SB1983 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 09886 SLF 20057 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB1983

Introduced 2/10/2017, by Sen. Don Harmon

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

520 ILCS 5/2.36b new

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that prior to the opening of a new hunting season for an animal that was listed on the endangered or threatened species list in the past 15 years, the Department of Natural Resources shall develop a management plan including: (1) an overall goal for the continued growth of the animal's population and return of a stable population in all prime habitat areas throughout the State for that animal; (2) an analysis demonstrating the impact of hunting in different regions of the State and the impact on different take limits on statewide animal populations; (3) identification of biological indicators that would indicate vulnerability in animal populations in particular counties or regions of the State and a plan for immediately suspending a hunting season in those areas based on those biological indicators; (4) a summary of any scientific data considered and a list of scientific and academic literature consulted; (5) identification of the steps that will be taken to enforce the management plan, to inform hunters and the public, and the financial resources needed by the Department; and (6) an emergency plan to cancel a hunting season if the Department finds that the proposed season conflicts with the management plan, staffing or resource constraints that fail to provide adequate enforcement of the management plan, or new scientific findings or research indicate the closing of the hunting season is appropriate. Provides that if the Department opens a hunting season for a new animal, it shall set a fee for hunting permits for the animal. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to take an animal in this State that was added to the list of hunting seasons on or after January 1, 2017, and prior to the development of a management plan by the Department. Effective July 1, 2017.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning wildlife.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by adding Section 2.36b as follows:

(520 ILCS 5/2.36b new)

Sec. 2.36b. Management plan; new animal hunting seasons.

(a) Prior to opening a hunting season for an animal that was listed on the endangered or threatened species list in the past 15 years, the Department shall develop a management plan that meets the requirements of this Section.

(b) A management plan shall include:

(1) an overall goal for the continued growth of the animal's population and return of a stable population in all prime habitat areas throughout the State for that animal;

(2) an analysis demonstrating the impact of hunting in different regions of the State and the impact on different take limits on statewide animal populations;

(3) identification of biological indicators that would indicate vulnerability in animal populations in particular counties or regions of the State and a plan for immediately suspending a hunting season in those areas based on those biological indicators;

(4) a summary of any scientific data considered and a list of scientific and academic literature consulted;

(5) identification of the steps that will be taken to enforce the management plan, to inform hunters and the public, and the financial resources needed by the Department to implement the management plan; and

(6) an emergency plan to cancel a hunting season if the Department finds the proposed season conflicts with the management plan, staffing or resource constraints that fail to provide adequate enforcement of the management plan, or new scientific findings or research indicate the closing of the hunting season is appropriate.

(c) A management plan shall be consistent with the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan. The Department shall consult with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Endangered Species Protection Board in the development of a management plan. Any management plan developed shall be available for public comment for not less than 30 calendar days.

(d) If the Department opens a hunting season for a new animal, it shall set a fee for hunting permits for that animal which fully fund the Department's hunting program, including monitoring and enforcement of the hunting program. In determining the appropriate fee, the Department shall consider the approximate market value of the animal's pelt, meat, or carcass and shall set the fee at or near those values if the value is higher than the hunting program costs to the Department.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person to take an animal in this State that was added to the list of hunting seasons on or after January 1, 2017, and prior to the development of a management plan by the Department.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2017.