 State Capitol (Georgia Department of Economic Development)
STATE BUDGET
As part of our e-news discussion of issues and answers (we opened with P-card changes), let’s take a look at the state budget.
This involves a topic that is top-of-mind in any agency or business: pay rate. There were questions about salaries at our statewide meeting in January. With news from the legislative session about a merit pay raise in Gov. Nathan Deal’s budget, we have continued to receive questions over the last few months.
First, it is critical to know that DNR and all state agencies are funded through the state’s annual budget process. This year, we are thankful for the leadership of the General Assembly in providing for a pay increase for state employees to help us and other agencies better recognize the great work we do every day and to improve retention.
The budget, which takes effect July 1, includes a merit-based 2 percent increase for employees. Although that may seem simple, DNR and other agencies are working through the nuts and bolts of how the change will be specifically applied. The anticipation is that the Commissioner’s Office will offer guidance to divisions in the coming months on how increases will be implemented based on funds available.
We will let you know as soon as possible when more information is available.
HOUSE BILL 208
I noted in a previous division-wide email that HB 208, the “license bill,” had passed the Legislature and is on Gov. Deal’s desk.
While we don’t know yet what the revenue allocations will be, our intent is to use them in the key areas identified by our constituents. Those include access (such as boat ramps and WMA roads), wildlife management, fish hatchery production, habitat development and technical assistance for private landowners and hunt clubs.
For now, as explained in the earlier email, when talking with customers, continue providing current information about license types and costs. But let them know that changes coming July 1 will simplify the licenses available and make it easier to determine which ones they need.
We’ll soon send more specific guidelines about the changes and pricing so all of us can learn and better inform customers about the new structure and pricing.
Thanks for your effort to help make this bill a success, and thanks for all you do to make WRD great!
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 Marine Investigator of the Year ceremony (Mike England/DNR LED)
For his help in an insurance fraud case, WRD’s Johnny Ray earned a share in the 2016 Investigator of the Year award from the International Association of Marine Investigators. Ray, assistant supervisor of the License and Boat Registration Unit, took part in a state Insurance Commissioner’s Office investigation that resulted in a former Athens insurance agent being charged with five counts of insurance fraud and three of forgery.
Christopher L. Jackson filed bogus watercraft insurance claims and submitted forged documents for financial gain, according to the Department of Insurance Fraud. With help from Ray and the U.S. Coast Guard, investigators determined that Jackson never possessed the boat cited in towing claims for alleged engine failures off Georgia’s coast, and that the boat and owner were actually in Kentucky.
The International Association of Marine Investigators presented the award in Savannah March 15. The four recipients (pictured, from left) were GEICO investigator Lee Stewart, Ray, Allstate claims adjuster Rachelle Moore and Mallory Johnson of the state Insurance Department, who contacted WRD. Association President Kerry McCook is also pictured (standing/center).
Ray was nominated, as well, for We Are DNR recognition for his “exemplary internal and external customer service every day.”
The nominator mentioned the award, adding, “What is so telling is that because Johnny helps people so often in instances such as this, this particular investigation did not stand out to him when he read about the award. He provides this type of assistance many times during the year,” and in an ultra-busy unit where Ray manages work and staff “and is fully involved and engaged.”
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 The Georgia Coyote Challenge reported 89 coyotes harvested by 48 participants from 32 counties in March. Walker led all counties with eight coyotes checked in. Some hunters and trappers brought in as many as five, the monthly maximum.
William Danny Hooker Jr., 32, a nuisance wildlife trapper in Appling, won the lifetime license for March. Hooker said he has been telling everyone about WRD’s good work to help Georgia wildlife through the Coyote Challenge.
Aimed at reducing the non-native predator's impact on native wildlife, the challenge continues until August.
LEARN MORE
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 Gopher tortoise strategy signing at ABAC (USFWS)
A new Defense Department initiative including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DNR and others will help conserve gopher tortoises and preserve military training options in the Southeast.
Under the Department of Defense Conservation and Crediting Strategy, the military earns credits for land acquisition, habitat restoration and other gopher conservation efforts on protected areas – credits that can offset impacts from training if the tortoise is federally listed in an area where the impacts occur. (The species is a candidate for federal listing in the eastern part of its range, including Georgia.)
The strategy has already had an impact. DNR acquired Alapaha River Wildlife WMA, the top state-owned site in gopher numbers (nearly 2,000) and density, with support from the U.S. Army and other partners.
WRD Director Rusty Garrison said during the signing event at ABAC that the strategy will help DNR meet its gopher conservation goals. One is protecting 65 viable populations through acquisition or easements. Alapaha River WMA, home to rare species and popular with hunters and others, is a prime example.
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 Shoal bass on the Flint River (DNR)
The Georgia Bass Slam is coming soon to a waterway near you. This WRD initiative will recognize anglers who catch in Georgia at least five of the 10 black bass species native to the state, the undisputed Bass Capital of the World. Online range maps of each species, details on where and how catch to each, and even a feature tracking anglers’ pursuit of a Bass Slam are in the works. Stay tuned!
The last of three public meetings on proposed hunting regulations for 2017-18 and 2018-19 starts at 7 tonight at the Sports Complex and Civic Center in Pearson. Meetings were also held Tuesday and Wednesday night in Perry and Cumming. Details on the proposed regulations and a PowerPoint briefing are available here. Comments also can be submitted online, by phone (770-918-6404) or by mail.
Which county tag offices won in the wildlife license plates contest sponsored by The Environmental Resources Network? Cherokee posted the largest increase in tag sales and renewals October-December compared to 2016; Talbot, the largest percentage increase; and, Newton was the wild-card winner. Second and third in sales went, respectively, to Newton and Walker, and for renewals, Walker and McIntosh. TERN is the friends group of the Nongame Conservation Section.
An update to the Outdoors GA app includes, among other features, the ability for hunters -- like those below -- to check harvested game even when cell service isn’t available. This eliminates the need to keep a paper copy of a harvest record. Download the free app at the Apple or Google Play Store (search "Outdoors GA”).
 Game Management's Brian Vickery and daughter Maggie (DNR)
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Other WRD We Are DNR recipients for February and March include the following, plus some of the comments from those nominating them:
Charley Cunningham and Benjamin Jenkins, Hunter Development Program (Wilson Shoals Shooting Range) – Exemplary service in operating the range during an emergency situation Feb. 25. A customer dislocated a hip joint while packing to leave the range. One of the range safety officers operated the range safely and efficiently while the other helped the customer. With the site's phone out (probably due to storms that morning) and no cell service for either officer (due to the remote location), they found a customer with cell service, called Banks County Emergency Management Agency and comforted the victim while waiting for EMA to respond.
Janice Everson, License and Boat Registration Unit – “Janice handles the majority of WRD's lifetime and commercial license customers daily. Her professionalism, eagerness to assist the customer, attention to detail and knowledge of available licenses, plus their requirements, provide a service level consistent with that expected from premium customers while also meeting the Governor's Customer Service Initiative of faster, friendlier, easier service.” Everson annually processes or authorizes for purchase about 6,500 lifetime and 6,000 commercial licenses, fields about 1,200 license calls and helps with the unit’s some 1,700 walk-in customers.
V.R. Coggin, Hunter Development Program (West Point Shooting Range) – “V.R. recently handled what could have been a tricky customer service issue (a customer left their rifle at the range) in a very efficient and professional manner.” V.R. has been the range's chief safety officer, managing scheduling and other duties to keep the range open without issues for years. Through his leadership, West Point is a range that families and individuals feel comfortable using. “He freely offers help … and always has an eye out for (customer) safety and that safety rules are followed.”
We Are DNR awards allow all WRD employees to recognize associates for
exemplary work. Just click the button above and answer the brief
questions.
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WRD CHAMPIONS
Here are the February and March WRD champions, as chosen by section chiefs.
Fisheries Management:
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Maxie Gray, who discovered and corrected an issue with well plans for Flat Creek PFA, made needed and timely changes to region activity reports, limed and disked in the lime at Flat Creek before rains hit, and helped prepare and install fish attractors – among things.
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Travis Ingram, for his hard work during the stocking season and for presenting at the American Fisheries Society Conference and the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Morone Species Workshop.
Game Management:
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Joanna (Christy) Batchelor, who consistently puts customers first, both internal and external, and whose selfless commitment to others, her people skills and her caring personality create a positive and successful work environment by focusing on the success of the team.
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Matthew Keel, for his hard work, dedication and leadership in prescribed burning in Region 5, where he has led burns on 938 acres for the season, almost a third of acres burned so far in the region.
Nongame Conservation:
- All staff who helped with the 2017 Weekend for Wildlife, plus a shout-out to Rick Lavender of Public Affairs, who coordinated field trips, making sure they went smoothly, and who when not working this event produces WRD’s Georgia Wild e-news, news releases and nongame’s annual report.
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Ken VanHoy, who in almost 15 years at the Forsyth office has been an exemplary employee, handling everything from equipment and building repairs to coordinating display set-up at Weekend for Wildlife and helping with prescribed burns and disaster response.
Congrats to all! Thanks for helping WRD excel at customer service and achieve its mission to conserve enhance and promote Georgia's wildlife resources and outdoor heritage through science-driven research, management, regulation and education.
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Changes for January through mid-March (hourly positions not
included).
HIRED
- Ryan Lee Watts, Game Management (Gainesville), wildlife
technician 1
- Angela Ruth Spinks, Fisheries Management (Fort Valley),
fisheries tech 2
- Taylor Kyle Winchell, Game Management (Fort Valley),
wildlife tech 1
- Scott William Fulton, Game Management (Fort Valley),
wildlife tech 1
- Ryan Christopher Meckel, Game Management (Thomson), wildlife
tech 1
- Foster C. Greene, Game Management (Fitzgerald), wildlife
tech 2
PROMOTED
- Bryan Ashley Crowe, Game Management (Albany), wildlife tech
3
- Matthew J. Elliott, Nongame Conservation (Social Circle),
section assistant chief
- Katrina Morris, Nongame Conservation (Social Circle),
wildlife biologist 3
RESIGNED
- Robin Patterson-Hill, Public Affairs (Social Circle),
communications specialist 3
RETIRED
- Patricia C.M. Lanford, Fisheries Management (Social Circle),
manager 2
- C. Winfield Scarbrough,
Fisheries Management (Go Fish Center), fisheries tech supervisor
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