The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2023-R-F-0013) on proposed revisions to the Delaware Wildlife regulations (7 DE Admin. Code 3900). Public comment period is now closed.

The division proposes to make changes to 19 subsections of the regulation that pertain to the management and conservation of wildlife including activities involving hunting, trapping, fishing, nuisance wildlife control work and activities authorized on Division-owned lands.

The existing regulation can be found in the Delaware Administrative Code at 7 DE Admin. Code 3900.

The proposed amendments may be inspected online starting Nov. 1, 2023, in the Delaware Register of Regulations or in-person, by appointment only, by contacting Joe Rogerson, by phone at 302-735-3600 or by email at Joseph.Rogerson@delaware.gov.

The Department will accept public comment through the close of business on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the address on this page.

Transcript

Public Hearing Transcript

DNREC Exhibits

Exhibit 1: A copy of approved Start Action Notice #2023-08 pertaining to the proposed amendments.

Exhibit 2: A copy of the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis/Regulatory Impact Statement corresponding to the proposed action and as published in the November 1, 2023 Delaware Register of Regulations.

Exhibit 3: A copy of Register Notice SAN #2023-08 and the proposed amendment to 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 Wildlife as published in the November 1, 2023 Delaware Register of Regulations.

Exhibit 4: Notice of the public hearing as it appeared on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar. (Oct. 17, 2023)

Exhibit 5: Notice of the hearing as published in the Delaware State News, in the News Journal (Pending) and on the DNREC website. (Nov. 1, 2023)

Exhibit 6: Notice of intent to amend regulations that pertain to 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 Wildlife as it appeared on the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Facebook page. (Nov. 1, 2023)

Exhibit 7: Meeting minutes from the Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish on October 31, 2023, which summarize a presentation provided by DNREC to the Council on which regulations DNREC was proposing to amend. (Pending – Minutes to be approved by the Council at their Nov. 28, 2023 meeting)

Exhibit 8: DNREC presentation to the Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish. (Oct. 31, 2023)

Exhibit 9: Additional noticing regarding the intent to amend regulations that pertain to 7 DE Admin. Code 3900 Wildlife that was sent by email on Nov. 3 and on Nov. 7, 2023 to identified interested parties (email addresses redacted), and those that subscribe to the Division’s wildlife listserv, respectively.

Exhibit 10: Corrections made after Nov. 1, 2023 publication in the State Register of Regulations

Exhibit 11: Reminder of the public hearing as it appeared on the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Facebook page on Dec. 6, 2023.

Public Comments

Jason Hand (Oct. 31, 2023)

Amy King (Nov. 2, 2023)

Linda Parkowski (Nov. 2, 2023)

Robert Loper (Nov. 7, 2023)

Elizabeth van Gestel (Nov. 19, 2023)

Steven M Kendus (Dec. 4, 2023)

Courtney Emerson (Dec. 13, 2023)

John Koval (Dec. 14, 2023)

Nathan Hudson (Jan. 6, 2024)

Dan Forster, Vice President and Chief Conservation Officer, Archery Trade Association (Jan. 8, 2024)

Sam Palermo (Jan. 10, 2024)

Jeff Samis (Jan. 10, 2024)

Kyle Magdziuk, Tall Timbers (Jan. 12, 2024)
– Attachment

Jeff Newcomer (Jan. 12, 2024)

Jeff Hague (Jan. 12, 2024)
– Attachment

John Koval III (Jan. 13, 2024)
– Attachment