Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)



Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)Quarterly Report for the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (11/10/20)Minnesota DNR Tribal Relations TeamThe membership for Minnesota DNR’s internal Tribal Relations Team has been established, and the group is getting ready to launch its work. The team’s membership includes 26 MNDNR staff, and each of our divisions and regions are represented, as is the Commissioner’s Office. This team will meet regularly to discuss, identify and address any projects, issues and concerns relating to the relationship between MNDNR and the tribes. This team also will be responsible for developing tribal communication plans and internal procedures. Chronic Wasting DiseaseThe MNDNR remains committed to an aggressive response to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Between 2002 and summer 2020, a total of about 88 wild deer have tested positive in Minnesota, out of more than 90,000 sampled. The positive deer include one positive in Crow Wing County in 2017, one positive in Dakota County in 2020, with the remaining positives located in SE Minnesota. DNR response includes: surveillance and testing; deer feeding bans where the disease is in wild deer; carcass movement restrictions where disease is in wild deer; liberal hunting regulations in CWD areas; and targeted culling of deer in infection hot-spots. This year’s testing began in September with the bow season, and ramps up considerably during the firearms season. More than 250 staff are engaged in sample collection. Carcass collection dumpsters have been set out in 29 locations in CWD areas. Post deer season targeted culling is expected again in SE Minnesota. DNR has a history of working with tribal biologists on CWD and deer issues; as we continue to manage the disease, we know we need consult and collaborate as questions arise and decisions are made—especially where management decisions may involve tribal sovereignty. Much more information about CWD is on the DNR’s website at Plan UpdateThe US Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced its decision to remove the wolf from the federal endangered and threatened species list throughout the coterminous United States. I shared MNDNR’s statement on this decision with tribal chairs and natural resource directors, and I know some tribes indicated they would like to have follow-up discussion after some internal discussion. We look forward to those conversations. In the meantime, we have extended the deadline for public input on wolf management until November 20 to allow people time to consider the delisting in their comments. We also remain committed to using the best available science, coordination with our federal and tribal partners, robust public engagement, and careful consideration of all perspectives to inform our management decisions, including any future decisions regarding the potential for a wolf season in Minnesota following completion of our plan update.Miigwech/PidamayayeFor any additional information please contact the MNDNR Tribal Liaison:Nazhike-awaasang, Bradley E. HarringtonEmail: bradley.harrington@state.mn.usCell: 320-515-0688 ................
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