Agenda - 02-15-2005-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Proposal for State Controlled Hunting ~' -J September 15, 2004 Page 2 of 3 Discussions with WRC Staff As noted in the attached letter of August 19, 2004, recent discussions with WRC staff have identified an opportunity to resolve several outstanding issues at one time through the creation of aWRC-managed permit hunting program on the 500-acre Mitigation Tract. WRC staff have indicated that if such a program were acceptable to OWASA and the program was established, then the Corps of Engineers would likely relieve OWASA of the obligation to open the reservoir for hunting. An additional benefit of the permit- controlled hunting program is that the Mitigation Tract would be posted and patrolled by WRC game wazdens, who have significantly more enforcement authority than OWASA field staff; A general description of such a program is provided in the attached letter. A permit- controlled deer hunting program would limit the number of hunters on the property at any one time to a maximum of five, probably for three days a week during the deer season; hunting would be permitted with bows and arrows, muzzle loaders, or shotguns only - not with high-powered rifles; and the entire process of permitting, registration, and enforcement would be managed by the NCWRC. In addition to concurrence by the OWASA Board of Directors, establishment of a pemvt hunting program on the Mitigation Tract would require formal approval by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission after duly conducted public hearings on this and other proposed WRC programs, Next Steps It is our understanding that WRC staff level work is proceeding with this proposal, but we have advised WRC staff that the OWASA Board of Directors must first approve the concept of a permit hunting program on the Mitigation Tract before it appeazs on the WRC's official list of proposals. WRC staff will be present at the Board's September 23, 2004 meeting to provide additional information and answer questions, but no Boazd action will be sought at this time. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board receive this report and seek any additional information that maybe needed to support a decision on the permit hunting proposal. We recommend that the Board consider action at a later meeting. I~' ,'ALL--~' Edward A. Holland, AICP Planning Director Attachments