Public invited to WI Conservation Congress Spring Hearing
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are once again offering their annual opportunity for the public to provide input on a variety of natural resource-related questions by attending the Spring Hearing for Clark County at the Greenwood High School cafetorium, 306 W. Central Ave., this Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m.
At the meeting, Clark County residents will have the opportunity to hear and vote on citizen resolutions pertaining to conservation issues. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, DNR wardens, and more will be on hand along with WCC delegates to review Spring Hearing questions and discuss resource management and local issues of interest. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions of these officials.
Previous citizen resolutions have included such topics as panfish harvest regulations, deer management zones, wake regulations, water management plans, building accessible cabins at state campgrounds, and many more. Citizens had the opportunity earlier this year to submit proposed resolutions for consideration. The submission window is now closed.
The agenda for the meeting is as follows. – 6 p.m. Arrive and sign in – 6:30 p.m. DNR staff presentations – 7 p.m. WCC delegate elections – Following: Receive input on citizen resolutions and review the Spring Hearing questions with DNR staff and WCC delegates.
There will be three ways to vote on the Spring Hearing questions: by paper ballot at the meeting, electronically on one’s device at the meeting, or online through April 16 at 6 p.m. Even if a person is unable to attend the meeting, they may still go online and vote. The questions can be accessed by visiting dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc/springhearing or https://dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1521, or by scanning the QR code above. The voting portal will open April 14.
There are 43 questions submitted by the DNR’s Natural Resources Board and 31 questions from the WCC, for a total of 74 questions statewide.
WCC delegate elections Two of the five WCC delegate seats in each county are up for election. County residents wanting to run for a seat or vote for delegates must provide proof of residency at the Spring Hearing.
The WCC is the only statutory body in the state where citizens elect delegates to advise the Natural Resources Board and DNR on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s natural resources for present and future generations. Its vision is “to strengthen and enhance our ability to gather and convey the wisdom and influence of Wisconsin citizens in the formation of natural resource policy, research, education, and conservation.” For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc.
