TWRA Makes Public Aware of Potential Legislative Action Concerning TWRC, Agency
Friday, March 19, 2010 | 08:05am
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency informed its governing board, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission and others in attendance at their regularly scheduled March meeting of possible legislation that could affect the future of the TWRC and the agency. This information came during the legislative update portion of the meeting, concerning legislation that would sunset the TWRC and/or the TWRA.
Every state governmental entity has a statutory termination date, generally referred to as a sunset provision. Each of these entities must periodically go through a process of review and their termination date extended by the legislature. On Thursday, March 11, 2010, the House Calendar and Rules Committee took action to stop the legislation (HB 2460) that would have given the normal four-year extension to the existence of the TWRC.
Without passage of this legislation in both the House and Senate, the TWRC will go into a one-year period of wind down to termination, beginning July 1, 2010. During this period of wind down/termination, the entity continues to operate, unimpeded by its impending termination.
“We felt it is important to make all those affected by the operation of the TWRA and the TWRC aware of what could possibly happen,” said Ed Carter, TWRA Executive Director. “We did not want our constituents or anyone else to find out about this at the 11th hour.
“Knowing where we stand with both the House and the Senate at this moment, our agency felt an obligation not only to the sportsmen of Tennessee, but all citizens who enjoy boating and wildlife watching, to let them know of the situation and the potential consequences regarding the future of the TWRA and its governing body, the TWRC. When the original Game and Fish Commission was formed in 1949, many state wildlife agencies across the country adopted what has become known as the Model Game and Fish Act and adopted the North American Principles for Wildlife Conservation.
“This model, considered sacred ground by some, was conceived to allow the management of fish and wildlife by trained professionals, governed primarily by a board of interested citizens. This model over time has served our state well and has allowed wildlife agencies across the country to make decisions regarding wildlife resources based on science and biology. The restoration of deer, turkey, and the bald eagle in Tennessee are prime examples of the many success stories.”
In other business at the meeting, Information and Education Division Chief, Don King, presented an overview of agency outreach programs across the state. A Video Presentation, “TWRA Today” was also made, depicting many of TWRA's functions and includes economic data relating to outdoor participation.
“This review of the rich history of the agency and commission and all they have accomplished over the past 60 years makes me proud to have the privilege to serve our state in this way,” said TWRC Chairman Mike Chase, at the conclusion of the video presentation. “It’s obvious to me that members of this commission who serve, those who have served before us and agency employees past and present, have been motivated to do great work because they truly believe in the future of wildlife and fish in Tennessee and want to make a positive impact.”
An overview of the Tennessee Angler Recognition Program that recognizes anglers for their outstanding catches, who may not qualify for the state record fish program, was made by Bobby Wilson, assistant chief of the Fisheries Division.
The TWRC received an update on the White Nose Syndrome (WNS). White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a fatal fungus that impacts bats in the eastern United States and has spread into Tennessee with its first confirmed cases two bats have tested positive while hibernating in Worley’s Cave in Sullivan County.
WNS was first discovered in the United States in 2006 in New York. Mortality rates for bats that contract WNS can exceed 90 percent. Richard Kirk, TWRA’s Nongame and Endangered Species Coordinator, gave an update to the TWRC.
Tim White, TWRA Waterfowl Coordinator, gave a status report on the sandhill crane. Tennessee is a member of the Mississippi Flyway Council, which provides recommendations to the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service on regulatory issues concerning migratory birds. The flyway’s technical section recently completed a management plan for the eastern population of sandhill cranes. The management plan lays the necessary groundwork for how sandhill cranes will be managed and monitored by the flyway, and is a prerequisite to the establishment of any hunting season for cranes.
Brett Dunlap, USDA Wildlife Services Director for Tennessee and Kentucky spoke to the commission concerning the progressing feral hog problems. Feral hogs continue to generate damage problems for private landowners across Tennessee and many states across the southeast, and they are also reservoirs for diseases that are of significant concern for agricultural livestock producers. Dunlap reviewed possible strategies and solutions to better address feral hog problems, such as ways to control the growing population.
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