County, Letters To The Editor, Opinion

Letter: DOW required to aid property owners

A bill has been passed that when private property owners sustaining damage from wildlife ask for help from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), the DOW is required to respond. Property owners need to know that they can file claims under this new law with less resistance than with the old game damage law.
Property owners in Rio Blanco County will most likely be extremely interested in knowing that Senate Bill 09-024 (Responsibilities of the Division of Wildlife) was signed into law June 1, 2009.
The Colorado Farm Bureau initiated the bill in January 2009. Sen. Al White carried the bill, but by the time the governor signed it into law, five senators and 13 representatives had attached their names to this bill and supported it.
Listed below are some issues from the bill that were passed into law.
n Every landowner is eligible to receive temporary game damage prevention materials.
n The $100 rule was changed to $500 so if you charge less than $500 per hunter, you are now eligible for permanent game damage prevention materials.
n A landowner shall not be denied game damage prevention materials on the grounds that they received a land voucher.
n The DOW must respond with two business days after a game damage complaint.
n The DOW must consult with the landowner within five business days after a request has been made for damage materials.
n The DOW must deliver the temporary game damage materials within 15 business days to the landowner.
n If the DOW does not provide the game damage prevention materials within 15 days after meeting w/the landowner, the DOW must supply and erect the materials for the landowner and the state shall be liable for game damages incurred after the 15 business day period.
n If the materials that the DOW supplies fails to prevent game damage, the state is liable for damages.
n The new law now “encourages” permits to kill be issued to landowners if the wildlife objective for your area exceeds the objective.
n The DOW now must report on an annual basis to the general assembly with the following information:
n Herd management objectives, whether they are being met, and the actual number of herd animals by game unit.
n If herd objectives are not being met, the DOW must report to the general assembly how they intend to achieve compliance with the objectives.
n The number of requests for game damage prevention materials; the timeliness of the division responding; how many and what types of materials being issued; the number of requests being denied.
n The number of permits to take wildlife requested; the number of permits issued; the amount of wildlife killed; how many permits were denied and why.
n The number of damage claims; how many settled claims; the amounts of the settlements; pending claims; denied claims and reasons for denial.
n The DOW must annually appropriate $1.4 million for game damage claims and prevention and annually appropriate $600,000 for the implementation and administration of this new bill.
With the increasing number of wildlife and the habitat improvements that have been made, there are a few areas where the wildlife populations have become over objective and cause damage to agricultural operations. The passing of SB 09-024 allows for property owners to ask for reimbursement for losses caused by wildlife and/or for game damage prevention materials.
I have listed the link where you can read the new law: http://www.leg.state.co.us/ Click on “Session Laws” in the left-hand column. Then click on “Enacted Senate Bills” under Session Laws-2009 and scroll down to “024.”
Margaret Culverwell
Cattle rancher/property owner
Craig

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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