Wednesday, July 24, 2002
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Wednesday, July 24, 2002 |
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Public hearing on restricting deer importation next week The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division will hold a public hearing to receive input on a proposal to adopt DNR rules and regulations governing the importation of live cervids (members of the deer family). The purpose of the proposed regulation is to manage Georgia's wildlife according to sound principles of wildlife management and to meet public objectives for use of these renewable natural resources. The hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Clayton County School's Performing Arts Center located at 2530 Mount Zion Parkway in Jonesboro. Those interested are encouraged to bring this hearing to the attention of acquaintances that also may be interested in participating in the hearing process. Changes to the existing rules reflect the need to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the public and animal populations, either wild or captive, found in Georgia by restricting the importation of deer and elk due to increasing potential for importation of Chronic Wasting Disease into Georgia. CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in deer and elk. It has been discovered in nine states and two Canadian provinces and is believed to spread through the importation of infected cervids. The disease is caused by a misshapen protein, called a prion, that changes healthy proteins into abnormal proteins, which in turn affects additional healthy proteins. Infected deer become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose control of bodily functions and eventually die. Any participant at the hearing may present data, make a statement or comment, or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants are required to register on arrival and to notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement. Those unable to attend the hearing may submit written statements, prior to close of business Aug. 9. Such statements should be mailed to Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Game Management Section, 2070 U.S. Highway 278, S.E., Social Circle, Georgia 30025. This meeting site is accessible to people with physical disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Dan Forster at the above address by July 26. The Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed rules and any comments received during the public hearing process Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. at the DNR Board Room, Suite 1252, 205 Butler Street in Atlanta. For more information on the scheduled public hearing, contact the WRD Game Management Office at 770-918-6416.
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