The Wisconsin DNR will hold a virtual public listening session for the proposed Wolf Management Plan on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. as part of the public review and comment period. This listening session is an opportunity for anyone interested to provide input on the proposed plan while the public review and comment period remains open until Feb. 28.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Krentz says while the organization appreciates the effort, it’s disappointed the DNR did not schedule an in-person public hearing because the virtual format allows non-residents to influence the Wolf Management Plan.
“Wisconsin Farm Bureau, along with other state agriculture groups, will call on the DNR to hold an in-person public listening session located in primary wolf habitat,” Krentz says. “The Wolf Management Plan must have buy-in from rural Wisconsin residents but allowing outstate activists to co-opt the process is not the way to move forward.”
Registration is required by noon CST on Feb. 6 for anyone wishing to provide comment on the proposed plan during the virtual listening session. Registrants will speak in the order of which they’ve signed up, and each speaker will have two minutes. Speakers are also encouraged to review the plan on the DNR’s Wolf Management Plan webpage before joining the hearing.
Members of the public who do not wish to provide testimony during the hearing and only want to listen can watch a live feed of the hearing on the DNR’s YouTube channel. After the event, the recording will be accessible on YouTube for on-demand viewing.
DNR staff will give a brief overview of the plan, and the public comment period will immediately follow. To make sure we hear from everyone who registers to speak, staff will not be addressing questions.
In addition to the public listening session, the DNR will continue to accept comments through the Online Comment Tool, email ([email protected]) or through the mail until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28.
Please mail comments to:
Wolf Management Plan Comments
101 S. Webster St.
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Laurie Groskopf says
This listening session is a reaction to another listening/sharing session to be held in Solon Springs, Douglas Co. at the Community Center on Sat. Feb. 18. The public will have a chance to share thoughts on the draft wolf management plan in person. To be held 11 – 2:30, this session is focused on rural people who interact with wolves, particularly farmers and hunters, and will be audio recorded and sent to DNR staff. Sponsored by the WI Wildlife Federation and WI Association of Sporting Dogs.