Wisconsin residents will have the opportunity to express support or non-support for an array of various resource management issues through the virtual DNR Spring Hearings and Conservation Congress meetings beginning Monday, April 11 starting at 7:00 p.m. The opportunity to go on-line and vote will be available for 72 hours.

The questions can be previewed on the Spring Hearing website (dnr.wi.gov) search spring hearings. The link to the survey will also be posted on the same web page by April 11. The county meetings are held jointly with the Department of Natural Resources Spring Hearings. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is a statutorily established advisory group to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.

Citizens have the opportunity to weigh in on natural resources issues that may affect them. The congress asks questions to gage the public support or lack thereof on given issues. Members of the Chippewa County Conservation delegation include Jim Morning, Bloomer, Chairman; Al Brown, Stanley, Vice Chairman; Don Dukerschein, Chippewa Falls; Kurt Loew, Bloomer; and Kevin Peterson, Cadott.

Results of the public’s input on proposals will be presented to the Natural Resources Board at its May 2022 meeting. If there is support for a proposal, the advisory questions could become a DNR rule change proposal in the following years.

This year the Conservation Congress will seek public input on 45 advisory questions on a number of topics which include:

• A proposal for mandatory tagging of all harvested deer.

• A proposal to re-establish the wearing of back tags for deer hunting.

• A proposal to require canoe and kayak registration.

• A proposal to protect the Lake Wissota walleye spawning population.

Any resolutions that are supported at the county level are advanced to one of many congress advisory committees and to the District Leadership Council for consideration. Last year there were over 400 resolutions submitted. According to Wisconsin Conservation Congress Chairman, Tony Blattler, not all resolutions pass, but those that do have a potential to become a rule, policy or legislative change in subsequent years. “It is a true grass roots process that empowers the citizens of this state to shape natural resource policy, “ he said.

This is the first tree that Selina Walters has ever dropped with a chainsaw.