MADISON — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will meet in-person for the August board meeting to consider several proposed rules, hearings, land items and donations.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022, originating from Public Meeting Room G09, at the 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.
The public is encouraged to watch the August board meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel.
The deadline to register for remote public appearance requests and to submit written comments is 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted. In-person pubic appearances are also welcome.
During the August meeting, several items the Board will be considering include:
● Preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order AM-05-22 for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 439 to simplify, reduce, modernize, and make more efficient reporting, recordkeeping, testing, inspection and determination of compliance requirements for sources of air contaminants
● Preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order WW-06-22 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 320, 323, 326, 328, and 329 related to structures in navigable waterways
● Preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order DG-07-22(E) and Board Order DG-08- 22 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice for DG-08-22 and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 812 related to allowing for the use of new cement formulations for the construction of water wells
● Request adoption of Board Order WY-29-19, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 1, 107, 109, 150, 193, 329 and 345, related to aquatic plant management manual removal and mechanical control regulations, aquatic habitat protection, and surface water grants
● Request adoption of amended Board Order WY-23-13, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 102 related to processes for waterbody assessments and impaired waters listing, biological assessment thresholds, biological confirmation of phosphorus impairments, and water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen
● Statement of Scope for Board Order FH-01-22, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 19-26 related to changes to fishing regulations on inland, outlying and boundary waters (the 2023 Fisheries Management Spring Hearings rule)
● Land Acquisition and Monetary Donation — Ice Age Trail — Waukesha County
● Land Acquisition, Partial Donation and Project Boundary Expansion — Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area — Marinette County
The complete August NRB meeting agenda is available on the DNR website here.
In addition to being encouraged to watch the upcoming meeting, there are opportunities for the public to testify and to submit written comments about issues that come before the NRB. More information regarding public participation at Board meetings is available online.
Help benefit Wis. wildlife by completing citizen-science surveys for deer and birds
Deadlines are Aug. 31 and Sept. 30
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking the public’s help in collecting crucial deer and game bird management data.
Starting Aug. 1, the DNR will begin conducting the Operation Deer Watch Survey and the Game Bird Brood Survey.
The surveys are designed to measure the reproductive status for deer and game birds. This is done by establishing a fawn to doe ratio for deer and a poult to hen ratio for game birds. These ratios are then compared to previous years data and tells us how productive this seasons deer herd/game birds are.
Information provided by the public on the distribution and reproductive status when paired with harvest information are the key elements that allow the DNR to make knowledgeable management decisions for these species.
“Wherever you are in Wisconsin, you can help the DNR manage wildlife by collecting data in your neighborhood and submitting it through our app,” said Brian Dhuey, DNR Surveys Coordinator. “Every submission increases our dataset and gives us a clearer picture of how wildlife are doing in Wisconsin. The DNR encourages everyone interested in wildlife, from hunters and trappers to outdoor enthusiasts, to take part.”
The deadline to submit bird observations for the Game Bird Brood survey is Aug. 31. The deadline to submit deer observations for the Operation Deer Watch Survey is Sept. 30.
Participation in both Operation Deer Watch Survey and the Game Bird Brood Survey is simple, requires no registration and can be done using a mobile device. If in a vehicle, participants should only record sightings when their vehicle is stopped, not while driving.
DETAILS
Operation Deer Watch Members of the public can report location, deer type and the number of deer seen from dawn to dusk during the summer months. This information helps to determine the fawn-to-doe ratio and ultimately deer population estimates. More information is available here.
Game Bird Brood Observations Members of the public can collect information on the types and number of game bird broods they observe during the summer months. This information is a basis for monitoring the reproduction of game birds for that breeding year.
More information is available here.
