Commissioners to Address a Variety of Issues May 23

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NGPC news release, 5/8/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners will conduct one public hearing and address a number of issues at their meeting at the Lake McConaughy Interpretive and Visitor Center north of Ogallala on May 23. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. M.S.T.

A public hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. in which the commissioners will consider the addition of Shell Lake in Cherry County to the current list of wildlife management areas that allow all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to operate over the ice.

The commissioners will also take action on a number of other issues, including:

-- a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to establish an apprentice hunter education exemption certificate for a fee of $5;

-– a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider amendments to hunting seasons and regulations pertaining to coots, ducks, geese, crow and falconry;

-- a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider amendments to state park regulations for the purpose of regulating installation and use of seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area; and, to allow public hunting on all or parts of Fort Atkinson State Historical Park;

-- a recommendation to amend fees for state parks facilities and activities;

-- a recommendation regarding an easement at Randall W. Schilling WMA for the purpose of construction, operation and maintenance of a flow-through chute;

-- a recommendation requesting approval of the operating and capital improvement budgets for fiscal year 2008-2009;

-- a recommendation to acquire a 115.16-acre tract of wildlife land in Clay County;

-- a recommendation regarding shooting range grant application prioritization;

-- a recommendation regarding entering into an agreement with Pheasants Forever to provide wildlife management assistance through joint management planning and provide for a Pheasants Forever biologist;

– presentation by staff concerning the recruitment, retention and development of Nebraska hunters entitled, “The Nebraska Hunter, What Do We Know About Them?;

– information regarding the public input process to delist the bald eagle under the State Endangered Species Act;

– preview of the 2008 public input and season setting processes for waterfowl hunting;

– information regarding lapsed-angler direct mail promotion with Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation;

– information regarding the Nebraska Outdoor EXPO in Kearney;

– an appearance of Kristy Ferguson regarding trapping at Lake McConaughy;

– appearances of the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (NRD), Lower Niobrara NRD, Upper Loop NRD, and Upper Elkhorn NRD to discuss the Niobrara River