DEM TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 27 ON NEW REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL SPECIALISTS

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RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	September 20, 2006
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 27 ON NEW REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL SPECIALISTS
Minor Changes to Rehabilitator and Import Regulations Will Also be Heard

PROVIDENCE- The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 27 on proposed new regulations pertaining to nuisance wildlife control specialists. Such specialists, licensed by DEM, conduct wildlife control services for the general public. These services include the capture, handling, transport, euthanasia, and exclusion of select nuisance wildlife species.

The proposed regulations, drafted with the help of stakeholders, reflect current knowledge and technology related to wildlife handling and diseases. They are intended to insure that people handling wild animals can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable in the use of best management practices, well versed on pertinent regulations, and have the requisite skills and expertise to protect themselves, the public, domestic animals, and wildlife.

The proposed regulations establish new procedures for submitting permit applications, minimum criteria for issuance of permits, and examination and re-certification requirements. Under current permitting procedures, applicants are not tested on their knowledge; under the proposed regulations, successful passage of a test, based on a manual issued by DEM, will be required. Current nuisance wildlife control specialists would hold provisional permits for several months after the proposed regulations take effect, to allow time for reviewing the manual and taking the test. Companies providing nuisance wildlife control services have been notified of the proposed regulations. A workshop in August to discuss them drew little response.

The hearing will take place on Wednesday, September 27, at 7 p.m. at the Warwick Police Department's Community Room on Luther Avenue in Apponaug, followed by a public hearing addressing minor changes to the existing wildlife rehabilitation, and importation and possession of native wildlife regulations.

Copies of all proposals are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Fish and Wildlife" under "Offices and Divisions", then clicking on "Wildlife Management and Hunter Education". They are also available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife headquarters at the Stedman Government Center at 4808 Tower Hill Road in Wakefield.

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