06-05-2004, 03:52 PM
Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 12:00 AM |
DWR seeking new volunteer for grass-roots level council
Caleb Warnock THE DAILY HERALD
Wanted: Person to formulate hunting regulations for animals large and small, decide permit fees, protect wildlife habitats and set policy for controversial wildlife issues.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is asking for a volunteer from Utah County or the surrounding area to serve on the wildlife regional advisory council for central Utah.
Steve Phillips of the DWR said five such councils around the state, commonly referred to as RACs, are responsible for helping the state make decisions about how wildlife and related issues are managed.
"The purpose of the RAC is to gather public input at the grass-roots level regarding management of Utah's wildlife," he said. "They do that by having eight to 10 meetings throughout the year, and these meetings occur in different locations around the state."
The councils are made up of 10 to 15 volunteers who represent organizations ranging from sport hunting advocates to environmental watchdogs. Each council also has an "at-large" representative who does not represent any particular group, and it is this position the DWR is now trying to fill in the central region.
"The whole idea is to get a spectrum of representation from the public regarding wildlife management," Phillips said. "A person who is a member of a RAC attends meetings, listens to public input, and -- depending on the nature of the agenda item, for example big-game hunting regulation or fishing regulation -- they would then vote on whether they approve or disapprove of those regulations."
Mark Hadley of the DWR said those who want to be considered for the position need only apply.
"The at-large position is an interesting one," he said. "They are not supposed to be representing any particular type of interest, so someone who would fit that would be someone who has a broad interest in wildlife. Maybe they are interested in hunting and fishing and also in wildlife viewing. I can guarantee that everyone who applies will be considered."
The decisions of each RAC are then reported to the state wildlife management board, which has final say over wildlife management issues, he said.
"They get a lot of different viewpoints, and they come up with a vote, and the vote might be different than the opinion you shared or you might get their support, but you are guaranteed to get people to listen to your views," Hadley said. "It is a great learning opportunity. If you've got some ideas about how the state's wildlife should be managed, you can come to the meeting and have your voice heard."
Phillips said the Utah wildlife board takes the decisions of the five RACs very seriously.
"The wildlife board relies heavily on the input they receive from the wildlife councils," he said. "If the Utah wildlife board votes to oppose the RACs, then they must let the RAC know why they opposed it. It is unusual for the wildlife board not to accept the recommendation of the council, or least to take into account the recommendation."
Nomination forms may be downloaded at [url "http://www.wildlife.utah.gov"]www.wildlife.utah.gov[/url] by clicking on "Board/RACs," then "Documents." Nomination forms also may be obtained at any DWR office. For more information, contact Steve Phillips at (801) 538-4718 or e-mail at [url "mailto
tevephillips@utah.gov"]stevephillips@utah.gov[/url].
Caleb Warnock can be reached at 344-2543 or [url "mailto:cwarnock@heraldextra.com"]cwarnock@heraldextra.com[/url].
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.
[signature]
DWR seeking new volunteer for grass-roots level council
Caleb Warnock THE DAILY HERALD
Wanted: Person to formulate hunting regulations for animals large and small, decide permit fees, protect wildlife habitats and set policy for controversial wildlife issues.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is asking for a volunteer from Utah County or the surrounding area to serve on the wildlife regional advisory council for central Utah.
Steve Phillips of the DWR said five such councils around the state, commonly referred to as RACs, are responsible for helping the state make decisions about how wildlife and related issues are managed.
"The purpose of the RAC is to gather public input at the grass-roots level regarding management of Utah's wildlife," he said. "They do that by having eight to 10 meetings throughout the year, and these meetings occur in different locations around the state."
The councils are made up of 10 to 15 volunteers who represent organizations ranging from sport hunting advocates to environmental watchdogs. Each council also has an "at-large" representative who does not represent any particular group, and it is this position the DWR is now trying to fill in the central region.
"The whole idea is to get a spectrum of representation from the public regarding wildlife management," Phillips said. "A person who is a member of a RAC attends meetings, listens to public input, and -- depending on the nature of the agenda item, for example big-game hunting regulation or fishing regulation -- they would then vote on whether they approve or disapprove of those regulations."
Mark Hadley of the DWR said those who want to be considered for the position need only apply.
"The at-large position is an interesting one," he said. "They are not supposed to be representing any particular type of interest, so someone who would fit that would be someone who has a broad interest in wildlife. Maybe they are interested in hunting and fishing and also in wildlife viewing. I can guarantee that everyone who applies will be considered."
The decisions of each RAC are then reported to the state wildlife management board, which has final say over wildlife management issues, he said.
"They get a lot of different viewpoints, and they come up with a vote, and the vote might be different than the opinion you shared or you might get their support, but you are guaranteed to get people to listen to your views," Hadley said. "It is a great learning opportunity. If you've got some ideas about how the state's wildlife should be managed, you can come to the meeting and have your voice heard."
Phillips said the Utah wildlife board takes the decisions of the five RACs very seriously.
"The wildlife board relies heavily on the input they receive from the wildlife councils," he said. "If the Utah wildlife board votes to oppose the RACs, then they must let the RAC know why they opposed it. It is unusual for the wildlife board not to accept the recommendation of the council, or least to take into account the recommendation."
Nomination forms may be downloaded at [url "http://www.wildlife.utah.gov"]www.wildlife.utah.gov[/url] by clicking on "Board/RACs," then "Documents." Nomination forms also may be obtained at any DWR office. For more information, contact Steve Phillips at (801) 538-4718 or e-mail at [url "mailto
tevephillips@utah.gov"]stevephillips@utah.gov[/url]. Caleb Warnock can be reached at 344-2543 or [url "mailto:cwarnock@heraldextra.com"]cwarnock@heraldextra.com[/url].
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.
[signature]