Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Annual Report, 2006
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hundreds submitted to the Game an Parks Commission 3 Nature Photo Gallery on the Commission Web site www flritrlknrN~hrackanrn &F?-lt&r~w-4-. Toadstool Park bv Kevin McGinness of Chadro .:.,?,,2,,&:.p-f.&,.---.-A-- " ":"""" . ?-E>m- 8. 1 .--md:. ;far Lunch by Linda Konz of SchUyl6 Majestic Bald Eagle by Donn Atchison of York . -- _."-b Mmh % &dblaik~d~me. , and Pa&sL Commission , 1 iY, 2240~:33rd St.;/ P.O. 8&.30370 I Lincoln, NE 885i3-03~2-471-0641irww.dutd@or~ebraska.orp 7- , "b- Y . \. 6,- - ' 3 ,. t I Dear Governor Heineman: Nebraskans and the natural world they so enjoy benefited from another stellar year by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 2006. The hard work and dedication of agency employees provided the state with enormous outdoor recreation opportunities. This report's pages reveal how the agency worked to maintain stewardship of the state's outdoor resources in the best interest of Nebraskans. From a financial standpoint, the Commission had $63,088,772 in revenue for calendar year 2006, compared to $60,178,384 in expenditures. Money was well spent by all divisions in the name of education, research, conservation, and recreation. The Wildlife Education Program and Project WILD introduced 3,215 Nebraskans to wildlife conservation and management concepts in 75 programs, while the Missouri River Expo at Ponca State Park was a huge success, seeing 18,000 visitors involved in 80 hands-on demonstrations, activities and presentations. Hunter Education trained 8,361 students in 2006, and, in the ongoing effort to look to the future, mentored youth hunting programs continued to grow. Hunters had a big year, with a record deer harvest of 65,091 during the 2006 seasons. Anglers weren't forgotten. The Commission launched the Fishing Host program, which allows an experienced angler to volunteer to conduct "how-to" clinics across the state. It was another big year in research. The Commission helped take approximately 2500 bird samples that were tested for the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza. No evidence of that strain was found in the state. Testing for chronic wasting disease included 5,841 samples and results showed the lowest number of positive tests in the last three years. Conservation efforts helped implement the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project as initiatives were started in six priority landscapes and biologists were hired to work with private landowners and partner organizations to begin conservation actions. Also, a Missouri River backwater habitat area was constructed at Schilling Wildlife Management Area to replace a damaged habitat that had a negative impact on fish, including the endangered pallid sturgeon. The Commission worked to improve recreational opportunities with many projects. The Nebraska Birding Trail Project added 10 privately owned sites to its program in 2006, approximately 15.6 million fish of 18 species were stocked in Nebraska waters, and additional miles were completed on the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail. Many more activities and efforts led to an improved quality of life for Nebraskans and ensured that their natural world is in good hands. Sincerely, Rex Amack Director ,- ". -% - - ebraska Game and Parks Commission L e%nual Report 2006 CHAIRMAN James Stuart, Jr., Lincoln VICE CHAIRMAN Bill Zutavern, Dunning 2nd VICE CHAIRMAN Dr. Mark Pinkerton, Wilber James Ziebarth, Wilcox 'Oable of Contents Jerrod Burke, Curtis Gary Parker, Columbus George E. Hall, Bridgeport Letter to Governor Heineman .................3 Bill G~wcockOmaha . - Commissioners and Administrators ...........4 For Further Information.. This report presents the highlights of Mission and Commission Offices 5 activities and events of the Nebraska .............. Game and Parks Commission during the calendar year 2006. Complete division reports with further information and Financial Report .............................6 detail are available by contacting thes administrators (402 area code): Rex Amack, Director, 471-5539 1$?2/ Recreation ................................. .8 Kirk Nelson, Assistant Director, Fish and Wildlife, 471-5539 Roger Kuhn, Assistant Director, Conservation .............................. 12 Parks, 471-5512 Sam Sidner, Assistant Director, Marketing, 471-5539 Education ................................. 15 Budget add Fiscal-Patrick Cole, 471-5523 Engineering-Jim Sheffield, 471-5557 Research ..................................18 Fisheries--Don Gabelhouse, 471-5515 Information and Education- Partnerships ...............................20 Doug Bauch, 471-4591 Law Enforcement-Ted Blurne, 471-401G Operations and Construction- By The Numbers ........................... 22 Earl Johnson, 471-5525 Parks-Roger Kuhn, 471-5512 Personnel-Jamey Crandall, 471-5453 Did You Know .............................22 Realty and Environmental Services-- Bruce Sackett, 471-5536 Wildlife-Jim Douglas, 471-5411 fgwvrr COVER PHOTOS:(clockwise from top left) A full-curl bighorn ram roams the buttes at Fort Robinson 3-. 4'' State Park; Tea Parks of Papillion smiles as she prepares to release the seven-pound channel catfish she caught; a drake wood duck explodes off an Adams County pond; campers grill lunch during their stay at Indian Cave State Park; the swift fox is a mammal on Nebraska's Endangered Species List. ILLUSTRATION: (right) plains leopard frog. 4 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission \*-4 *&king'. The Gobd Life Better! I .C' w w debmska&me and @arks HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRICT V 2200 No. 33rd St. / P. 0.Box 30370 I Lincoln, NE 68503-0370 1 402-471-0641 / Fax 402471-5528 Stewardship of the state's fish, wildlife, parks and OMAHA METRO outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term 1212 Bob Gibson Blvd. Omaha, NE 68108-2020 interests of the people and those resources. 402-595-2144 / Fax 402-595-2569 DISTRICT I To accomplish that purpose, the Commission strives 299 Husker Road / P. 0. Box 725 to plan and implement its policies and programs Alliance, NE 69301-0725 308-763-2940 / Fax 308-763-2943 efficiently and objectively; maintain a rich and diverse environment in Nebraska's lands and waters; DISTRICT I1 provide outdoor recreation opportunities; 524 Panzer St. / P. 0. Box 508 manage wildlife resources for the maximum benefit Bassett, NE 68714-0934 of the people, and strive to help Nebraskans 402-684-2921 / Fax 402-684-2816 appreciate their roles in the natural world. DISTRICT 111 2201 No. 13th St. Norfolk, NE 68701-2267 402-370-3374 / Fax 402-370-3256 DISTRICT IV 301 E. State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101-0430 308-535-8025 / Fax 308-535-8028 DISTRICT VI 1617 First Ave. Kearney, NE 68847-6057 308-865-5310 / Fax 308-865-5309 Visit us online at Under federal andlor state law, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, national origin, disability or political affiliation. Jf you think you have been discrimi- nated against in any program, actii or facility or want more information, contadthe Affirmative Action Officer, Nebraska Game and Palks Commission, Lincdn, NE, 402-471-0641; the Eclual Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE, 402-471-2024. TIT ITDD 402-471-4693. USFWS, Division of Bird Habitat and Conservation, Civil Rghts Coordinator, 4401 North Fairfax Drive ABSP 4020, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Printed on recycledpaper with soy ink. Annual Report 2006 5 he Nebraska Game and Parks Department of Revenue, deposited and fishing permit sales, Federal Commission is predominately with the State Treasurer and appro- Aid reimbursements and interest self-funded, receiving only around priated by the Legislature. General earnings. It is the largest source of 16 percent of its total 2006 funding Fund money is appropriated to the funding for the agency. from the State General Fund. Eleven Commission for those operating Park Cash Fund - It is the additional cash/federal funds have activities that are either nonself- second largest source of funding been established for agency use. supporting (primarily administration to the agency. It is used to improve, The 11 cash/federal funds are of the state park system and non-game maintain and operate areas within Game Cash Fund, Park Cash Fund, and endangered species activities); the state park system. Major federal funds, Habitat Fund, administrative activities that are revenue sources include camping Nebraska Outdoor Recreational general in nature, applicable to the and lodging fees, park entry permit Development Act (NORDA) Fund, entire agency and difficult to prorate sales, restaurant and food services Recreational Trails Federal Fund, among the various other funding and other park facility use fees. Aquatic Habitat Fund, Trail Develop- sources; and activities that extend Federal Grants - These are the ment Assistance Fund, Nongame and beyond the statutory use of the third largest "cash" funding sources Endangered Species Conservation various cash funds. for the agency. They include Fund, Cowboy Trail Fund and Game Cash Fund - Most of the reimbursable and direct grants. Nebraska Snowmobile Trail Fund. cash funds receive their primary Habitat Funds - There are two While most of the fund names are revenues from use fees. This fund types of these funds, terrestrial self-descriptive, a few of the more serves as the primary funding source and aquatic. They are supported critical warrant further explanation. for fish and wildlife activities. The primarily from the sale of the General Fund - It is supported fund derives its revenue from a stamps tied to hunting and fishing by money collected by the State variety of sources, including