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CWD Advisory Board Letter |
So our request is simple and straightforward. We ask that you to do what you can to stop the DNR from doing unproductive things
and to get them to focus on doing things that engage the public in a new CWD policy
partnership. We have indicated which things we think fall into
each category, and we have provided our arguments. We understand that reasonable
people may hold different views. Our concern is simply that state citizens
will suffer needlessly if problems that can be foreseen are not avoided.
And we point out that over the past 7 years the DNR has repeatedly launched
into actions which the people warned beforehand would be counterproductive.
That lack of agency accountability is a luxury we can no longer afford. The 5 objectionable plan proposals we have identified each work counter to the spirit of helping the people of Wisconsin live with the reality that CWD will be present in the wild deer herd for decades to come. For this reason, we think each of these alienating proposals should either be rejected or modified for the reasons we have given. Since we now know CWD is a slowly developing disease, we have time to explore alternatives. To gain wider support, policy needs to be more relaxed, incremental, and people oriented. In our tough economic times, accepting limits and restraints is a fact of life for all. The DNR, too, will have to adopt a new sense of proportion and moderation. What better way to leverage scarce DNR resources than by using the people as their agents in the field? Why not embrace the peoples' views and make them a bigger part of the solution? After all, the heart of the deer management challenge is to manage a public resource on private property. Unfortunately, the 5 inflaming proposals in this plan will thwart the need for greater cooperation. These 5 proposals all serve to cut the public out of the deer management equation. The chaotic history of Wisconsin CWD policy cannot be undone. But with your leadership it need not be lived again. The citizens of Wisconsin have entrusted you with the power and the responsibility to represent their interests. In this case we are asking you to scrutinize with great care the wish list of a small group of state agency advocates. It is our strong feeling that if the current plan makes its way unchallenged into a costly policy, many people are likely to view those responsible with ever growing hostility. Through this letter, a vast majority of Stakeholders and a number of concerned citizens are making you aware of what has been directly conveyed to CWD officials who wrote the plan. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss the ideas presented in this letter, and to discuss ways we might be of further assistance in improving future policy. Respectfully, SAG Members: Phil Muehrcke, Tony Grabski, Steve Gehrke, Scott Maves, Ken Vertein, Ken Anderson, Al Phelan, Ron Kulas, Steve Hookstead, Robert Page, Nick VanDriel, Al Brown Concerned Citizens: Mark Peck , Ross, Reinhold, Rob Wegner, Greg Phillips, Joe Brunker, Bob Benson, Casey FitzRandolph, Bret Peterson, Dale Schluter cc: Gov. Jim Doyle Alan Crossley, DNR, CWD Project Leader Dean Christine L Thomas, DNR Board Chair Sen. Jim Holperin, Senate TTF&NR Committee Chair Rep. Ann Hraychuck, Assembly F&W Committee Chair Sen. Dale Schultz Sen. Jon Erpenbach |