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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Coordinates: 40°50′05″N 96°40′19″W / 40.834668°N 96.671812°W / 40.834668; -96.671812
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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Logo of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Agency overview
FormedEstablished in 1901; 123 years ago (1901), by the Nebraska Legislature
JurisdictionState of Nebraska
Headquarters2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68503-0370
40°50′05″N 96°40′19″W / 40.834668°N 96.671812°W / 40.834668; -96.671812
Agency executives
  • Tim McCoy, Director[1]
  • Jim Swenson, Deputy Director
Websiteoutdoornebraska.gov
Map
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Nebraska Game and Parks Jurisdiction within the State of Nebraska in the United States, highlighted in red.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) is the State of Nebraska's State agency charged with stewardship of the state's fish, wildlife, state park, and outdoor recreation resources. The agency is led by a governor-appointed member commission consisting of 9 commissioners which directs agency management. The commission is also charged with issuing of state hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and boat registrations. The agency also manages State Parks and recreation areas throughout the state. It conducts public education programs for hunting and boating safety. The agency is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Board of Commissioners

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The agency is governed by a board of nine commissioners, with one commissioner representing each of the eight commission districts and one At-Large commissioner. Each commissioner is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature to a 6-year term. The commission meets six times per year.[2] The following is the current makeup of Commissioners:

  • Vacant, District 1
  • Donna Kush, District 2 - Omaha
  • Ken Curry, District 3 - Columbus
  • John Hoggatt, District 4 - Kearney
  • Dan Hughes, District 5 - Venango
  • Pat Berggren, District 6 - Broken Bow
  • Doug Zingula, District 7 - Sidney
  • Rick Brandt, District 8 - Roca
  • Scott Cassels, At Large - Omaha

District Offices

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The Game and Parks Commission operates four regional offices:[3]

In addition, service centers that issue hunting & fishing licenses and issue other permits are located in: Bassett, Kearney, Gretna, and Omaha.

State Parks and Recreation areas

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See main article: Nebraska State Parks

Among the park facilities controlled by the commission are the state's 85 state-owned parks facilities, divided into four categories:

  • State Parks – Areas of scientific, historic, or scenic value that are of sufficient size to be developed for public use without infringing on the primary value of the area.
  • State Recreation Areas – Areas primarily of outdoor recreational value. All the state's water-oriented parks fall into this category.
  • State Historical Parks – Areas primarily of significant historical value.
  • State Recreation Trails – Linear corridors of statewide or regional value designed for non-motorized recreational use.

Wildlife Management

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The agency manages over 250 state Wildlife Management Areas. The acquisition and maintenance of these areas is funded entirely through hunting and fishing license fees. Primitive camping is generally allowed in these areas.

Law Enforcement

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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - Division of Law Enforcement (Conservation Officers)
AbbreviationGPC
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionNebraska, U.S.
Size77,421 square miles (200,520 km2)
Population1,774,571 (2007 est.)[4]
Governing bodyNebraska Game and Parks Commission
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersLincoln, Nebraska
Conservation Officers61 (as of 2023) [5]
Agency executive
  • Craig Stover, Law Enforcement Division Administrator
Patrol Districts4 - Northwest (Scottsbluff), Southeast (Lincoln), Northeast (Norfolk), and Southwest (North Platte)
Website
http://outdoornebraska.gov/conservationofficers/

The commission is charged with enforcement of fish, wildlife, boating, and other state and federal laws and regulations within the state. Conservation officers patrol public lands including state parks, wildlife management areas, rivers, lakes, and other areas for law violations. Conservation officers are fully commissioned State law enforcement officers and can enforce all state laws and regulations throughout the state. These officers also conduct public outreach to educate the public on water safety, firearm safety, and stewardship of public natural resources.[6]

Law enforcement patrol districts

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About Us". 30 October 2023.
  2. ^ "The Commission". 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Office Locations". 30 October 2023.
  4. ^ 2007 Population Estimates Archived 2008-09-18 at the Library of Congress Web Archives
  5. ^ [1] Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Conservation Officers". 2 November 2015.
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