Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan recommendations open for public comment starting Tuesday, Dec. 20

MADISON - Wisconsin's citizens have continued to embrace a larger role in deer management, and Tuesday, Dec. 20 marks the beginning of an opportunity to provide input regarding Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan recommendations.

Over the past several months, the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, and Wisconsin Conservation Congress have sponsored a stakeholder-based CWD Response Plan review committee to discuss and review the DNR's 15-year Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan. The plan covers action items like CWD surveillance and monitoring, hunting season tools, captive deer regulations, biosecurity and safety, research, and public involvement.

Review committee recommendations will be released for online public comment from Dec. 20, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017. To view the recommendations and provide feedback online, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' website at dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "CWD response plan."

Following the close of the public comment period, public feedback will be shared with each County Deer Advisory Council for review and discussion during January CDAC meetings. Citizens can also send public comments directly to council members before January CDAC meetings or present their comments during the public comment section of these meetings.

A list of council members and meeting locations for each county can be found at keyword "CDAC" - click "find" to search for county information.

Council recommendations will be provided to the response plan review committee in late January to help finalize the committee's review of the response plan. The final recommendation package will be sent to the Natural Resources Board for approval in March 2017.

For more information regarding chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin, search keyword "CWD."

Article Date: Central Office December 14, 2016
Article Source: Wisconsin DNR
Contact(s): Kevin Wallenfang, DNR deer and elk ecologist, 608-261-7589; Bob Nack, DNR big game section chief, 608-264-6137