CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Division of Natural Resources said there was considerable interest in the first ever hybrid Natural Resources Commission meeting. The agency held the first commission meeting under the new format July 24th.
The meeting was broadcast virtually on the DNR’s website and social media pages. Each Commissioner was live from their respective district offices as well as the DNR headquarters in Charleston. Members of the public wishing to speak had to be at one of the locations.
The DNR on Thursday released figures which indicated the archive of the meeting on YouTube had been viewed more than 2,000 times. Officials believed the numbers showed strong interest from the public in what was going on the area of hunting, fishing, and wildlife management.
“We are very pleased with the turnout for our first hybrid NRC meeting and encouraged by the increased public participation it generated,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “We also appreciate the feedback we’ve received about the start time and are glad to make this adjustment so more people can join the conversation about West Virginia’s hunting and trapping seasons and creel and bag limits.”
Going forward the agency announced one change in the plans and will move future NRC meetings to 6 p.m. in an effort to make it easier for members of the public to participate.
The next NRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6. Members of the public who want to address the commission must attend one of the following in-person locations:
District 1 – 1110 Railroad St, Farmington, WV 26571
District 2 – 1 Depot Street, Romney, WV 26571
District 3 – 738 Ward Road, Elkins, WV 26241
District 4 – 2006 Robert C Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801
District 5 – 112 California Avenue, Charleston, WV 25305
District 6 – 76 Conservation Way, Parkersburg, WV 26104
The Natural Resources Commission is the governing body which oversees the DNR. They are charged with setting hunting season dates, bag and creel limits, and any changes in hunting and fishing regulations which do not require action of the Legislature. There are seven members of the Commission, representing each of the DNR’s districts and one at large member. The Commissioners are recommended to the Governor for appointment by the DNR Director. Currently five of the seven positions are in need of appointment or reappointment action by Governor Patrick Morrisey. Those in the positions serve four-year terms until they are reappointed or the Governor replaces them.