The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has proposed restructuring several state regulations impacting hunting and the use of public lands with dogs. With these housekeeping changes, DEM wants to streamline how the public is able to access and abide by the regulations for hunting in a more effective way. Rhode Island dog owners and out-of-state dog owners that use Rhode Island public lands for dog-related activities are encouraged to review the proposals and provide comment to DEM.
SUMMARY:
Many Rhode Island regulations dealing with hunting and the use of public lands with dogs are currently found in one long regulation, Park and Management Area Rules and Regulations (250-RICR-100-00-1). The proposed changes would do away with that rule and separate it into four smaller rules based on type of regulated activity (hunting/trapping and general rules) and type of land (state parks and conservation management areas). The proposed rule updates do not change the substance of current rules, only reorganize them.
The dog-related rules to be changed include:
(1) Park and Management Area Rules and Regulations (rescind 250-RICR-100-00-1)
(2) Hunting and Trapping Regulations for the 2022 – 2023 and 2023 – 2024 Seasons (250-RICR-60-00-9)
(3) General Provisions for State Parks and Conservation Management Areas (250-RICR-100-00-7)
(4) State Parks (205-RICR-100-00-8)
(5) Conservation Management Areas (250-RICR-100-00-8)
A detailed summary of the proposed rules may be viewed here.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Rhode Island dog owners and out-of-state dog owners that use Rhode Island public lands for dog-related activities are encouraged to review the proposals and provide any comments they have to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. RI DEM is accepting comments through March 29, 2023. Comments should be directed to:
Molly Ogren, Chief of Program Development
Department of Environmental Management
Director’s Office
235 Promenade Street
4th Floor
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Molly.Ogren@dem.ri.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.