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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

Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to various national publications.

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