48 2017 Annual Report
B O A T I N G S A F E T Y A N D E D U C A T I O N
Game and Parks began off ering an online boater education course in June
of 2017. The course (available at OutdoorNebraska.org/boatereducation)
allows students to take the course wherever and whenever is convenient for
them. Classroom boater education courses still are off ered across the state
for those who prefer to learn in a more traditional setting. Anyone born after
Dec. 31, 1985, is required to successfully complete a boater education class
and possess a course certifi cate while operating a boat or personal watercraft.
In 2017, 2,948 students successfully completed boater education. More than
a thousand of these were completed online. Boater registrations increased in
2017 to more than 87,000 vessels. There were 31 boating accidents reported
in 2017 involving 44 diff erent vessels with 13 injuries and three related
fatalities.
L A W E N F O R C E M E N T S T A F F I N G
The legislature approved the hiring of an additional conservation offi cer at
Lake McConaughy in 2017. In all, six new offi cers were hired to fi ll vacant
positions, leaving the division with one vacancy entering 2018.
CONSERVATION
ASSISTS
ANGLERS
IN
CATCHING
FISH
AT
LAKE
MALONEY
STATE
RECREATION
AREA.
O N T H E J O B
●
One investigation focusing on permit fraud netted 108 prosecuted
violations. This returned to the agency more than $52,000 in
liquidated damages for the illegal take of deer.
●
A 10-year average shows that a single conservation offi cer will
contact 1,065 fi shermen, 545 hunters, 28 fur harvesters, 2,606
park visitors, 528 boaters, and another 2,311 miscellaneous
individuals.
●
Offi cers are required to work 160 hours in a 28-day period,
compared to a 40-hour week. This practice helps reduces
overtime through fl exible scheduling, giving supervisors and
offi cers the ability to respond to complaints with minimal
restraints.
