Recommendation #4 



We recommend the department re-evaluate the current base payment system used to 

 compensate landowners enrolled in the block management program. 



Concur 



The Department agrees that the current system used to compensate landowners in the 

 program can be improved. The Block Management Working Group (BMWG) is expected to 

 report to the Department by the summer of 2000 with their recommendations for improving the 

 current system. The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PL/PW) Advisory Council is also expected to 

 provide input about this aspect of the program. For example, the current system provides an 

 incentive for quantity over quality of hunting opportunity. Ultimately, it may be determined that 

 the current statutes requiring that compensation be based only on potential impacts are not 

 adequate or flexible enough to meet access demands throughout the state. If this is the case, the 

 Department, or the PL/PW Council, may need to seek statutory changes. 



Recommendation #5 



We recommend department officials explore options for the block Management Program 

 to provide benefits to landowners other than money and a single resident sportsman 

 license or non-resident big game combination license. 



Concur. 



Both the Block Management Working Group (BMWG) and the Private Land/Public 

 Wildlife (PL/PW) Advisory Group are exploring these options, and based upon their 

 recommendations, either legislation or FWP Commission rule changes may be pursued to 

 achieve this goal. 



Recommendation #6 



We recommend the department develop a system where contracts can be established for 

 terms of more than one year. 



Concur. 



Current rules allow for block management contract periods of up to five years, and with 

 the extension of the program's sunset provisions to March 1, 2006, and subsequent stabilization 

 of the program's funding, the Department will begin negotiating multi-year contracts with some 

 block management cooperators beginning with the 2000 hunting season. This needs to be 

 balanced with the need to re-evaluate on an annual basis including the best properties in the 

 program. 



Recommendation #7 



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