North Dakota Director of Game and Fish
| North Dakota Director of Game and Fish | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2011-2013 FY Budget: | $65,687,742 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Other North Dakota Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission • Tax Commissioner | |
The North Dakota Director of Game and Fish is an appointed executive position in the North Dakota state government. The director serves as head of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, whose mission is "to protect, conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitat for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use."[1]
Authority
Although the first game and fish laws were established in 1861 before North Dakota officially became a state, a game and fish department wasn't formed until 1893. At that time, the superintendent of irrigation and forestry was named commissioner. In 1909 the game and fish board was established, managing the affairs of the department until 1929 when the North Dakota Legislative Assembly passed legislation that placed the authority for administering the department in a single commissioner. In 1991, the title was changed from commissioner to director.[2]
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office.[3]
Appointments
The director is appointed by the governor to a four-year term, beginning the first day of July after the governor's election.[3]
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy in the office of director, the governor may appoint a new director.[3]
Duties
The duties of the director are outlined in Chapter 20-1.02 of the North Dakota Century Code:
- enforce state laws involving wildlife
- educate the public on conservation matters
- manage the stock of fish in state waters
- supervise the breeding, capture, distribution and preservation of game birds
- maintain a registry of all hunting and fishing licenses[3]
Divisions
The department of game and fish in North Dakota has five divisions:
- The Administrative Services Division manages general office and facility management, provides technical support for the rest of the department, issues all fishing, hunting and boating licenses, and serves as the strategic planning branch of the department. There are four offices within this division: accounting and basic operations, data processing, licensing and planning.
- The Enforcement Division enforces North Dakota's game and fish laws, rules and regulations. The district game wardens who work in this division also provide educational programming and work with farmers to prevent wildlife predators from attacking crops and feed supplies.
- The Fisheries Division administers the state's fish hatcheries, monitors the effects of sport fishing on lakes and fish populations and manages public facilities on lakes and ponds. There are three programs within this division: fish management, sport fisheries research and lake/stream management.
- The Conservation and communications Division works to reduce the impact other state and federal agencies have on the natural habitats of the state's fish and wildlife. The staff also manages the endangered species programs, manages the department's publications and provides educational programming for hunters, boaters and the general public. There are three sections within this division: conservation, communications and outreach.
- The Wildlife Division maintain natural habitats and wildlife management areas, conducts research to determine the hunting season each year and works with private land owners to make their lands accessible for hunting as well as the development of fish and wildlife habitats. There are three programs within this division: lands and development, game management and the private land habitat program.[2]
State budget
- See also: North Dakota state budget and finances
The budget for the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish in Fiscal Year 2011-2013 was $65,687,742.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The North Dakota Director of Game and Fish is legally entitled to an annual salary in accordance with Title 54 of the North Dakota Century Code. Taking into account value adjustments, the statute contains compensation figures for the previous and current year only.[5]
2016
In 2016, the director received a salary of $125,628, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2015
In 2015, the director received a salary of $121,968, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2014
In 2014, the director received a salary of $118,416, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2013
In 2013, the director was paid an estimated $113,856. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[9]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the North Dakota Director of Game and Fish has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Contact information
North Dakota Game and Fish Department
100 N. Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58501-5095
Phone: 701-328-6305
Fax: 701-328-6352
Email: Game and Fish Department
See also
| North Dakota | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ North Dakota Game and Fish Department, "About Us," accessed April 28, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 North Dakota Legislation, "Article 30-01: General administration," accessed July 13, 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 North Dakota State Legislature, "CHAPTER 20.1-02, GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT," accessed Oct. 2, 2015
- ↑ State of North Dakota, "Legislative Appropriations 2011-2013 Biennium," accessed April 15, 2013
- ↑ North Dakota Century Code "General Provisions-Title 54," accessed February 18, 2015
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 4, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 27, 2014
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