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May 2021 Agenda and Meeting Materials

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board

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, May 19, 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/RVBmhSrc7s8

After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand at
Meeting Webcasts

WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

A G E N D A

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

Wednesday, May 26, 2020

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board virtual meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 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 May 26, 2021
  2. CONSENT
    1. Approval of brief of action from April 14, 2021
    2. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians will donate equipment and service totaling $138,000. This donation will be used to install the Peshtigo and Milwaukee River PIT tag antenna system.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
    3. The Dane County Conservation League (DCCL) will donate $25,725 to support several critical grassland habitat management projects on DCCL-owned land within the Buena Vista Wildlife Area (BVWA). The donation will also support hiring a student intern and the purchase of rubber tracks for a DNR Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), which will further facilitate the important work of conserving and managing public grasslands in central Wisconsin.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
    4. The Friends of Rock Island State Park will donate $25,000 to be used to help fund the inspection and potential repairs of the dock at Rock Island State Park.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
    5. The Heritage Hill Corporation will donate $20,000 in the form of a sculpture entitled “Voyagers” at Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Brown County, WI
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
    6. The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will donate $15,444. This donation will be used to support the Wisconsin Endangered Resources fund that manages, conserves and monitors endangered species on state natural areas.
      (DNR Secretary Preston Cole)
    7. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing for the revised 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)
    8. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order DG-22-20 for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 811 to update, correct and clarify existing code requirements and add requirements for new technologies related to community drinking water system sources, source water quality, storage, treatment, and distribution.
      (Steven Elmore, Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau Director)
  3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA - None
  4. ACTION ITEMS
    ADOPTION (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
    SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
    HEARING AUTHORIZATION (Written Comment Welcome)
    MISCELLANEOUS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)
    1. Request that the Board adopt Board Order AM-20-18, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 400, 419, 421, 422, 423, 425, 439, and 484, related to implementing reasonably available control technology (RACT) to limit volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from miscellaneous metal and plastic parts coatings and miscellaneous industrial adhesives.
      (Gail Good, Air Management Program Director)
    2. Tabled at the April 14, 2021 Meeting: Request approval of the 2021-2031 Elk Management Plan
      (Scott Roepke, Wildlife Biologist)
    3. Request adoption of Board Order WM-34-19, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to elk management
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Policy Specialist)
    4. Elk herd update and approval of the 2021 elk season quotas.
      (Scott Roepke, Wildlife Biologist )
    5. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order FH-29-20(E) and Board Order FH-30-20 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for FH-30-20 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 20 related to lake trout season and harvest in Lake Michigan
      (Bradley Eggold, Great Lakes District fisheries supervisor)
    6. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order FH-15-20 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 20 to 23 and 26 related to reorganizing Wisconsin boundary waters fishing regulations.
      (Meredith Penthorn, Fisheries Management policy specialist)
    7. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order FH-16-20 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 25 related to reorganizing commercial fishing and wholesale fish dealer regulations.
      (Meredith Penthorn, Fisheries Management policy specialist)
    8. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order DG-25-20, for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 140 related to setting numerical standards to minimize the concentration of polluting substances in groundwater
      (Bruce Rheineck, Groundwater Section Chief)
    9. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order DG-31-20, for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 809 related to the promulgation of new drinking water maximum contaminant levels for 12 additional Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and combined standards for 4 PFAS.
      (Adam DeWeese, Public Water Supply Section Chief)
    10. Request approval of Wisconsin’s Sturgeon Management Plan
      (Brad Eggold, Great Lakes District Fisheries Supervisor) (Moved from the 4/14/21 agenda)
    11. Request approval of Blue Mound State Park Master Plan
      Blue Mound State Park Master Plan
      (Phil Rynish, Property Planning Section Chief)
      1. Land Sale – Northern Highland State Forest – Vilas County
      2. Land Exchange – Northern Highland State Forest – Vilas County
        (Jim Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
      1. Land Acquisition – Van Loon Wildlife Area – La Crosse County
      2. Land Acquisition – Pike Wild River – Marinette County
        (Jim Lemke, Real Estate Section Chief)
    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.
  5. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
    1. DNR COVID-19 Update
      (Todd Ambs, DNR Deputy Secretary)
    2. Update on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Response Plan Implementation, 2020 CWD su rveillance plan, and review of 2020 TB surveillance
      (Amanda Kamps, Wildlife Health Conservation Specialist)
  6. DEPARTMENTS SECRETARY'S MATTERS
    1. Retirement Recognition - Action
      1. Meja L. Maka, Community Financial Assistance, 35 years
      2. Lynne B. Tomlinson, Facilities and Lands, 24 years
      3. Michael T. Zeckmeister, Wildlife 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
      3. Planning Status Update - None
  7. 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/RVBmhSrc7s8

After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand at
Meeting 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, May 19, 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.