OPEN FIELDS & OPEN FIELDS & WATERS PROGRAMWATERS PROGRAM

A PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM FOR A PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM FOR HUNTERS AND ANGLERSHUNTERS AND ANGLERS

OFFERED BY THE NEBRASKA GAME OFFERED BY THE NEBRASKA GAME & PARKS COMMISSION& PARKS COMMISSION

The PilotThe Pilot

The NGPC has initiated a new 2-year “pilot” access The NGPC has initiated a new 2-year “pilot” access program this year that hopes to expand: program this year that hopes to expand: the habitat types beyond those enrolled in the current CRP-the habitat types beyond those enrolled in the current CRP-

MAP program, MAP program, the opportunities for different kinds of hunting the opportunities for different kinds of hunting and fishingand fishing

on enrolled lands, and on enrolled lands, and the quantity of lands enrolled the quantity of lands enrolled in public accessin public access. .

To fuel the plan, the Commission authorized the To fuel the plan, the Commission authorized the expenditure of $500,000 for access, from user fees. expenditure of $500,000 for access, from user fees.

We hope to match these funds with other matching We hope to match these funds with other matching funds in the near future.funds in the near future.

HuntingHunting Sites MUST have a core of mature woodland or quality Sites MUST have a core of mature woodland or quality

wetland hunting habitat.wetland hunting habitat.• complement the grassland/upland game focus of CRP-MAPcomplement the grassland/upland game focus of CRP-MAP

Deer hunting is an important gateway hunting opportunity, but Deer hunting is an important gateway hunting opportunity, but many landowners may not enroll their land if they have to give many landowners may not enroll their land if they have to give up the 9-day rifle deer season.up the 9-day rifle deer season.

Landowners can enroll acres that exclude hunting access Landowners can enroll acres that exclude hunting access during the rifle deer season for a reduced payment during the rifle deer season for a reduced payment

• provide access for archery, muzzleloader, and January anterless only provide access for archery, muzzleloader, and January anterless only deer huntingdeer hunting

• turkey hunting and small game huntingturkey hunting and small game hunting

FishingFishing

NGPC will more broadly enter into providing access NGPC will more broadly enter into providing access for fishing on private lands.for fishing on private lands.

Includes potential access for lakes, ponds, rivers and Includes potential access for lakes, ponds, rivers and streams to create expanded fishing opportunities.streams to create expanded fishing opportunities.

Areas enrolled for fishing access must provide Areas enrolled for fishing access must provide quality (publicly desired) fishing opportunities.quality (publicly desired) fishing opportunities. Water qualityWater quality Shoreline condition/ aquatic vegetationShoreline condition/ aquatic vegetation Fish! (Landowner information and site evaluation)Fish! (Landowner information and site evaluation)

Rate ZonesRate Zones

Counties were selected based on human population densities; Counties were selected based on human population densities; easy driving distance of major cities (Lincoln, Omaha, and the easy driving distance of major cities (Lincoln, Omaha, and the Grand Island/ Kearney/Hastings area, and/or the Platte River Grand Island/ Kearney/Hastings area, and/or the Platte River where hunting access is at a premium. where hunting access is at a premium.

Current target area includes 89% of state population. Current target area includes 89% of state population.

Rule of thumb: higher rates apply to counties that are closer to Rule of thumb: higher rates apply to counties that are closer to urban centers and have greater opportunities for use. urban centers and have greater opportunities for use.

Expanded Access Rate ZonesExpanded Access Rate Zones(Hunting Only)(Hunting Only)

Red Area Contains 89% of Nebraska’s Human Population.

Hunting Access Rate TableHunting Access Rate Table

** A base of 10 acres of mature deciduous woodland or 10 acres of huntable A base of 10 acres of mature deciduous woodland or 10 acres of huntable wetland or 40 acres of coniferous woodland is Required.wetland or 40 acres of coniferous woodland is Required.

Fishing Access Rate TableFishing Access Rate Table

Payment CalculatorPayment CalculatorData Entry Table for Hunting Access (enter the acres of each land type here) Fishing Access Rate Data Entry Table

Acres

Access Class

High Rate Woodland or Wetland* (min. required)

Low Rate Woodland or High Rate Grassland

Roundout Low Rate Grassland, Wetland or Cropland

Lake/Pond Fishing Rate (Rate: $250+$40/ac.)

Cold Water River/Stream Fishing Rate (Rate: $750/mi.)

Warm Water River/Stream Fishing Rate (Rate: $500/mi.)

Target Area All Seasons 0.0 0.0 0.0 $0.00 Enter Acres

Target Area w/o Rifle Deer 0.0 0.0 0.0 $0.00 0.0 0.00 0.00 $0.00Standard - All Seasons 0.0 0.0 0.0 $0.00

Standard - w/o Rifle Deer 0.0 0.0 0.0 $0.00

* a minimum of 10 acres of deciduous forest or wetlands, or 40 acres of coniferous forest are required for hunting.

Hunting Access Rate Data Table for Hunting Access

**Administration must approve contracts of > $5,000.

Enrollment Zones

High Rate Woodland or Wetland* (min. required)

Low Rate Woodland or High Rate Grassland

Roundout Low Rate Grassland, Wetland or Cropland

Target Area All Seasons $12.00 $3.00 $1.00Target Area w/o Rifle Deer $9.00 $2.25 $0.75Standard - All Seasons $6.00 $1.50 $0.50Standard - w/o Rifle Deer $4.50 $1.00 $0.25

Hunting Access Data Calculation Report (this report calculates the values for the Hunting Data Entry Table using values from the Hunting Access Rate Table)

Type

High Rate Woodland or Wetland* (min. required)

Low Rate Woodland or High Rate Grassland

Roundout Low Rate Grassland, Wetland or Cropland

Total Payment (unadjusted)

% cap of total for Roundout of total

Payment for Roundout (adjusted)

Total Payment (Adjusted)

Target Area All Seasons $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.25 $0.00 $0.00Target Area w/oRifle Deer $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.25 $0.00 $0.00Standard - All Seasons $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.25 $0.00 $0.00Standard - w/o Rifle Deer $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.25 $0.00 $0.00

Yellow cells are for data entry. All other cells are Locked

Miles (1/2 if only one side of stream included)

Enter Miles

Enter Acres

Payment Per Acre

Total Payment (Adjusted)

Total Fishing Rate

$0.00Total Payment to Landowner**

CONTRACT PROCESSCONTRACT PROCESS

1.1. Landowner ContactLandowner Contact2.2. Site Visit to ensure eligibility and quality Site Visit to ensure eligibility and quality 3.3. Determine enrollment acres, type, and payment amountDetermine enrollment acres, type, and payment amount4.4. Develop contract (one or two years)Develop contract (one or two years)

• attach aerial photo or plat map with enrolled area clearly markedattach aerial photo or plat map with enrolled area clearly marked

5.5. Obtain appropriate signatures, including W-9 formObtain appropriate signatures, including W-9 form6.6. Contracts must be signed by June 15 for Atlas inclusionContracts must be signed by June 15 for Atlas inclusion7.7. Post signs prior to September 1Post signs prior to September 18.8. Staff will conduct site visits and compliance reviewsStaff will conduct site visits and compliance reviews9.9. Staff submit recommendation for payment in AprilStaff submit recommendation for payment in April10.10. Modifications of contracts (changes, reenrollments, Modifications of contracts (changes, reenrollments,

cancellations) occur in the Springcancellations) occur in the Spring

AtlasAtlas

All enrolled acres will be published in a program Atlas.

Final additions or deletions are due by July 1, prior to printing the Atlas

SignsSigns

There will be several There will be several different signs to depict the different signs to depict the program differences. program differences.

There will also be various There will also be various public information signs, public information signs, like boundary or 200 yard like boundary or 200 yard limit limit

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?