B O A T I N G S A F E T Y A N D
B O A T E R E D U C A T I O N
The Boating Safety Section of Nebraska
Game and Parks annually provides training to county treasurer
offices related to boat registrations and the collection of
registration fees. The Commission secured a $2.7 million grant
through the U.S. Coast Guard in support of boater education and
enforcement. They also processed $736,000 in boat registration
fees from January through September of 2015. One hundred
and sixty-two boater education classes were offered in 2015,
certifying 2,719 students. Hands-on kayak clinics and workshops
were held across the state involving another 3,000 constituents.
In 2015, there were 34 reported boating accidents, 27 of
which required investigation by conservation officers. Thirty-one
persons were injured requiring medical attention and there were
four fatalities.
N E B R A S K A W I L D L I F E C R I M E
S T O P P E R S
Nebraska Wildlife Crime Stoppers (WCS) is a cooperative
wildlife enforcement program sponsored by Nebraska Game
and Parks and the Nebraska Wildlife Protectors Association
(NWPA). It offers rewards for information resulting in arrests
for game law violations. Initiated in 1982, this program allows
concerned sportspersons to report violations and give needed
information on wildlife crimes. To date 1,517 investigations have
been initiated, resulting in 979 arrests and seizure of hundreds
of protected species with more than $70,000 in rewards being
paid. To report a violation, persons can call 1-800-742-7627 and
remain anonymous.
2015 Annual Report • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 53
