April 2021 Agenda and Meeting Materials

View Wisconsin Natural Resources Board agendas, meeting calendar, webcasts, biographies and public participation info online.

Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify and/or written comment is 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.

In light of COVID-19, the Natural Resources Board will be meeting via eConference. The public will not be allowed to watch the meeting from GEF 2. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration.

The public is encouraged to watch the Board meeting via YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/FY5XBkGAJpA

After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand at
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/About/NRB/NRB-Webcasts

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board virtual meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from Public Meeting Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7-8 as listed on the Agenda.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that matters concerning natural resource issues or the Department’s program responsibilities or operations specified in the Wisconsin Statutes, which arise after publication of this agenda may be added to the agenda and publicly noticed no less than two hours before the scheduled board meeting, if the Board Chair determines that the matter is urgent.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
   1. Calling the roll
   2. Approval of agenda for April 14, 2021
2. CONSENT
   1. Approval of agenda for February 15, 2021 special meeting
   2. Approval of brief of action from February 24, 2021
   3. The Paul E. Stry Foundation will donate $25,000 to be used to support the management of State Natural Areas.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
   4. Land Acquisition and Partial Donation – Glacial Habitat Restoration Area – Fond du Lac County
      (Jim Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief, and Brigit Brown, Recreation Management Section Chief)
   5. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order FH-29-20 (E) and Board Order FH-30-20, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 20, related to lake trout harvest and season in Lake Michigan
      (Meredith Penthorn, Fisheries Management policy specialist)
   6. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order WM-01-21(E), Board Order WM-02-21 and Board Order WM-03-21 for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 8, 10, 12 and 19 related to gray wolf harvest regulations
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Policy Specialist)
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
1. Donation of $45,000 from Orbridge, LLC for tree planting on DNR lands
   (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
4. ACTION ITEMS
   ADOPTION (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   1. Presentation of the 2021 Laboratory of the Year
      (Steve Geis, Certification Services Section Chief)
   2. Request approval of department recommendations for the FY 2022 Laboratory Certification and Registration Program Fee Adjustment
      (Steve Geis, Certification Services Section Chief)
   3. Postponed from the February 24, 2021 meeting: Request adoption of Board Order WY-18-18, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 113 and 114 related to clarifying and streamlining certain regulatory requirements for septage servicing
      (Wade Strickland, Water Quality Permits Section Chief)
   4. Request adoption of Board Order RR-10-17, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 700 to 799 related to implementation of 2015 Wisconsin Act 204 and 2017 Wisconsin Act 70, adequate direction for contaminated sediments, and other changes needed to update, clarify, and promote consistency within chapters NR 700 to 799
      Supporting Document - Track Changes In Board Order
      Supplement to Background Memo with optional recommendation for RR-10-17
      (Darsi Foss, Environmental Management Division Administrator) (Moved from the 2/24/21 agenda)
   5. Request adoption of Board Order FH-10-20, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 20 and 25 related to fish harvest in Lake Superior
      (Brad Ray, Lake Superior fisheries team supervisor)
   6. Request adoption of Emergency Board Order FH-28-20(E), proposed rules affecting chapters NR 20 and 25 related to Lake Michigan whitefish management
      (Bradley Eggold, Great Lakes District fisheries supervisor)
   7. Request adoption of Emergency Board Order WM-19-20(E), proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to establishing the 2021 migratory bird season framework and regulations
      (Taylor Finger, Migratory Bird Specialist, Bureau of Wildlife Management)
   SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   8. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order WM-18-20 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 10 and 45 related to the 2021 Wildlife Management spring hearing rule related to hunting, trapping, and target shooting (Scott Karel, Wildlife Policy Specialist)
   9. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order FH-14-20, and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for Board Order number FH-14-20 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 19-26 related to minor changes to fishing regulations on inland, outlying and boundary waters (the 2021 Fisheries Management housekeeping rule) (Meredith Penthorn, Fisheries Management policy specialist)
   MISCELLANEOUS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   10. Request approval of Wisconsin’s Sturgeon Management Plan
       (Brad Eggold, Great Lakes District Fisheries Supervisor) (Moved from the 2/24/21 agenda) REMOVED, Moved to May Agenda
   11. Request approval of the 2021-2031 Elk Management Plan
       (Scott Roepke, Wildlife Biologist)
5. 1. OPEN FORUM (Testimony that pertains to topics not on the meeting agenda) – at approximately 10:15 a.m. following break. Please refer to pages 4 and 5 of agenda for required pre-registration information and protocol.
6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. DNR COVID-19 Update
      (Todd Ambs, DNR Deputy Secretary)
7. DEPARTMENTS SECRETARY'S MATTERS
   1. Retirement Recognition - Action
      1. Pamela E. Buss, Public Safety and Resource Protection, 29 years
      2. Penny J. Kanable, Public Safety and Resource Protection, 42 years
      3. John C. Moore, Public Safety and Resource Protection, 26 years
      4. Kenneth D. Thomson, Public Safety and Resource Protection, 29 years
      5. Michael J. Vogelsang, Fisheries Management, 30 years
   2. Department Secretary's Matters - Informational (Written Comment Welcome)
      1. Acts of the Department Secretary - Real Estate Transactions
      2. Department Secretary's Matters
         1. Update on wolf management planning process and on 2021 wolf harvest season preparation (Keith Warnke, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Division Administrator)
      3. Planning Status Update - None
8. BOARD MEMBERS' MATTERS

The public is welcome to attend a Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting. The NRB also provides opportunities for citizens to testify and to submit written comment about issues that come before the NRB. See complete information on public participation at Board meetings here.

The public is encouraged to watch the Board meeting via YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/FY5XBkGAJpA

After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand at
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/About/NRB/NRB-Webcasts

The following meeting resources also are available: Agenda Item Packets (also known as green sheet packages are linked to the corresponding item on the website/html meeting agenda here -- click on the blue “View agendas” button then scroll down.), supporting documents, and public comment. Media Site recordings and the Brief of Action are used as the legal record of Board Meetings.

Public Appearance Protocol: Only remote testimony (no face-to-face appearances) will be offered at the December meeting. You must be pre-registered to testify. Those that do not pre-register will not have the opportunity to testify. Confirmed speakers will receive meeting logistics via email. Those confirmed to testify on a specific agenda item will testify on that item prior to vote.

The time that item 5. - Open Forum may be before the Board is approximately 10:15 a.m. or immediately following morning break. If you arrive late at either location, you may lose your opportunity to testify. Each speaker will have three minutes to give their testimony.

The following is from the Board’s meeting guidelines: Only one speaker per organization. Testi mony that threatens, intimidates, or includes disparaging comments about Board Members, department staff, and other members of the public will not be allowed. Those that do so may be removed from the meeting or remote location. Written comment is always welcome.

Please contact Laurie Ross, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at laurie.ross@wisconsin.gov with NRB related questions, to request information, to submit written comments, to register to attend a Board tour, and to register to testify at a meeting or listening session.

Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify or written comment is 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2020

The DNR strives to ensure the comfort and safety of staff and visitors by encouraging a fragrance-free environment. Our chemically sensitive staff and visitors thank you for refraining from using scented products.

The NRB and Department of Natural Resources are committed to serving people with disabilities. Please contact the NRB Liaison to request NRB information in an alternative format.