Conservation Congress to meet Monday

Wisconsin residents will be able to nominate and elect local representatives to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and express support or non-support for a range of advisory questions on conservation and natural resources management issues at the Congress' spring meetings held in every county of the state on April 12 starting at 7 p.m.

The county meeting is held jointly with the Department of Natural Resources Spring Hearings.

For those unfamiliar with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, it is a statutorily established advisory group to the state Natural Resources Board on all natural resource issues.

"In Dodge County, the joint DNR and Conservation Congress annual county meeting will be held at the Horicon City Hall, in Horicon," said Dale Maas, chair of the Dodge County delegation.

At the meetings, citizens will have the opportunity to comment and register their support or non-support for congress proposals that someday could become the rules that regulate fishing, hunting, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities in Wisconsin. They may also submit resolutions addressing conservation needs or concerns they observe.

This year the Conservation Congress will seek public input on 36 advisory questions on a range of topics, some of which include:

n A proposal to reduce lead in fishing tackle used in Wisconsin waters.

n A proposal to allow the hunting of fox and coyote over bait.

n A proposal to lower the crossbow eligibility to 55.

n A proposal to allow a sports license to be issued for gun or bow deer hunting.

n Numerous statewide and local suggestions for enhancing fishing opportunities on n Wisconsin's lake and rivers.

n Various proposals relating to black bear hunting.

n Proposals to require captive cervid farm owners to reimburse DNR for expenses relating to animal escapes and require double gates on cervid farms.

"Conservation Congress advisory questions originate from citizens with good ideas" said Ed Harvey, Chairman of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. "If resolutions presented at the county level meetings are supported, the resolution is advanced to one of the Congress' study committees and the Congress Executive Council for consideration.

"Each year, there are over 200 resolutions submitted locally, not all pass, but the ones that do begin their journey to become a rule, policy or legislative change in the subsequent years," Harvey said. "It is a true grassroots process that empowers the citizens of this state to shape natural resources policy."

Anyone submitting resolutions must submit two copies of their resolution types or neatly printed on 8 ½ by 11 inch white paper.

In addition to the Congress advisory questions, the county meeting is also reserved for the election of delegates to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. To vote for Congress delegates, one must be 18 and provide identification along with proof of residency in the county.

"There will be two seats up for election, in Dodge County in 2009," said Dale Maas. "Any citizen of the county, who is a Wisconsin resident and is at least 18 may be nominated to the congress for two or three year term. Nominees must be willing to volunteer their time and represent their local citizens on natural resources issues."