May 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, May 15, 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.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlRQRHinV_8

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, May 22, 2024

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 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 following the Agenda Item for Board Members’ Matters, prior to adjournment of the meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, WI, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board may convene in closed session under the authority of s. 19.85(1)(d) of the Wisconsin Statutes for a safety and security briefing.

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 May 22, 2024
2. CONSENT
   1. Approval of brief of actions from April 10, 2024 and May 2, 2024
   2. Acknowledgment of Donation – Fund for Lake Michigan and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin donated $125,000. This donation will be used to support the Coastal Lake Michigan Habitat Restoration Project at Havenwoods State Forest, Kohler-Andrae State Park, Lakeshore State Park and Point Beach State Forest
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   3. Acknowledgment of Donation – Friends of Crex donated $25,000 to support LTE staff time at Crex Meadows
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   4. Acknowledgment of Donation – The Door County Historical Society donated an enhancement and restoration project valued at $150,000.00. This donation will be used to enhance electrical work on the interior of the lighthouse (phase I) at Peninsula State Park.
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   5. Acknowledgement of Donation – The Friends of Interstate Park donated $40,000.00. This donation will be used to reconstruct the Horizon Rock Shelter at Interstate Park for the enjoyment of visitors
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   6. Acknowledgement of Donation – The Friends of Peninsula State Park donated $30,000.00. This donation will be used to fund 1.5 LTE natural resource educator positions and educational programming for the 2024 season
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   7. Acknowledgement of Donation – The Friends of Point Beach State Forest donated a John Deere Utility Task Vehicle valued at approximately $24,000.00. This donation will be used to perform daily operational tasks as well as improve recreational opportunities for visitors at Point Beach State Forest
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   8. Acknowledgement of Donation – The Paul E. Stry Foundation will donate $20,000 to manage State Natural Areas in the greater La Crosse area
      (Steven Little, Department Deputy Secretary)
   9. Acknowledgement of Donation – Friends of Pike Lake State Forest donated an accessible kayak launch valued at approximately $25,000.00. This donation will be used to purchase the prefabricated accessible dock
      (Steven Little, Department 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 adoption of Board Order WA-13-21, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 500, 502, 542 and 544 related to statewide materials recycling and effective recycling programs
      (Kate Strom Hiorns, Recycling and Solid Waste Section Manager)
   OTHER APPROVALS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome) 
   2. Land Donation and Project Boundary Expansion – Richard Bong State Recreation Area – Kenosha County
      (Jim Lemke, Real Estate Section Manager)
   3. Land Donation – Cross Plains State Park – Ice Age National Scenic Reserve – Dane County
      (James 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. Please refer to pages 3 and 4 of the agenda for required pre-registration information and protocol.
6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. Update on Wisconsin’s elk herds and the 2024 elk season quotas
      (Scott Roepke, Area Wildlife Supervisor)
   2. Update on the 2023 CWD season
      (Erin Larson, Deer Herd Health Specialist, Bureau of Wildlife Management)
7. DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS
   1. Retirement Recognition
      1. Amie J. Egstad, Public Safety and Resource Protection, 30 years
      2. Brad Wolbert, Environmental Management, 30 years
      3. Jay Abts, 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlRQRHinV_8

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. 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 the 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 May 15, 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.