PITTSBORO — Area residents are invited to comment on proposed changes to state hunting, fishing and trapping regulations at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s District 5 annual public hearing. 

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Building 2 at Central Carolina Community College’s Chatham County Campus, 764 West St., Pittsboro. That campus is home to the college’s sustainable programs in biofuels, agriculture, ecotourism, culinary arts, and sustainable technologies. The commission’s conservation work is a complementary aspect of environmental sustainability. 

“We appreciate the work of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in promoting conservation and wise use of the state's natural resources,” said Karen Allen, the college’s provost for Chatham County. “We are happy to host this important public information session.”

The commissioners are representatives from across the state who help create and maintain laws and regulations governing hunting, fishing, and boating activities in North Carolina. A series of nine public hearings is being held around the state to solicit comments from the public on the proposed 2011-2012 regulations changes. 

District 5 includes Chatham, Lee, Randolph, Rockingham, Guilford, Caswell, Alamance, Person, Orange, Granville and Durham counties. District 5 hearings had previously been held in Graham. 

“For as long as I can remember, this hearing has been held in Alamance County,” said N.C. Rep. Jimmy Love Sr., who represents Lee and western Harnett counties. “I worked very hard to get it closer to our area and I hope every hunter, sportsman and fisherman in this area will take advantage of this important Wildlife Resources meeting.”

In November, after the nine district hearings and a review of all comments, the Wildlife Resources commissioners will vote whether or not to adopt the proposed regulations.

The proposed regulations are available for view at the Wildlife Resources Commission Web site, www.ncwildlife.org. The public can also visit the site to comment online. Comments can also be submitted by mail to: N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Proposed Regulations Comments, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-17101. Public comment will be accepted until Oct. 1. 

For more information on the regulation-making process, download “From Proposal to Regulation” at the Web site. For more on CCCC’s sustainability programs, visit www.cccc.edu.