December 2024 Agenda and Meeting Materials

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. 4, 2024.

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. Written comment is welcome on any agenda item. Public testimony may be accepted on Action Items and Open Forum in accordance with the Board’s public participation guidelines at: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB/public.html.

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

https://youtube.com/live/8SXDrZNmMqw

WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

AMENDED AGENDA

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

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, 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. 11, 2024
2. CONSENT
   1. Approval of brief of action from Oct. 23, 2024
   2. Acceptance of Donation - The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will make two donations: 1) $15,000 for management of northern State Natural Areas (SNAs); and 2) $60,000 in support of the Wisconsin Bat Program
      (Steven Little, Deputy Secretary)
   3. Acknowledgement of Donation – Wyalusing State Park – Project and Maintenance Funding. Mark Tibbits donated $22,800. This donation will be used to fund multiple projects and maintenance services at Wyalusing State Park
      (Steven Little, Deputy Secretary)
   4. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the statement of scope for Board Order WY-09-24, 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 108, 110, and 150, relating to approval requirements for sewerage projects and facilities 
      (Adrian Stocks, Water Quality Bureau Director)
   5. Acknowledgement of Donation – Walworth County Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Walworth County Chapter of Pheasants Forever raised $28,530 to fund a contractor to do brush work at Bloomfield State Habitat Area, which is managed by the Bureau of Wildlife Management
      (Steven Little, Deputy Secretary)
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 approve the Emergency Board Order FH-18-24 (E) for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 20 related to Minocqua Chain walleye harvest regulations
      (Kari Lee-Zimmermann, Fisheries Regulations & Policy Specialist)
   2. Request that the Board adopt WM-18-23, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to the deer management assistance program (DMAP)
      (Haley Frater, DMAP/Private Lands Team Lead, Bureau of Wildlife Management)
   3. Request adoption of Board Order FH-12-23, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 20 and 25 related to Lake Superior cisco and lake trout regulations
      (Brad Ray, Fisheries Northern Team Supervisor)

   SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)

   4. Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order WM-17-24, and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for Board Order number WM-17-24 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to the 2025 Wildlife Management Spring Hearing rule
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Regulations Policy Specialist)

   OTHER APPROVALS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome) 

   5. Land Exchange and Project Boundary Expansion – Radley Creek Fishery Area – Waupaca County
      (James W. Lemke, Real Estate Section Manager)
   6. Land Acquisition – Ice Age Trail – Waupaca County
      (James W. Lemke, Real Estate Section Manager)
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 a.m.
6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. Results from the 10-year (2016-2026) panfish study
      (Alex Latzka Fisheries Biologist - Advanced, Bureau of Fisheries Management)
   2. Presentation on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board
      (Diane Brusoe, Administrator, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Mark E. Cupp, Executive Director, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board)
7. DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS
   1. Retirement Recognition
      1. Jeffrey A. Janvrin, Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 34 years
   2. Acts of the Department Secretary
      1. Real Estate Transactions
   3. Department Secretary’s Matters
8. 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 citizens 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://youtube.com/live/8SXDrZNmMqw

The following meeting resources are also available: Agenda Item Packets (also known as green sheet packages are linked to the corresponding item on the online 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. Written comment is welcome on any agenda item. Public testimony may be accepted on Action Items and Open Forum in accordance with the Board’s public participation guidelines at: 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 the morning break at approximately 10:15 a.m. 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.

Please contact the 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 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024.

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.