Meetings Scheduled to Solicit Public Comment on Hunting and Fishing License Restructuring Proposal

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has scheduled six public meetings across the state to provide hunters, anglers and trappers with an opportunity to review and comment upon the proposed hunting and fishing license restructuring plan. These meetings will be held from January 29 through February 3.

“We are pleased to share this innovative license restructuring proposal with the sportsmen and women of West Virginia and welcome their thoughts, suggestions and comments on this important initiative,” said DNR Director Frank Jezioro. “Assistance and support from the sporting public will be essential as we strive to restructure the license system and ensure that both the Wildlife Resources Section and Law Enforcement Section of DNR remain viable and effective agencies of state government that foster and promote conservation, protection and management of the state's natural resources.”

An ‘Open House' format will be used during each of the scheduled pubic meetings. People may arrive at any time during the scheduled meeting, learn of the proposed license restructuring plan and fee structure, discuss these proposals with wildlife biologists and conservation officers and provide comment on the proposed changes. This meeting format will provide every member of the public with the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, make suggestions and react to the proposal in a constructive and informal setting. Many of these conversations and discussions will take place in small groups or one-on-one with agency staff.

Detailed information on the hunting and fishing license restructuring proposal is available at any of the DNR District Offices, Elkins Operations Center , and Charleston Headquarters or online at www.wvdnr.gov/licenseproposal . In addition to the series of public meetings being held from January 29 through February 3, written comments from the public are also welcome and may be sent to the following address: License Proposal, WV DNR, Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 812, Charleston , WV 25305 . The DNR is also accepting comment via email at the following address: licenseproposal@wvdnr.gov . All persons interested in attending the ‘Open Houses' scheduled in their area should note the following list of meeting dates and locations.

Saturday, January 29, 2005
Charleston Civic Center
Charleston , WV
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Monday, January 31, 2005
Buckhannon-Upshur High School
Buckhannon , WV
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 1, 2005
James Rumsey Vocational Institute
Martinsburg , WV
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005
East Fairmont High School
Fairmont , WV
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Raleigh County Armory - Civic Center
Beckley , WV
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 3, 2005
Parkersburg Municipal Building
Parkersburg , WV
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

**DNR**

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov