“It’s important to remember that this proposal only sets the ceiling for fees. Any increase in fees for our customers would have to go through the rulemaking process, including another public comment period,” says Director Duane Shroufe. “Sales of hunting and fishing licenses fell 16 percent from 1988 through 2003. Without an increase in statutory fee ceilings, the department will be forced to make service and program reductions.”
“It’s also important to remember that the last statutory fee increase in 1998 only provided for the maintenance of existing department programs. The current proposal, in addition to meeting budget shortfalls, would allow us to increase wildlife surveys, enhance law enforcement presence in the field, and improve our fish hatchery and fish stocking programs, in addition to improving other important services to our customers,” says Shroufe.
The meetings will give the public the opportunity to discuss and provide comment on the proposal. They will be held on the following dates:
November 23, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa.
November 29, 7 p.m., Graham County Health Annex, Community Meeting Room, 820 W. Main St., Safford.
December 1, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson.
December 2, 6:30 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 2510 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix.
December 4, 1 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St., Yuma.
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