March 1 to May 31 was approved in 66 counties. Statewide it was approved 2,126-862. In Crawford County it was approved 15-9.

Having the wild turkey be the Wisconsin Game Bird was approved in 64 counties. Statewide the vote was 2,492-1,316. In Crawford County, the vote was 21-4 in favor.

Fifty-nine counties voted in favor of supporting incentive programs such as tax breaks, deductions, etc. for property owners who allow access for deer hunting. The state vote total was 2,216-1,537. The Crawford County vote was 16-9.

The public’s input on the 88 questions is advisory and will be presented to the Natural Resources Board in May of 2017.

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