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.


LRB100 09886 SLF 20057 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1983LRB100 09886 SLF 20057 b

1    AN ACT concerning wildlife.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by adding Section
52.36b as follows:
 
6    (520 ILCS 5/2.36b new)
7    Sec. 2.36b. Management plan; new animal hunting seasons.
8    (a) Prior to opening a hunting season for an animal that
9was listed on the endangered or threatened species list in the
10past 15 years, the Department shall develop a management plan
11that meets the requirements of this Section.
12    (b) A management plan shall include:
13        (1) an overall goal for the continued growth of the
14    animal's population and return of a stable population in
15    all prime habitat areas throughout the State for that
16    animal;
17        (2) an analysis demonstrating the impact of hunting in
18    different regions of the State and the impact on different
19    take limits on statewide animal populations;
20        (3) identification of biological indicators that would
21    indicate vulnerability in animal populations in particular
22    counties or regions of the State and a plan for immediately
23    suspending a hunting season in those areas based on those

 

 

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1    biological indicators;
2        (4) a summary of any scientific data considered and a
3    list of scientific and academic literature consulted;
4        (5) identification of the steps that will be taken to
5    enforce the management plan, to inform hunters and the
6    public, and the financial resources needed by the
7    Department to implement the management plan; and
8        (6) an emergency plan to cancel a hunting season if the
9    Department finds the proposed season conflicts with the
10    management plan, staffing or resource constraints that
11    fail to provide adequate enforcement of the management
12    plan, or new scientific findings or research indicate the
13    closing of the hunting season is appropriate.
14    (c) A management plan shall be consistent with the Illinois
15Wildlife Action Plan. The Department shall consult with the
16Illinois Natural History Survey and the Endangered Species
17Protection Board in the development of a management plan. Any
18management plan developed shall be available for public comment
19for not less than 30 calendar days.
20    (d) If the Department opens a hunting season for a new
21animal, it shall set a fee for hunting permits for that animal
22which fully fund the Department's hunting program, including
23monitoring and enforcement of the hunting program. In
24determining the appropriate fee, the Department shall consider
25the approximate market value of the animal's pelt, meat, or
26carcass and shall set the fee at or near those values if the

 

 

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1value is higher than the hunting program costs to the
2Department.
3    (e) It shall be unlawful for any person to take an animal
4in this State that was added to the list of hunting seasons on
5or after January 1, 2017, and prior to the development of a
6management plan by the Department.
 
7    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
82017.