DNR to take public testimony on Sporting Heritage Grant
MADISON -- Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp announced that public testimony will be taken on the Sporting Heritage Grant application submitted by United Sportsmen of Wisconsin, Inc. at the meeting of the Sporting Heritage Grant Committee. The meeting starts at 9 a.m., Thursday, August 29, 2013 in Room GO9 in the State Natural Resources Building, 101 South Webster St., Madison. Similar to other public hearings by the DNR, commenters should appear in person. Testimony will be limited to the merits of the application before the committee and will be limited to 3 minutes in length.
Under Wisconsin Act 20 the DNR is mandated to provide a grant of $200,000 in 2013-2014 and $300,000 in 2014-2015 to a non-profit organization to provide education to people engaged in hunting, fishing and trapping. The grant must be used to provide education to people who hunt, fish and trap and to operate programs to recruit people to become hunters, fishers and trappers and to encourage people to stay involved in these activities. The law also created the Sporting Heritage Grant Committee to review any grant applications and it further says that the grant must be awarded by Sept. 3, 2013.
“I have decided that we need to listen to the comments from the public on this important grant,” Stepp said. “Grant applications are normally routine work that the department does all the time, but this issue has gotten some public attention and I have directed the committee to take public testimony”.
The Sporting Heritage Grant Committee makes a recommendation to DNR Secretary Stepp who makes the final decision.