WGF Comments to DNR on Draft Black Bear Plan

Tom Hauge & Adrian WydevenWI Green Fire, April 14, 2019

To: Dr. Scott Walter, WDNR Large Carnivore Specialist

Subject: Wisconsin Green Fire Review of Draft Black Bear Management Plan, 2019 -2029

Thank you for the opportunity to offer our comments on the draft black bear management plan. Our wildlife work group membership has extensive experience in the conservation of this species and are very interested in helping WDNR develop a plan to guide future efforts. We want to express our thanks to all involved in producing this draft of the plan. We understand that a lot effort went into draft plan and it is a great improvement of the last published black bear management plan of 1981.

Our understanding is that the Department intends to review all the public comments received from the five public hearings and online comments and prepare a final version of the plan for Natural Resources Board adoption at its May 22nd meeting. We are very concerned that there will be inadequate time for the public to review and discuss the final version of the plan before having to provide their support or concerns to the Natural Resources Board. We strongly recommend that the Department delay Natural Resource Board consideration of the final plan until the June or August meetings. This is a 10-year plan and the public deserves adequate time to consider the merits of this proposed plan prior to its adoption.

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