For Immediate Release December, 2 2011
Sen. Kathleen Vinehout introduced a bill to preserve the voice of Wisconsin’s hunters, anglers and trappers in the setting of conservation rules.
“Changes in state government have lessened the voice of conservation-minded citizens,” said Senator Vinehout. “This proposal will restore their influence.”
Earlier this year lawmakers made changes in the way state government sets rules. The law limits the role of the Conservation Congress. The Congress has given citizens a voice in conservation matters since 1934.
Vinehout credits Buffalo County dairy farmer Mark Noll with the legislative idea. Mark serves as the county delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
“The Conservation Congress procedure does take time,” said Noll. “But it produces good, sound direction for statewide conservation efforts.”
Vinehout’s bill modifies ‘Act 21’, the new law that changes the way state government creates administrative rules.
“Act 21 adds extra time to the proven process of setting hunting, fishing and trapping rules,” said Noll. “Act 21 will be detrimental to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and ultimately to the natural resources and people of Wisconsin.”
Vinehout’s bill has the support of George Meyer of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Meyer calls ‘Act 21’ “truly excessive government red tape and overkill.”
Contact: Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (608) 266-8546
# # #
