The public has an opportunity to comment on a revised draft plan that would guide the Department of Natural Resources’ chronic wasting disease (CWD) management efforts for the next 15 years.

“We have data about the devastating effects of CWD on deer herds in Colorado and Wyoming,” said Davin Lopez, CWD project leader. “We’ll be using these data along with our experience and knowledge gained over the past eight years in Wisconsin to guide our future actions as we fight to protect our deer herd and our deer hunting tradition.”

The 15-year CWD Response Plan reflects input from a diverse number of sources, including a citizen stakeholder advisory group, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, and an independent panel of experts in animal disease and other related fields from around the country that reviewed and suggested modifications to the plan.

“Nonetheless, no matter how strong the plan is, it will only be successful if it has the support and associated active participation of our partners and the public,” Lopez said. “Successfully controlling and managing CWD in Wisconsin will require a sustained effort over many years, likely far beyond this 15-year plan. It is very challenging for everyone involved, but the alternative of letting the disease spread uncontrolled is much and unacceptably worse.”

The CWD Response Plan is available on the DNR website.

Comments can be submitted using a form available on the website. Those without internet access can call DNR at (608) 264-6046 to request a hard copy of the plan. The deadline for submitting comments is August 8, 2010.

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