KDFWR seeks feedback for future Otter Creek Outdor Rec Area

[E_]

Dear E,

If you are currently a member of the Kentucky Conservation Coalition, thank you for joining. Please share this e-mail with other outdoorsmen and women. To join the KCC and its many partners, including The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, please sign up for this FREE service by clicking here http://www.kycoalition.org.







Autumn Greetings!
T he Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is seeking public input through an online survey for the future Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. As you may know, t he Fish & Wildlife Department is acquir ing th e 2200-acre area located in Meade County, southwest of Loui svil l e, to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, shooting, boating, and a variety of other outdoor recreation activities that would be accessible to a significant portion of Kentuckians, as well as residents of other states in the region. Moreover, the addition of this property to the recreational offerings in its area will increase tourism and associated economic impacts in the region.

P ublic input through this survey will help to inform the evaluation and planning process that the Department is undergoing to develop recreational opportunities at th e unique facility . The survey will be open through October 15 th . One survey submission per household will be used. Persons who do not have Internet access may request a paper copy of the survey by calling 1-800-858-1549; the Fish & Wildlife Information Center is open 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. eastern time, Monday thru Friday.


We are sharing this invitation as widely as possible to encourage public participat ion in the survey . If you are a leader or are otherwise involved in a n organization that involves hunting, fishing, boating, shooting, wildlife viewing, hiking, disc golf, horseback riding, trail running, mountain biking, or other forms of outdoor- recreation that may be applicable to Otter Creek , we encourage you to forward this message to fellow members of your organization, as well as to other outdoor recreationists with whom you have contact. You may also wish to post the link to the survey on your organization’s Web page, as applicable.

T he link to the survey is : http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/366294/Otter-Creek-Survey







A copy of the official news release regarding the survey follows this message below.



We apologize for any duplicates of this message that you may receive. Thank you in advance for your help with this public involvement process.


Public Affairs Division
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
1 Sportsman's Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-3400
Did you know... The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources receives NO state tax dollars and manages wildlife for all citizens?

Experience the Unbridled Spirit of Kentucky

www.kentuckyunbridledspirit.com



Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources News


Online survey launched for future Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area




FRANKFORT, Ky. –The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources launched an online survey this week to gain public input as it plans for future uses of the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area in Meade County. The survey will remain open until Oct. 15.
The survey is available on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Internet site, www.fw.ky.gov. Look for the “Take our ONLINE SURVEY” link along the right margin of the home page, beneath “Connect with KDFWR.” The survey is limited to one per household.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is acquiring the property formerly known as Otter Creek Park. The property, which was formerly operated by the Louisville Metro Parks Department, closed for budgetary reasons in January 2009.
“Otter Creek will provide a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities within easy driving distance to more than a fourth of the state’s population,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett. “We pursued this area to make public land available for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related recreation at little cost to sportsmen and women.
“Because of the unique facilities already existing on the property, we also hope to offer many of the previous activities available at Otter Creek, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, trail running, camping and picnicking,” he continued.
“A critical point is that Otter Creek must now pay for itself,” Gassett noted. “The cost of operating Otter Creek will no longer be borne by all taxpayers in Jefferson County as before.”
Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area will operate like other department programs – visitors who use the area will help pay for its operation and maintenance.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife receives its funding through license sales and other revenues stemming from hunting, fishing, boating and shooting. The department receives no state General Fund tax dollars.
Potential users who participate in the Otter Creek survey will help Kentucky Fish and Wildlife with evaluating its options for the area. This public input, along with other information being obtained by the department, will be used to help determine the future uses of the area.
Survey participants may register to win a $25, $50 or a $100 cash gift card provided by the nonprofit Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Participants can also sign up for e-mail updates about Otter Creek after completing the survey.
Persons without Internet access may call 1-800-858-1549 to request a paper copy and instructions for completing the survey.

-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our website at fw.ky.gov.