Public Comment Needed to Help Shape Revised Wildlife Plan

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a draft version of the revised State Wildlife Action Plan.

Often called SWAP, this plan outlines the steps that the DNR and partner organizations follow to conserve native wildlife and habitats before they become rarer and more costly to protect.

The SWAP is required by Congress for DNR and other state wildlife agencies to receive State Wildlife Grants.

Those are the main federal funding source for states to conserve nongame – animals not legally fished for or hunted.

A comprehensive review of wildlife plans is required at least every 10 years, to include new information and changing conditions.

Georgia developed its SWAP in 2005.

DNR officials said that the state’s original plan promoted work such as prescribed burning, controlling invasive species and restoring native vegetation, enhancing habitats on public and private conservation lands.

Also, officials said that survey and monitoring have helped manage populations of amphibians, shorebirds, sea turtles and rare plants, while recovery efforts for federally-listed species, technical assistance for private landowners and environmental education have all benefited from resources and direction provided through the SWAP.

For the last two years, DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division has worked with agencies, organizations, schools, land managers and other stakeholders around the state and region to review and revise the plan.

The draft is open for comment until July 15.

Go to www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/wildlife-action-plan to see the plan and make comments. An overview plus reports by teams focused on specific areas such as birds, fishes and plants are available.

After July 15, the plan will be revised further as needed, and submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for review and approval.