NRB_Content Page_December 2023 agenda and meeting materials

December 2023 Agenda and Meeting Materials

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board

December 2023 Natural Resources Board agenda. This is the official agenda.

View Wisconsin Natural Resources Board agendas, meeting calendar, webcasts, biographies and public participation info online at: http://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/overview.html

Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify and/or written comment is 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6 2023.

The Natural Resources Board will meet in person. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In-person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely, in person, or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration.

The public is encouraged to watch the Board meeting via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjpmqHO32o

WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

AGENDA

For the meeting at:
Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
101 South Webster Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street Madison, Wisconsin. Board will act on items 1-4 and 7 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. Secretary’s Remarks
    3. Approval of agenda for Dec. 13, 2023
  2. CONSENT
    1. Approval of brief of action from Oct. 25, 2023
    2. Acknowledgement of Donation – Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit UTV The Friends of Lapham Peak donated $45,776 in the form of a Kubota UTV and attachments including broom attachment, snowplow, and salter. This donation will be used to maintain the paved, 1.8-mile Plantation Path trail during the winter months at Lapham Peak, located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin
      (Deputy Secretary Little)
    3. Acknowledgement of Donation – National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) donated an outdoor wheelchair valued at $19,500 to Buckhorn State Park in Juneau County, Wisconsin. The outdoor wheelchair will increase accessible opportunities and enhance the overall outdoor recreation experience at the park including access to the park’s beach and four miles of trails
      (Deputy Secretary Little)
    4. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order RR-14-23, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 700, 708, 714, 722, 724, 725, 726, 727, and 749 related to definitions, notifications, fees, agreements, reports, and procedures for interim action and remedial action continuing obligations for environmental contamination
      (Jodie Thistle, Brownfields, Outreach & Policy Section Chief)
    5. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order RR-15-23, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 700, 720, and 722 related to definitions, land use classifications, procedures for identifying environmental standards for soil, and soil cleanup standards used to investigate and remediate environmental contamination
      (Jodie Thistle, Brownfields, Outreach & Policy Section Chief)
    6. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order DG-16-23, for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 809 related to control of lead and copper in public drinking water, to be consistent with revisions to the federal Lead and Copper Rule and the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
      (Ann Hirekatur, Lead & Copper Rule Section Chief)
  3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
  4. ACTION ITEMS
    ADOPTION (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
    1. Request that the board adopt Emergency Board Order FR-06-23(E), proposed rules affecting chapter NR 47 related to federal funding for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
      (Laura Buntrock, Urban Forestry Partnership & Policy Specialist)
    2. Request that the board adopt Board Order FH-13-22, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 19 and 20 related to wild bait harvest regulations
      (Todd Kalish, Fisheries Management Deputy Bureau Director)
    3. Request that the Board adopt Emergency Board Order FH-11-23 (E), proposed rules affecting chs. NR 20 and 25 related to Lake Superior cisco and lake trout regulations
      (Brad Ray, Lake Superior fisheries team supervisor)
    SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
    1. Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order WM-05-23, and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for Board Order number WM-05-23 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 10, related to elk management
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Policy Specialist)
    OTHER APPROVALS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
    1. Presentation of the 2022 Shikar Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year Award
      (Casey Krueger, Chief Conservation Warden)
    2. Land Exchange – Havenwoods Forest Preserve and Nature Center - Milwaukee County
      (James Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
    3. Land Exchange – White River Fishery Area-Bayfield - Bayfield County
      (James Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
    4. Land Sale – Brule River State Forest - Douglas County
      (James Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
    5. Land Acquisition and Monetary Donations – Big Muskego Lake Wildlife Area - Waukesha County
      (James Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
  5. OPEN FORUM (Testimony that pertains to topics not on the meeting agenda or not in litigation) – after items 1-4 or following morning break at approximately 10:15. Please refer to pages 3 and 4 of agenda for required pre-registration information and protocol.
  6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
    1. Lead Service Line Replacements in Wisconsin
      (Steve Elmore, Drinking and Groundwater Bureau Director; Jim Ritchie, Community Financial Assistance Bureau Director)
    2. Preliminary results of the 2023 firearm deer season
      (Jeff Pritzl, Deer Program Specialist)
  7. DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS
    1. Retirement Recognition
      1. James A. Robaidek, Wildlife Management, 36 years
      2. Michael D. Wagner, Air Management, 29 years
    2. Acts of the Department Secretary
      1. Real Estate Transactions
    3. Department Secretary’s Matters
  1. BOARD MEMBERS’ MATTERS
    1. Board Member Matters

The public is welcome to view the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting via YouTube. The NRB also provides opportunities for members of the public to testify and to submit written comment about issues that come before the NRB. See complete information on public participation at Board meetings at http://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/public.html.

The public is encouraged to watch the Board meeting via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjpmqHO32o

The following meeting resources are also available: Agenda Item Packets (also known as green sheet packages are linked to the corresponding item on the website/html meeting agenda at https://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/ – click on the blue “View agendas” button then scroll down), supporting documents, and public comment. 

Live transcription of the webcast is autogenerated and not a legal record of the Board Meeting. The approved Brief of Action and meeting recording constitute the official Board’s minutes.

Public Appearance Protocol: Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In-person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration. You must be pre-registered to testify. Please include your name, daytime phone number, email address, city of residence, agenda item you request to testify on (include topic for item 5-Open Forum), and name of organization you will represent (if none, state “self”). 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. Please review: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB/public.html.

NOTE: The Board welcomes citizen input on matters of natural resources management and Department programs and policies. Comments concerning any individual’s personal information or personal business are not appropriate and will not be allowed.

The time for item 5. – Open Forum - will be after items 1-4 or immediately following morning break at approximately 10:15. If you request to testify during Open Forum, please be ready to speak when the Board takes up this item. Each speaker will have three minutes to give their testimony; however, the Board Chair has final discretion on time limit.

The following is from the Board’s meeting guidelines: Only one speaker per organization. Testimony 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. 

Please contact Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at dnrnrbliaison@wisconsin.gov with NRB-related questions, to request information, submit written comments or to register to testify at a meeting.

Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify and/or written comment is 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 6, 2023.

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.

Natural Resources Board

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