January 2021 Agenda and Meeting Materials

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 Zoom Webinar at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93114057523
Or iPhone one-tap:
US: +19292056099,,93114057523# or +13017158592,,93114057523#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 931 1405 7523
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZj5Wj8k9

If the Zoom Webinar is at capacity and you cannot join, please view the Simulcast at: January 27, 2021 Natural Resources Board Meeting (vimeo.com)

After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene via eConference at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, originating 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 January 27, 2021
2. CONSENT
   1. Approval of brief of action from December 9, 2020
   2. Friends of Lapham Peak will donate $80,000 for a new storage facility for winter recreation equipment/supplies used in the snowmaking/grooming operations at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Lapham Peak Unit
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole) MODIFIED: This item was moved to 3.C.
   3. The Friends of Lake Wissota State Park will donate $20,481 in the form of a 2020 John Deere Gator 835M UTV. This donation will be used to groom winter ski and multi-use trails, respond to emergencies on park trails, and perform a wide variety of maintenance tasks at Lake Wissota State Park, located in Chippewa County, WI.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
   4. Request approval that prohibition of hunting and trapping is necessary to protect public safety on property to be purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant assistance: Village of Egg Harbor, Door County
      (Pam Rood, Stewardship Grant Manager)
   5. Request approval that prohibition of hunting and trapping is necessary to protect public safety on property to be purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant assistance: Village of Sister Bay, Door County
      (Pam Rood, Stewardship Grant Manager)
   6. Request approval that prohibition of hunting is necessary to protect public safety on property to be purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant assistance: City of Waterloo, Jefferson County
      (Pam Rood, Stewardship Grant Manager)
   7. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order WY-27-20 and Emergency Board Order WY-26-20(E) for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 114, 146, 520 and 524 to allow for third party administration of operator certification examinations.
      (Steve Geis, Certification Services Section Chief)
   8. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order FH-28-20 (E), for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 25, related to Lake Michigan whitefish harvest
      (Meredith Penthorn, Fisheries Management Policy Specialist) ADDED
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   1. 1. Monetary Donation, Land Acquisition, Property Name Change and Parcel Re- designation–White River State Trail and Burlington to Kansasville State Trail–Racine County
      2. Land Donation – Ice Age Trail – Washington County
         (Jim Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
   2. Friends of Lapham Peak will donate $80,000 for a new storage facility for winter recreation equipment/supplies used in the snowmaking/grooming operations at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Lapham Peak Unit
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
   3. The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will donate $87,000 to be used to support management of pollinator habitat at 12 DNR properties in southwest Wisconsin.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole) MODIFIED: This item was moved from 2.B.
4. ACTION ITEMS
   ADOPTION (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   MISCELLANEOUS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
   1. 1. Request that the Board take from the table and consider Board Order EA-14-18, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 130, 131, 132, and 182 related to nonferrous metallic mining activities
         (Dave Siebert, External Services Division Administrator)
         Background Memo Attachment – Track Change Version of Rule Order
      2. Request adoption of revised Board Order EA-14-18, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 130, 131, 132, and 182 related to nonferrous metallic mining activities
         (Dave Siebert, External Services Division Administrator)
   2. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order WM-19-20 (E) and Board Order WM-20-20 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for WM-20-20 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to establishing the 2021 migratory bird season framework and regulations
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Regulation Policy Specialist)
   3. Request approval of department recommendations for the 2021 bear harvest quotas
      (Randy Johnson, Large Carnivore Specialist)
   4. Land Acquisition - Tiffany Wildlife Area - Buffalo County
      (Jim Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
5. 1. OPEN FORUM (Testimony that pertains to topics not on the meeting agenda) - at approximately 10:15 a.m. or following break. Please refer to pages 4-5 of agenda for required pre-registration information and protocol.
   2. RECOGNITION
      1. The Rebecca Wallace Award
         (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. DNR COVID-19 Update
      (Todd Ambs, DNR Deputy Secretary)
   2. Report and preliminary results of the 2020 deer seasons
      (Casey Krueger, Chief Warden, Kimberly Currie, Customer and Outreach Services Bureau Director, and Eric Lobner, Wildlife Management Bureau Director)
7. DEPARTMENTS SECRETARY'S MATTERS
   1. Retirement Recognition - Action
      1. Cheryl A. Bougie, Water Quality, 32 years
      2. Susan K. Cook, Customer and Outreach Services, 32 years
      3. Glenn M. Falkowski, Drinking Water and Ground Water, 34 years
      4. John J. Hnat, Remediation and Redevelopment, 22 years
      5. Michael A. Lehman, Forestry, 22 years
      6. Elizabeth A. Norquist, Community Financial Assistance, 18 years
      7. Steven P. Runstrom, Forestry, 29 years
      8. Edward M. Slaminski, Community Financial Assistance, 33 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 buckshot usage when hunting
            (Keith Warnke, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Division Administrator) ADDED
         2. Update on NR 159 firefighting foam rule status
            (Cheryl Heilman, Chief Legal Counsel) ADDED
      3. Planning Status Update - None
8. BOARD MEMBERS' MATTERS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. Board Members' MatterS
   2. Election of Officers: Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair

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 Zoom Webinar at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93114057523
Or iPhone one-tap:
US: +19292056099,,93114057523# or +13017158592,,93114057523#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 931 1405 7523
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZj5Wj8k9

If the Zoom Webinar is at capacity and you cannot join, please view the Simulcast at: January 27, 2021 Natural Resources Board Meeting (vimeo.com)

After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand.

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, January 20, 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.