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FUTURE OF TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION
UNCERTAIN
For several weeks, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation has been monitoring
several pieces of legislation, which, if approved, could result
significantly affect the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission and/or
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
For this reason, the Federation is calling on all sportsmen and women
across Tennessee to join them on March 31st, for their annual Camouflage
and Casting Coalition Sportsman’s Day on the Hill. Those wishing to
attend should RSVP to Ms. Callie Johnson at cjohnson@tnwf.org or call
615-353-1133.
This year’s day on the hill will focus upon supporting the passage of
the TWRC and TWRA sunset bills in the House and Senate as well as
thanking House and Senate members for their support of the Right to Hunt
and Fish Constitutional Amendment.
In Tennessee, every state governmental entity has a statutory
termination date generally referred to as a “sunset provision.” Each of
these entities must periodically undergo a process of review and have
its termination date extended by the legislature.
Both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly recently took action to
stop legislation that would provide the standard four year extension to
the TWRC and TWRA. Without passage of this legislation in both the House
and Senate, the TWRC will go into a one-year period of wind down to
termination, beginning July 1, 2010.
“It is certainly the prerogative of General Assembly to review, discuss
and if necessary address the governance, activities, and performance of
all state agencies – and TWRA is no exception,” Butler said. “However,
we have consistently heard that the issue at hand is a lack of
communication between the TWRC and legislature. If this is truly the
issue, then we feel the House and Senate can move forward and pass the
sunset bills and we can work with the General Assembly and TWRC to
support more communication.”
“We felt it is important to make all those affected by the operation of
the TWRA and the TWRC aware of what could possibly happen,” said Ed
Carter, TWRA Executive Director. “We did not want our constituents or
anyone else to find out about this at the 11th hour.
“Knowing where we stand with both the House and the Senate at this
moment, our agency felt an obligation not only to the sportsmen of
Tennessee, but all citizens who enjoy boating and wildlife watching, to
let them know of the situation and the potential consequences regarding
the future of the TWRA and its governing body, the TWRC.”
The Tennessee Wildlife Federation was part of the effort in forming of
the original Game and Fish Commission in 1949, as well as the current
governing structure of the TWRC in the 1970’s. When the Commission was
formed in 1949, Tennessee, along with many other state wildlife agencies
across the country, adopted what has become known as the “Model Game and
Fish Act” and followed the North American Principles for Wildlife
Conservation. The model was conceived to allow the management of fish
and wildlife by trained professionals, governed primarily by a board of
interested citizens.
This model over time has served Tennessee well and has allowed wildlife
agencies across the country to make decisions regarding wildlife
resources based on science and biology. The restoration of deer, turkey,
waterfowl, otter and the bald eagle in Tennessee are prime examples of
the many success stories.
The Tennessee General Assembly has a vital role to play in supporting
the preservation of fish and wildlife; however, abolishing the wildlife
agency or reorganizing the TWRC will help no one, and it certainly won’t
help Tennessee’s fish and wildlife.”
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"The TWRA
Today"
A video, “The TWRA Today” is now available online at the
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Web site.
The
video describes the TWRA, its diversity of programs, and its effects on
life in the Volunteer State. The video highlights TWRA’s history,
wildlife, fishing, boating, and the wide-range of opportunities
available to experience and enjoy as well as the positive economic
impact that TWRA brings to the state.
“This review of the rich history of the agency and commission and all
they have accomplished over the past 60 years makes me proud to have the
privilege to serve our state in this way,” said Mike Chase, chairman of
the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission, after viewing a
presentation of the video.
“It’s obvious to me that members of this commission who serve, those
who have served before us and agency employees past and present, have
been motivated to do great work because they truly believe in the future
of wildlife and fish in Tennessee and want to make a positive impact.”
To
view the video, go to the TWRA Web site at
www.tnwildlife.org |
