Tag: Frank Jezioro

Former DNR Director Named Senator's New Liason

Senator Joe Manchin has appointed the former state director of the division of natural resources to a new, elevated post. 

Manchin named West Virginia’s former director of the Division of Natural Resources Frank Jezioro the senator’s new liaison to sportsmen and natural resources. Manchin was recently tapped to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and will hold a position on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in the new Congress.

Jezioro retired from the director’s position last month after nine years in office. He was appointed by then-Governor Manchin. A representative of Manchin’s office says the new post will be a paid one, but did not know how much Jezioro’s salary will be. In 2013, Jezioro made $75,000 as director of the DNR.
 
Last spring, a bi-partisan group of some 30 state lawmakers sent two letters to Governor Tomblin calling for Jezioro’s resignation.
 
A source in the legislature says he believes Jezioro’s appointment is meant to help mend Manchin’s relationship with the National Rifle Association. Members of the NRA criticized the Senator after he supported stricter gun control measures.

Gov. Tomblin Names New W.Va. Natural Resources Director

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has named Robert A. Fala as director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Fala is replacing Frank Jezioro who retired Wednesday after service as the DNR’s director since 2005.

Over the past three years, Fala served as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was appointed to serve on the DNR’s Natural Resource Commission in August.

The Pennsylvania State University graduate also worked as a coal land reclamation and wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

During Jezioro’s tenure, the DNR has created new wildlife management areas and the senior lifetime hunting and fishing license. He also oversaw major renovations to Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

Bob Fala lives near Chapmanville in Logan County. He is 63.

He said he wants to help direct the agency’s reintroduction of elk into southwestern West Virginia.

Frank Jezioro, W.Va. Natural Resources Director, to Retire

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources director Frank Jezioro is retiring at the end of the year.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced Jezioro’s retirement on Friday in a news release. Tomblin says Jezioro will step down Dec. 31.

Jezioro has served as the DNR’s director since 2005. Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette says Jezioro is the longest serving director in the DNR’s history.

During his tenure, the DNR has created new wildlife management areas and the senior lifetime hunting and fishing license. Jezioro also oversaw major renovations to Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

He says he plans to enjoy the holidays and take his grandchildren hunting.

Buck Kills During W.Va. Deer Season Down

Hunters killed nearly 37,280 bucks during West Virginia’s two-week firearm season. That’s down 34 percent from the 56,523 bucks killed in the 2013 season.

Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro said Friday that bad weather and an excellent acorn crop this fall contributed to lower hunter success.

Preston County led the state with 1,531 bucks killed. Greenbrier County was second with 1,384, followed by Randolph County with 1,254, Lewis County with 1,159 and Ritchie County with 1,157.

Jezioro says the number of bucks killed decreased on all regions. The largest percentage decreases were in the state’s western counties.

The buck firearms season ran from Nov. 24 to Dec. 6.

Senator Supports Legislation Promoting Deer Farms

A Senate Committee saw controversy as House Bill 4286 was discussed.

The bill pulls the state deer farming program from the oversight of the Division of Natural Resources and puts it under the Department of Agriculture.

“The DNR has been doing everything in their power in recent years to squash that entire industry. They will not promote it, they’re trying to kill it,” said Sen. Daniel Hall in support of the legislation.

“We shouldn’t have to do what we’re doing, but in order to promote an industry, we’re trying to move it over to a department that has experience and knowledge in how to promote and regulate an agriculture industry and do it the right way.”

The state DNR has opposed the industry because they feel white tail deer are wild animals and should not be farmed.

Hall said the industry could diversify the economy of areas that are hurting, like southern West Virginia, and he’s calling for DNR Director Frank Jezioro’s resignation.
 

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