Shaman- Here's a quote from a newspaper article that might clear up some things on the rule change:
The Division of Fish & Wildlife initiated a number of rule ideas/topics for public comment earlier this year to start the biennial rule change process. Thousands of comments were received both online and by regular mail in January and February. A few ideas submitted by the Division of Fish & Wildlife were dropped, and a couple of ideas received by the public were added as a result of some of the comments. As a result of public comments and requests by staff of the Division of Fish & Wildlife, the amendments are proposed.
The Commission is an autonomous board addressing issues pertaining to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The Commission includes the DNR director, heads of three other state agencies (Environmental Management, Tourism, and Transportation), six citizens appointed by the governor on a bipartisan basis, the chair of the Commission�s advisory council, and the president of the Indiana Academy of Science.
Getting the rule change through the Division of Fish and Wildlife was the first hurdle. This type of rule change has been denied in the past at this level. Once they proposed the amendment it's open to public comment and possibly a 'hearing'. The NRC has to approve of the rule change to put it in effect. They meet 4 times/year and I think the next meeting is in fact in March.
