200 Wildlife Commission
The Wildlife Commission of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe is hereby created for the purpose of implementing and enforcing the wildlife laws of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe.
(A) The Wildlife Commission shall be comprised of 5 Commissioners who shall be appointed by the Chief of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe to serve in 2-year terms. A Commissioner's term shall not begin until their appointment is confirmed by a majority vote of the Council of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe. At least 3 Commissioners must be citizens of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe. At least 1 Commissioner must have expertise in issues related to wildlife management. The Chief and Assistant Chief of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe shall be ineligible to serve as a Commissioner.
(B) The Wildlife Commission shall elect by majority vote a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary, to serve as Officers of the Commission. Nothing in this section limits the ability of the Wildlife Commission to establish additional Officers for the Commission. No Commissioner may hold more than one Office in the Commission.
(C) The Wildlife Commission is authorized and directed to:
(1) Implement and enforce the provisions of this title;
(2) Establish, implement and enforce wildlife regulations approved pursuant to Section 201 of this title;
(3) Design, implement and administer a plan for the issuance of licenses, permits and tags, and for the collection of fees;
(4) Establish applications for permits for the taking of fish, wildlife and plants for subsistence and ceremonial purposes, on the basis of need, and in accordance with federal law;
(5) Maintain records of all licenses, permits and tags issued for the purpose of hunting, fishing, gathering and outdoor recreation;
(6) Designate outdoor recreational areas for use as hunting grounds during applicable hunting seasons;
(7) Order closure of any hunting, fishing, gathering or outdoor recreational area or season whenever, in their professional judgment, activity is likely to result in a harvest exceeding harvest goals and quotas or present a danger to the public;
(8) Establish procedures to gather biological data and inspect licenses, permits, tags, equipment and vehicles for compliance with this title and wildlife regulations;
(9) Cooperate with and assist the Council of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe; the Chief of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe and executive officers; Tribal Police Administration; federal, state, county and local agencies; non-profit organizations; and individuals;
(10) Restock, replenish and increase any depleted native species of game birds, game animals, or fish;
(11) Have educational matter pertaining to wildlife published and distributed;
(12) Maintain all records of the Wildlife Commission for examination by members of Council, and the Finance Director, or their representatives, at all times. The accounts shall be audited in the manner prescribed by policy; and,
(13) Delegate authority as needed.
(D) Compensation for Commissioners, whether by stipend or salary, shall be set annually by the Tribe Council in accordance with its budgeting procedures.