Wolf comment extended
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has extended until Wednesday a public comment period on proposed rules for payment of damages from losses caused by wolves.
The DNR extended its period for accepting written comments in response to requests from people who wanted more time past the original Feb. 18 deadline on the proposed rule regarding livestock, hunting dogs and pets killed by endangered and threatened wildlife species and gray wolves.
Public hearings were conducted Feb. 15-17 in Spooner, Rhinelander, Black River Falls, Green Bay and Madison.
Since 1985, the DNR has been paying for damages gray wolves cause to livestock, hunting dogs and pets without administrative rules. In recent years, claims for wolf damages have increased, creating the need for rules, Schroeder said.
The proposed rules set caps for maximum payments per type of livestock animal, establish a reimbursement cap of $15,000 per claimant per year, and set a deductible of $250 per claim. The payment caps and conditions are similar to those for the wildlife damage claims program.
Proposed rules may be reviewed and comments submitted at: http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted through Wednesday by mail to Tim Cooke, Bureau of Endangered Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707.