MADISON — More than 10,700 people participated in the 2019 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings, the organizations announced today in a joint news release.
The public hearings were held in all 72 counties on April 8. While 3,402 attended a hearing in person, another 7,310 participated online.
Statewide hearing results and the questions are available at dnr.wi.gov, Search for keywords “spring hearings.”
Meeting results, along with written comments on the evening’s questions and DNR recommendations are used to advise the state Natural Resources Board. This year’s results will be reviewed at the board’s May 22 meeting in Madison. Votes are non-binding and are presented to the Natural Resources Board as a gauge of the public’s support or non-support for proposed changes.
The hearings are held annually on the second Monday in April in conjunction with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings. DNR-related proposals are presented to attendees by DNR staff. Following DNR business, the meeting is reconvened as a Conservation Congress meeting and Congress advisory questions are presented.
The spring hearings also provide an opportunity for citizens of each county to elect Wisconsin Conservation Congress delegates to represent them on natural resource issues. The Conservation Congress is the only statutorily recognized citizen advisory body to the Natural Resources Board. During the Congress’ portion of the hearing, residents can introduce resolutions for consideration and vote by those attending the hearings.
