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Last updated on Wednesday, November 12, 2014
(UNDATED) - The public can comment on a proposal that would open a trapping season for river otters in Indiana at a Dec. 11 public hearing in the Hendricks County town of Plainfield.
The hearing, conducted by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission, is at 5:30 p.m. at Plainfield Public Library, 1120 Stafford Road.
The Natural Resources Commission will conduct the public hearing on proposed rule changes that include the following:
* Opening a trapping season for river otters that includes strict limits on the number of otters that could be taken; when, where, and how otters can be trapped; and mandatory registration of harvested otters. A temporary rule would be implemented annually by the director that would specify the counties that would be open to trapping and the statewide quota.
* Allowing the sale of river otters, including their hides and parts, as well as squirrel hides.
* Making changes to fur buyer license requirements, including changing the reporting date and specifying requirements for the proper disposal of carcasses.
You can view the proposed new rule language at www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm. Public comments also can be submitted to the NRC through that webpage. Look for the rule package titled, "FW: River Otters."
A third way to submit comments is by mailing them to:
Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Ave., Room N501
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The deadline for submitting comments is Thursday, Dec. 11.
All comments sent to the NRC regarding these rule changes will be provided to Commission members and Department of Natural Resources staff, and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the Internet and in a paper docket as part of the final report.
The final report is expected to be presented to the NRC to request final adoption of the rule changes at the NRC meeting in January 2015. After final adoption, the rule changes must be approved by the Attorney General's Office and Governor's Office before they take effect.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
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