NCWRC holding public forums to discuss alligator management plan

Commission seeking public comment at forums and online

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Alligator Task Force, established by resolution of the Commission, are holding six public forums in June to present a draft of the N.C. Alligator Management Plan and receive public input on the plan.

The draft Alligator Management Plan, developed by the N.C. Alligator Task Force, provides biological information on alligators in North Carolina, identifies knowledge gaps and additional research needed on alligators, identifies areas where alligators may be overpopulated, and recommends biological and social strategies to address alligator management issues.

Download the Alligator Management Plan. Each sentence of the plan is numbered to make commenting on specific portions of the plan easier. Reviewers can refer to the line number when providing comments. Comments on the plan will be accepted until June 25.

An online comment form is available for those who cannot attend a public forum but would like to offer input. You may also mail or email comments to Allen Boynton, Wildlife Diversity Program Coordinator, at allen.boynton@ncwildlife.org or 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1700.

Forums will begin at 7 p.m. Dates and locations are:

June 5

Monday

Hampstead

Pender County

Hampstead (Pender County) Annex Auditorium

15060 US-17

Hampstead, NC 28443

June 13

Tuesday

Dublin

Bladen County

Bladen Community College, Parker Bldg. 17 room 113

7418 NC Hwy. 41W

Dublin, NC 28332

June 14

Wednesday

Bolivia

Brunswick County

Brunswick County Complex,

Coop Extension Training Room, Bldg. N

25 Referendum Dr. NE

Bolivia, NC 28422

June 15

Thursday

Jacksonville

Onslow County

Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center

50 Court St.

Jacksonville, NC 28540

June 20

Tuesday

New Bern

Craven County

Craven Community College, Orringer Auditorium

800 College Court

New Bern, NC 2856

June 21

Wednesday

Washington

Beaufort County

Goose Creek State Park, Visitor Center

2190 Camp Leach Rd.

Washington, NC 27889

The Alligator Task Force, along with the Commission, will present the final draft of the N.C. Alligator Management Plan to Wildlife Commissioners at their July 26-27 business meeting in Raleigh.

For more information on alligators in North Carolina, visit www.ncwildlife.org/conserving, or download the Co-Existing with Alligators document.