DNR Wildlife Resources Section Files Legislative Rules for Review

            The Wildlife Resources Section of 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 Division’s Wildlife Resources Section. The proposed rules will be open for review and written comment until 10 a.m. on July 11, 2008.  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 staff at these offices.

            Written comments may be submitted to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief, Wildlife Resources Section, Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 842, Charleston, WV  25305.

Lifetime Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Licenses

            Investment income from lifetime license fees compensates for the loss of annual license revenue. To achieve revenue neutrality, lifetime license fees are required by law W. Va. 20-2B-7 to be 23 times the fees for annual licenses conveying equivalent privileges. Annual license fees are proposed for an inflationary adjustment by rule 58CSR71, thus requiring an accompanying increase in lifetime license fees.

Hunting, Trapping and Fishing License and Stamp Fees

            In 2005, the State Legislature approved W.Va. 20-2-42 of the West Virginia Code to index hunting, fishing and trapping license fees to the rate of inflation with the intent of preventing larger, infrequent fee increases that have proven to be unpopular and fiscally inefficient. The proposed rule would implement that provision of the code by increasing certain hunting, fishing and trapping fees by approximately 8.3 percent, the rate of increase in the Consumer Price index since January 1, 2006.  The proposed fees would not take effect until January 2010.