Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : June 30, 2006

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Lt. Col. David Murphy, Law Enforcement Section Acting Chief (304) 558-2784 law@wvdnr.gov

DNR Files Legislative Rules for Review

  The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has filed legislative rule changes with the Secretary of State's office, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the DNR Wildlife Resources Section and Lt. Col. David Murphy, Acting Chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Section. The proposed Wildlife Resources rules will be open for review and written comment until 4 p.m. on July 21, 2006 . The proposed Law Enforcement rule will be open for review and written comment until 10 a.m. on July 28, 2006.

  The availability of the proposed rules will be advertised in the State Register . In addition, the proposed rules will be available for review at each DNR district office, the Elkins office and the Charleston office. Individuals interested in reviewing the proposed rules should contact the Wildlife Resources Section or Law Enforcement Section staff at these offices.

PROPOSED WILDLIFE RESOURCES SECTION RULES

  Written comments may be submitted to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief, Wildlife Resources Section, Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 812, Charleston WV 25305 , until 4 p.m. on July 21, 2006.

•  Deer Hunting Rule

  This rule establishes provisions when pursuing and taking deer within the boundaries of this State. The rule became effective on April 9, 2003 . Revisions to this rule changes the Class N/NN, RB/RRB, RG/RRG licenses to stamps, establishes time frame when RM/RRM stamps can be purchased and prohibits feeding and baiting wildlife on four wildlife management areas and one state forest that are being managed for older aged deer.

•  Wildlife Disease Management

  This rule proposes the following disease management guidelines: 1) No baiting or feeding in the CWD containment area to reduce transmission of the disease; and 2) A ban on the exportation of high risk deer tissues (spinal column and brain tissue) from the CWD containment area. The WVDNR detected this disease at an early stage and to date infected deer have been found in a small area of Hampshire County . The DNR is taking an aggressive management approach in an attempt to eliminate or control this disease before it spreads through the deer herd.

•  Public Use of Campgrounds and Recreation Areas in West Virginia State Wildlife Management Areas

  This rule establishes procedures to provide for public health, safety and welfare; to protect state property; and to assure state recreational area guests of a safe, beneficial and enjoyable experience.

•  Special Boating Rule

  This rule restricts boating to electric motors only on the new 34-acre Parker Hollow Lake in Hardy County . The proposal is intended to address boating safety concerns and potential shoreline erosion problems associated with larger motor use on a lake of this small size.

PROPOSED LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTION RULE

  Written comments may be submitted to Lt. Col. David Murphy, Law Enforcement Section, Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 837, Charleston WV 25305 , until 10 a.m. on July 28, 2006.

•  Commercial Whitewater Outfitters

  This rule will more accurately reflect the starting point of whitewater rafting trips on the Shenandoah River and will allow whitewater outfitters to provide unguided flat water rentals in the one and one-half miles between the Millville Dam and Millville . The Whitewater Commission, at its regular quarterly meeting held in Oak Hill June 21, 2006 , requested that the Shenandoah River starting point be modified to more accurately reflect the point at which the raft trips begin at Millville .

  After the public review and comment period closes, appropriate changes will be made to the proposed rules and they will be re-filed by the DNR for action by the Legislative Rule Making Committee prior to the 2007 Session of the West Virginia Legislature.

**DNR**