Commissioners Tackle a Variety of Issues May 23 at Ogallala

[Bumpus]

NGPC news release, 5/23/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners amended regulations to add Shell Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cherry County to the list of areas where all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles may be operated over the ice and addressed a number of other issues at a meeting at the Lake McConaughy Interpretive and Visitor Center north of Ogallala on May 23.

The commissioners also:

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

- approved 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;

- approved 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;

- approved a staff recommendation to assess an $800 seasonal rental fee (April 1-Oct. 1) for new 26-foot docks being installed at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area; a $50 fee for an all-day trail ride at Fort Robinson State Park; and a $20 fee for a family pass to the theater productions at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. The pass will admit two adults and two children age 12 years or younger. Each additional family member must pay the normal price;

- approved the operating and capital improvement budgets for fiscal year 2008- 2009;

- voted to acquire a 115.16-acre tract of wildlife land in Clay County that will be an addition to the Bluewing WMA and managed for wildlife diversity and hunting;

- approved the recommendations of the 2008 Range Grant Committee for projects to be funded by the Shooting Range Grant Assistance Program. The approved proposals and the amounts of the grants were: Alliance Rifle Club, $23,682; Lincoln Izaak Walton League, $17,342; and Kearney Community Foundation, $18,332;

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

- heard information from Kristy Ferguson regarding trapping at Lake McConaughy;

- heard information pertaining to the Niobrara River from representatives of the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (NRD), Lower Niobrara NRD, Upper Loup NRD, and Upper Elkhorn NRD.