April 22, 2024 – Madison, WI – State Representative Ty Bodden (R-Stockbridge) issued the following statement regarding collaborative efforts made by local, state and federal representatives to keep lake sturgeon off the endangered species list:
“Today, Wisconsinites can cheer the decision made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep lake sturgeon off of the endangered species list. I am proud of the joint efforts made by all stakeholders regarding this issue. This was never a partisan issue. I would like to thank everyone for their tireless work and commitment. This is a fantastic day for sturgeon spearers!”
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was ordered by an Illinois federal judge to publish a determination on listing lake sturgeon as an endangered species by June 30, 2024. The issue originated from potential population concerns outside of Wisconsin.
Rep. Ty Bodden authored the original letter sent to the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Director Martha Williams, on October 17, 2023, providing them information on the Wisconsin Sturgeon population and why they should remain off of the endangered species list.
Shortly after, Rep. Bodden and Sen. Stroebel authored AJR106, which instructed the DNR to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to keep sturgeon off the endangered species list, which passed both chambers of the legislature. Earlier this month, Rep. Ty Bodden and Rep. Chanz Green sent a letter to President Biden, requesting he not to roll back some of the Trump era ESA rules.
“Wisconsin has done an excellent job managing the population and has been the blueprint for other states to grow their sturgeon population. I want to thank the fishing clubs, the Wisconsin DNR, my legislative colleagues, Congressman Gallagher, Congressman Grothman and their staff for working together on this. Now, the sturgeon spearing tradition should be here for years to come.”
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The 59th Assembly District includes portions of Calumet, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Washington Counties including the communities of Stockbridge, New Holstein, Mount Calvary, St. Cloud, Taycheedah, Campbellsport, Kewaskum, Allenton and Hartford.
