Georgia DNR Seeks Public Comment on Wildlife Action 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 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 to receive State Wildlife Grants, the main federal funding source for states to conserve nongame – animals not legally fished for or hunted, from gopher tortoises to golden-winged warblers.

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.

Since last year, 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 now open for comment until July 15.

Jon Ambrose, chief of the division’s Nongame Conservation Section, said the public has a vital stake in the State Wildlife Action Plan, in no small part because more than 90 percent of the land in Georgia is privately owned.

You can 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.