Wisconsin DNR News January 15, 2008Survey finds 282 eagles wintering along the Lower Wisconsin River
Hunters donate 400,000 pounds of venison to food pantries
Preservation methods to prevent spread of VHS fish disease
January a great time to take kids fishing
Angler education workshops set
Grants available for nonprofit organizations to promote conservation and recreation
Snowshoe weaving, timber wolf tracking workshops offered
Survey finds 282 eagles wintering along the Lower Wisconsin River
DODGEVILLE, Wis. – A mid-winter aerial survey wildlife biologists conducted last week found 282 bald eagles along the Lower Wisconsin River corridor, according to state Department of Natural Resources.
Agency biologists observed 130 adults and 152 immature birds along the 180 mile survey route running from the Petenwell Dam spanning the Wisconsin River in Adams and Juneau counties to the river’s confluence with the Mississippi River in Crawford County.
The number of eagles observed this year is considerably fewer than the 481 birds counted on the same survey route in 2007, according to Bill Ishmael, DNR wildlife supervisor at Dodgeville. The five year average running from 2003 through 2007 was 340 eagles. There were a record 614 birds observed in the 2004 survey while a low of 117 eagles were counted in 2005.
Ishmael said the number of eagles counted in the survey along the corridor may be less than their actual number in the Lower Wisconsin River watershed.
“We had expected to see large numbers of birds in the river valley this year due to the unusually high numbers of shad (fish prey species) in the river, but long stretches (of the river) were ice covered until just the last few days and reports from the public and DNR staff indicate that eagles were frequent visitors to agricultural areas throughout adjacent counties” looking for food, he said.
Eagle watching in the Lower Wisconsin River valley has become a very popular activity and the number of eagles this year should provide excellent viewing opportunities at many locations along the river as well as farm fields and wetlands, according to the biologist.
Observers counted about 150 bald eagles along the stretch between the Prairie du Sac Dam and Lone Rock, so there should be ample birds in the area for the annual Bald Eagle Days scheduled for Jan. 19 and 20 at Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, noted Ishmael.
Although the general population is doing well, DNR staff have had a monitoring plan in place since the mid-1990s that focuses on documenting eagle deaths in the river valley, said Sean Strom, a DNR wildlife toxicologist based in Madison.
The plan addresses such things as: what procedures staff follow if live, sick eagles are found during the winter; transporting birds, if needed, to a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian; arranging for dead eagles to be necropsied by National Wildlife Health Center in Madison; monitoring roost sites; investigating deaths; sharing information among DNR programs and other state and federal agencies; and getting the word out to the public about the situation.
Strom offered the following guidelines as to what the public can do if they find a sick or dead eagle:
• Don’t attempt to catch a sick bald eagle. Their talons are extremely sharp. If the eagle is dead, use gloves or a shovel to pick-up the bird, and place it in a heavy garbage bag.
• Call your local DNR conservation warden or wildlife biologist. Federal law prohibits the possession of live or sick bald eagles. They must be turned over to authorities within 48 hours.
• Inform authorities of when and where you found the bird, and if found alive, any signs of injury or illness.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Bill Ishmael, wildlife supervisor, Dodgeville, 608-935-1918 or Sean Strom, wildlife toxicologist, Madison, 608-264-6121
Hunters donate 400,000 pounds of venison to food pantries
MADISON – Wisconsin deer hunters responded in a big way to the 2007 Venison Donation Program, delivering and donating 9,200 deer to 126 participating meat processors in 52 Wisconsin counties. After processing, the donations provided over 414,000 pounds of ground venison that was distributed to food pantries throughout the state.
“Since the 2000 fall hunting season, hunters have donated more than 63,200 deer, have provided more than 2.8 million pounds of venison to hungry families in Wisconsin,” said Laurie Fike, venison donation project coordinator. “From conversations I’ve had with similar programs in other states, it’s clear that Wisconsin’s program is second to none.”
The program provides high quality protein to pantry shoppers and provides an outlet for excess venison that hunters, their families or friends and neighbors may not be able to use. Wisconsin hunters embrace a strong ethic against taking game that will not be eaten, say wildlife managers.
The donation program involves many partners in addition to hunters. A large network of volunteers including sports groups, church groups, civic organizations and food pantry staff work together to distribute the meat from the hunter to the processor to the food pantries.
The Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services and county wildlife damage staff help administer the program at state and local levels. Hunt for the Hungry, a private organization located in northeast Wisconsin, is also a strong partner.
Buffalo County hunters donated the most venison this season with 797 donated deer. Trempealeau County wasn’t far behind with 693 donated deer; Waupaca County at 430, Fond du Lac County at 384 and St. Croix County at 368 finished out the top five counties in 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Fike - (608) 26 7-7974
Preservation methods to prevent spread of VHS fish disease
MADISON –Ice anglers now have answers to their questions about preserving dead fish for use as bait to comply with new rules aimed at preventing the spread of a new fish disease.
“If anglers choose to preserve their fish for later use as bait, these new information pieces describe the process,” says Mike Staggs, Wisconsin’s fisheries director. “Don’t freeze or refrigerate the fish but follow one of these preservation methods. “We believe that if you do these things to the dead bait it will be safe to use and you’ll be in compliance with the rules.”
“Fish as Bait” is available on line and at Department of Natural Resources service centers.
VHS, short for viral hemorrhagic septicemia, is not a threat to humans but can cause fish to bleed to death and was diagnosed in several large fish kills in the lower Great Lakes [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/]. VHS was found in spring 2007 in a small number of fish from the Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago systems but has not turned up elsewhere. [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_widistribution.pdf]
VHS rules effective statewide in November 2007 prohibit anglers from moving live fish and water away from any lake or river and limit the use of dead bait fish.
Following is more information directed to anglers who use dead bait fish to fish.
Using dead fish as bait
Rules prohibit using dead bait fish as bait unless they are going to be used on the water body they were harvested from or in Lake Michigan or Green Bay and their connected waters, or if the dead bait fish have been preserved by a method other than freezing or refrigeration.
It’s not illegal for bait dealers to sell frozen or refrigerated bait fish. The responsibility lies with anglers to they are using dead bait fish that have been properly preserved to comply with the VHS rules. So, anglers who buy dead bait should take care to buy bait that won’t require freezing or refrigeration -- or they must preserve the bait themselves at home after buying it.
Anglers who catch smelt or other bait fish with the intent of using it later to fish must preserve those dead fish by methods other than freezing or refrigeration. The same holds true for anglers who, at the end of a day fishing, want to drain the water from their bait bucket and save leftover bait fish to be preserved for use at a later day.
Acceptable preservation methods for dead bait fish
“We know that freezing or refrigeration alone does not deactivate VHS,” says Andy Fayram, the DNR fish biologist monitoring international research on the disease and prevention methods.
So anglers who want to preserve dead fish for use as bait should not freeze or refrigerate the fish, but use one of the following preservation methods.
• Place the dead fish in a sealable container and fill it with enough rubbing alcohol, 140 proof alcohol, or mineral oil to cover the fish, and store it in the liquid for 14 days before using. Scent such as garlic salt or a commercial attractant can be added to the container to give bait added flavor and odor.
• Use a dry mix of 2 pounds of non-iodized salt and ½ cup Borax and thoroughly cover the bait fish in the mixture and store until they’re thoroughly dry, at least 14 days. Place them in a clean salt/Borax mix for long storage.
• Expose the dead fish to 125 Fahrenheit fish for 10 minutes.
• Step-by-step instructions for each method are found on “Preservation Methods for Dead Bait.” [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/vhs_preservation.html].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Staggs (608) 267-0796 or Andy Fayram (608) 266-5250
[EDITOR’S NOTE: a previous press release addressed the use of live bait [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=97#art3].
January is a great time to take kids fishing
Fishing clinics, web sites, other resources help get them outside
MADISON – Kids going stir crazy this winter?
Ice fishing may be just the ticket to get them – and you -- out of the house and hooked on a fantastic lifelong recreation.
Now’s a great time to get started: ice fishing clinics for kids are on tap in many communities in coming weeks. They present a great introduction to ice fishing and usually require only that kids and their parents come dressed in warm clothes and ready to have fun, says Matt Coffaro, Department of Natural Resources urban fish biologist.
For ice anglers who have their own equipment, January is also a great time for fishing because the panfish are biting and the ice is typically in the best condition and able to support ice skating, hockey and other activities that can entertain youngsters while they’re waiting for that tip-up flag to fly.
Skip Sommerfeldt, a DNR fish biologist and avid ice angler, started getting his three daughters involved in fishing when they were about 5- to 6-years-old. “I try to get them out as often as I can -- and as often as they like to come along,” he says.
“I don't force my kids to go fishing but let them decide when they want to come along. The main thing is that it gets them away from TV and video games and gets them outside getting exercise and fresh air. It’s just a good outside family activity.”
Sommerfeldt has learned that fishing trips with tip-ups are usually more successful with his daughters than with those spent watching a hole.
“With tip ups, they don't have to sit in one place and watch for a bobber to go down,” he says. “They run around, build forts in the snow, slide on a little hill down to the lake, build snowmen -- and then come running to catch a fish when a flag pops up.”
Find more of Sommerfeldt’s kid-tested tips on this Wisconsin fishing pages of the DNR Web site: [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/faq/icefis.htm].
DNR has a wealth of information on how to making an ice fishing outing fun and successful for kids, including a video showing kids ice fishing. There’s even a coloring book or a “Junior Angler” handbook with activities that can be downloaded and used inside on really cold days to generate excitement for ice fishing when the weather warms up a little.
Before heading out onto early or newly formed ice, recreational safety specialists recommend that people check with a local bait shop, resort owner, or outdoors store regarding ice thickness or known thin spots.
Hook into a local ice fishing clinic
Check the outdoors listings in your local paper for ice fishing clinics offered by local fishing clubs. In Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, head out to the 17th annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Clinic on Feb. 2 at six park ponds and lagoons in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The clinics are a cooperative effort of the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Milwaukee and Waukesha County Parks, the Milwaukee County House of Correction Fish Hatchery, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Volunteers provide instruction on the proper use of equipment and techniques, knot tying, safety and much more. Clinics last about 45 minutes and begin every hour on the hour starting at 9 a.m., with the last one starting at 2 p.m. If the weather and ice conditions allow, kids will be able to fish after receiving the classroom instruction. No pre-registration is necessary. Equipment and snacks will be provided and it’s all free! Just dress warm! For more information and park locations call the DNR Urban Fishing Hotline at (414) 263-8494 or, DNR Urban Fish Biologist, Matt Coffaro at (414) 263-8614.
Find “Everything you need to know about ice fishing” on DNR’s EEK! Web site
EEK!, DNR’s award winning Environmental Education for Kids Web site, features comprehensive, kid-friendly explanations, photos, a video and other great resources. There’s even a link that lets kids share their favorite ice fishing stories [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/icefish.htm] with the millions of kids and adults who visit the Web site every year.
Follow links from DNR ice fishing Web pages
The Ice Fishing in Wisconsin Web pages [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/faq/icefis.htm] are loaded with ice fishing information for all ages. Find links to fishing reports, biologists’ lists of hot fishing spots, fishing regulations, and links to other articles on ice fishing.
Download Junior Anglers guide and fish coloring books for inside fun and learning
When the weather keeps all but the hardiest youngsters inside, explore the DNR angler education materials [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/kidsparents/anglereducation/teaching.html] for lessons and activities about Wisconsin’s fish and aquatic resources. They’ll be ready to go when nicer weather arrives.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Stabo (608) 266-2272; Rachel Piacenza (608) 261-6431
Angler education workshops set for Jan. 30 and Feb. 2
MADISON – Fly fishers and other anglers can help get kids off the couch and out fishing Wisconsin’s lakes and streams by attending workshops Jan. 30 and Feb. 2 on starting youth fishing programs.
Department of Natural Resources angler education workshops set for Jan. 30 in Oshkosh and Feb. 2 in Stevens Point are aimed at training volunteer instructors who can then offer programs in their own communities. Participants will hear how to introduce children to basic fishing skills and provide information on Wisconsin lakes and streams, says Theresa Stabo, DNR aquatic resources educator. Participants also receive instructional materials to help them start their own program, and access to DNR loaner equipment.
“We need to coax kids outside and away from their electronic gadgets. We need to help them that important connection to the natural world,” Stabo says. “Through the DNR's angler education fishing program, we want kids to think of wetting a line as a viable choice for spending their free time and to cultivate a passion for protecting fisheries and other aquatic resources.”
Fishing programs provide a recreational link to learning about local waters. Ideally, adults who attend this workshop will form partnerships to help provide kids with repeatable fishing opportunities through school studies and clubs, Stabo says.
The Feb. 2 workshop is a fly fishing instructor certification session and represents a partnership with Trout Unlimited. Stabo will be joined as an instructor by Dennis Vanden Bloomen, UW-Stout fly fishing instructor and president of the Wisconsin Clear Waters Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Details on the two workshops are provided below. The workshops are free of charge and include lunch or dinner, however, there is a $15 workshop commitment fee to ensure good attendance by registrants. Registration forms and more information is available online. [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/kidsparents/anglereducation/workshopschedule.html]
• Jan. 30, Oshkosh, Angler Education Workshop runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DNR Service Center, 625 E. County Highway Y, Suite 700.
• Feb. 2, Stevens Point, Fly Fishing Instructor Certification Workshop runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 1001 Amber Ave. Banquet dinner to follow, compliments of Trout Unlimited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Stabo (608) 266-2272; Rachel Piacenza (608) 261-6431
Grants available for urban land, water and forest conservation and recreation
MADISON – Local units of government and nonprofit organizations have until Feb. 9, 2008 to apply for cost sharing grants for projects that conserve natural resources or provide recreational opportunities in urban areas.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund bi-annually offers four individual Capacity Grants to nonprofit organizations to build the capacity of local units of government and non-profit conservation organizations to achieve the goals of the Stewardship program. Grants are awarded in four areas to: build the capacity of public and private organizations working in urban areas to conserve resources and increase recreational opportunities ($75,000); promote the Ice Age Trail ($75,000); provide technical assistance to non-profit organizations acquiring land of statewide or regional significance($150,000); and build support for and resources to manage State Natural Areas ($85,000).
Applications for grants will be evaluated on how the projects: create statewide opportunities for networking, training and collaboration; provide technical assistance to the applicant; provide annual training and/or conferences on topics that assist in meeting the goals; and include information to report progress on grant funded activities.
Applications are due Feb, 9, 2008 and successful recipients will notified by March 12, 2008. Grant awards will be issued as soon as the required match has been documented to the satisfaction of the Department.
Application materials are available on the Bureau of Community Financial Assistance pages of the Department of Natural Resources Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/LR/Stewardship/NCO/nonprofit.html].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Wright - (608) 266-0868
Snowshoe weaving, timber wolf tracking workshops offered
BABCOCK, Wis. – People interested in building their own snowshoes or learning about the ecology of gray wolves in Wisconsin as well as how to track wolves can participate in upcoming workshops scheduled at the Department of Natural Resources Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center.
Snowshoe weaving
Snowshoeing as a form of outdoor recreation has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. People can join the craze by weaving a pair of their own traditional snowshoes. A two-day snowshoe construction workshop will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2.
Participants must select from two basic snowshoe types: Alaskan or Ojibway styles. Kits include wooden frame and nylon lacing, plus instructions. Instructors will be on hand to guide participants through the process.
Registration is limited on a first-come, first-served basis so mail in your registration fee by Feb. 8. The $165 fee includes the snowshoe kit (wooden frame, lacing and written instructions), bindings, instruction, Saturday evening supper and Sunday breakfast, plus the Saturday-night dorm lodging. Skills Center staff will contact participants upon receipt of registration with information on selecting snowshoes (Alaskan or Ojibway) so that they can order and receive them in time for the workshop.
Timber wolf ecology and tracking
The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center and Timber Wolf Information Network are co-sponsoring a Timber Wolf Ecology Clinic on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16-17 from 9 a.m. Saturday to noon on Sunday.
Area biologists and volunteers from Timber Wolf Information Network will team up to provide instruction on aspects of wolf ecology, including status, population biology and field study techniques. Saturday afternoon will be spent outdoors exploring wolf habitat.
Registration is limited to 25 people ages 12 and up on a first-come, first-served basis. Register by mailing in $75 per person by Feb. 6. This fee includes instructional fees, transportation on Saturday afternoon, Saturday supper and Sunday lunch, and for dorm use.
People my register for either workshop by sending a check made out to DNR-Skills Center. Include the name of each participant, and the address and daytime phone number of one person in each party. Participants in either workshop may stay in the dorm prior to or following either event for an additional donation of $15 per person per night.
Send registration information and fees to: Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, PO Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413. Inquiries on the status of registrations may be sent via e-mail to: <Richard.Thiel@dnr.state.wi.us>.
The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center is located 20 miles west of Wisconsin Rapids on County Highway X, 1 mile north of Highway 80 near Babcock, Wisconsin on the 9,000 acre Department of Natural Resources Sandhill Wildlife Area. More information on the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center can be found on the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/reclands/sandhill].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandhill Skills Center at: (715) 884-6333 or (715) 884-2437
OUTDOORS CALENDAR
*Indicates date remains the same each year, except some permit deadlines may be extended one day if they fall on a Sunday or Federal Holiday.
September 15 through First Saturday in May
• From Sept. 15 through the first Saturday in May, hook and line fishing is prohibited from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in all Lake Michigan tributaries except the Oconto River and its tributaries and the downstream portion of the Peshtigo River (see regulations for details).*
January 19
• Winter crow season opens, through March 20.
January 31
• Squirrel season closes.*
• Raccoon season closes*
• Ruffed grouse seasons closes in zone A (northern zone).*
February 15
• Coyote trapping season closes.*
• Red and gray fox gun and trapping seasons close.*
February 9
• Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing Season opens. Season runs for 16 days or until the harvest level is reached. Season hours are 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily. The season will close after one day if one of the harvest caps is reached. Sturgeon must be registered by 1:30 p.m. the day they are harvested. There are separate, annual spearing seasons for Lake Winnebago and for the system’s upriver lakes of Butte des Mort, Winneconne and Poygan. Previously the Upriver Season occurred only once every five years but was open to anyone who wanted to participate in it and bought a license. Spearers who wanted to participate in the Upriver Lakes season had to submit an application by Aug. 1, 2007. Licenses for the upcoming season must have been purchased by Oct. 31 of the previous year.
February 20
• Ice fishing shelters must be removed from Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters.*
February 24
• Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season closes unless season is closed earlier due to spearers reaching harvest caps.
February 28
• Cottontail rabbit season closes in northern and southern zones.*
• Mink trapping season closes in the northern, central and southern zones.
DNR Public Hearings and Meetings
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call the contact person listed for the meeting or hearing with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Hearings
January 15, 17, 25 & 28 - Pursuant to §§ 227.11(2), 281.15, 283.13 and 283.17, Stats., interpreting §§ 281.15, 283.13 and 283.17, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on the repeal of ch. NR 209, revisions to ch. NR 102 and the creation of subchs. V and VI to ch. NR 106, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to thermal standards for Wisconsin surface waters. The proposed rule will establish water quality standards for temperature (in ch. NR 102) and procedures to calculate water quality-based effluent limitations (in ch. NR 106) to regulate the discharge of heated wastewater to prevent adverse impacts to fish and other aquatic life. Two new subchapters will be created in ch. NR 106: subch. V entitled Effluent Limitations for Temperature and subch. VI entitled Alternative Effluent Limitations for Temperature. Subchapter V specifies data requirements, variance procedures, methods for determining the necessity for and calculation of water quality-based effluent limitations, application of and compliance with the limitations in WPDES permits, and other related limitation and permitting issues. As a primary means of assuring the limitations are water quality-based, the proposed rule takes into account the ambient temperature and flow of a receiving water in the calculation of effluent limitations. The effluent limitation calculation incorporates a mass balance equation, making it equivalent to other codified limit calculation procedures. The mass balance approach enables the determination of the amount of heat that a receiving water can assimilate without adversely affecting fish and aquatic life. Supplemental limits, including those of 120°F to prevent incidental injury (scalding) to humans and of 95°F to protect wetlands, ephemeral streams, and other limited aquatic life waterbodies, are also proposed. Additionally a “cap limit” is to be applied simultaneously with the calculated limit to prevent excessive acute mixing zones. Subchapter VI specifies procedures to determining alternative effluent limitations that may be established for point source discharges with limitations calculated under subch. V that are demonstrated to be more stringent than necessary to assure the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge is made. The subchapter includes application, compliance schedule and public notice procedures, among others. Subchapter VI replaces ch. NR 209 which is proposed to be repealed. The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted at the following Internet site:
http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Michael Wenholz, Bureau of Watershed Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until Feb. 28, 2008. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings. More information or a copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Wenholz. The hearings will be held:
January 15, Eau Claire - 1 p.m. in Room 158, DNR Region Hdqrs., 1300 W. Clairemont Ave.,
January 17, Waukesha - 1 p.m. in Room 151, Dreyfus State Office Building, 141 NW Barstow St.,
January 25, Madison - 1 p.m. in Room G09, GEF #2 State Office Bldg., 101 S. Webster St.,
January 28, Green Bay - 1 p.m. in the Lake Michigan Room, DNR Northeast Region Hdqrs., 2984 Shawano Ave.
January 15, 16 &17 - Pursuant to §§ 30.20(1), (1k), (1t) and (2), 30.206 and 227.11(2), Stats., interpreting §§ 30.20(1), (1g), (1k), (1m), (1t) and (2) and 30.206, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on revisions to ch. NR 345, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to general permit standards to allow operation of a motor vehicle on the beds of outlying waters to remove algae, mussels, dead fish and similar large public nuisance deposits and for the removal and control of invasive plants on exposed lakebeds. The operation of motor vehicles and the removal or disturbance of materials on the beds of navigable waterways (also known as dredging) is regulated by ch. 30, Stats., and ch. NR 345. The statutes and current rule allow lakefront property owners to apply for an individual permit to use mechanized methods to remove nuisance deposits or other invasive or unwanted vegetation. However, individual permits require a $500 application fee and a 30-day public comment period before the permit can be issued. Considering the changing lakeshore due to decreased water levels and the abundance of invasive species, the department proposes to revise ch. NR 345 to create two new general permits. The general permits would allow lakefront property owners to operate motor vehicles on the beds of “outlying” navigable waters to remove public nuisance deposits (Cladophora, Zebra mussels, dead fish, etc.) and to control and manage invasive vegetation on exposed lakebed more efficiently while complying with general permit conditions created to protect the public interest in the lakebed. The general permit has a $50 application fee and is processed in 30 days. Pursuant to § 227.114, Stats., the proposed rules may have an impact on small businesses including contractors, developers and consultants who provide plans or design for projects along public navigable waterways which may include the removal of unwanted aquatic plants and dead animals from shoreline as well as participating in invasive species control and management. The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Web site:
http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov or to MartinP.Griffin@Wisconsin.gov. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Martin Griffin, Bureau of Watershed Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until Jan. 21, 2008. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings. More information or a copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Griffin at the above address or at - (608) 266-0842. The hearings will be held:
January 15, Waukesha - 10 a.m. in Room 151, Dreyfus State Office Building, 141 NW Barstow St.
January 16, Green Bay - 10 a.m. in Lake Michigan Room, DNR Northeast Region Hdqrs., 2984 Shawano Ave.
January 17, Video conference participation will be available at 10 a.m. in:
Ashland - Room 306, Conference Center, Wis. Indianhead Tech. College, 2100 Beaser Ave.
Marinette - Room L130, UW Center – Marinette, 750 W. Bay Shore St.
Superior - Large Conference Room, DOT Superior-District 8, 1701 N. 4th St.
January 16 – A public hearing on revision to an air pollution control permit No. 03-RV-248-R3.for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation - Weston Plant located at 2501 Morrison Avenue, Rothschild, Marathon County, Wisconsin, will be held at 1 p.m. in the Rib Mountain Town Hall, 3700 N. Mountain Road, Wausau. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation submitted to the Department of Natural Resources a request to revise air pollution control permit which was issued on October 19, 2004. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation - Weston Plant has requested that the permit be revised to clarify a series of requirements in the permit, revise record keeping procedures and add two small natural gas fired space heaters. The Central Office of the DNR has analyzed this material and has preliminarily determined that the project should meet applicable criteria for permit approval as stated in ss. 285.63 and 285.64, Wis. Stats. and should, therefore, be approved. This preliminary approval does not constitute approval from the Air Management Program or other DNR sections which may also require review. Written comments from the public regarding the proposed permit revisions will be considered in the DNR’s final decision regarding this proposal. Information, including plans and the DNR's analysis regarding this proposal, is available for public inspection on the Air Permit page of the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/permits/APM_toc.htm] and at the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Air Management, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, WI 53707. Interested persons wishing to comment on the preliminary determination should submit written comments to: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Central Office, 101 S. Webster Street, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. Attn.: Steven Dunn.
January 17 A telephone prehearing conference in the matter of the petition of United Liquid Waste Recycling, Inc. for review of WPDES Permit No. WI-0061514-02 will be held at 10 a.m. originating from the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865 with 5005 University Avenue, Suite 201, Madison. Any person, organization or governmental unit wishing to become a party to this proceeding must appear at the conference in person or by an authorized representative. No testimony will be heard at the prehearing conference; however, a date may be set for the hearing on the merits at the conference. The Department of Natural Resources issued WPDES Permit No. WI-0061514-02-0 on Oct. 3, 2007, to regulate the discharges associated with the operations of United Liquid Waste Recycling, Inc.’s storage and treatment facility and land application activities. The subject facility is located at N2797 State Highway 26 in the Town of Clyman, Dodge County, Wisconsin and discharges into the groundwater of the Rock River Basin. The department received a petition for Contested Case Hearing to review the reasonableness of and necessity for certain terms in the permit. When the hearing is held it will be a Class 1 contested case pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.01(3)(a). For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
January 17 - A public hearing pursuant to §§ 285.13(1) and 285.61(7), Wis. Stats. to receive public comments on the proposed Air Pollution Control Construction Permit No. 07-SDD-247 and Air Pollution Control Operation Permit No. 241007690-P11 for Wisconsin WE Energies, Oak Creek Station, 11060 S. Chicago, Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin will be held at 1 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Oak Creek City Hall, 8640 South Howell Ave., Oak Creek. WE Energies submitted to the Department of Natural Resources a permit application, including plans and specifications for construction and operation of material storage piles and material storage vessels. DNR has made a preliminary determination that the application meets state and federal air pollution control requirements and that the permit should be approved. The permit application, the DNR’s analysis and draft permit prepared by the DNR may be reviewed on the Air Permit page of the DNR Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/air/permitzip/APM_toc.htm.] or at the DNR Air Management Headquarters, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster St., Madison; DNR Southeast Region Headquarters, 2300 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee; and at the Oak Creek Public Library, 8620 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek, or by contacting Steven Dunn at (608) 267-0566 or by e-mail at Steven.Dunn@wisconsin.gov. Written comments on the application or DNR’s review may be submitted by Jan. 18, 2008 to: Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. Attn.: Steven Dunn. For more information contact Steven Dunn at (608) 267-0566.
Meetings
January 15, 16 & 17 – Public information meetings on a proposal to slow the spread of invasive species into Wisconsin will be held around the state. The proposal classifies invasive species of plants, animals and nonagricultural plant pests into four different categories, two of which would be regulated and two which would not. The two regulated categories – prohibited and restricted – would make it illegal to import and export these species, buy, plant or release them. The informational meetings will offer a chance for the broader public to learn more about the classification system proposal, developed to reflect the recommendations of the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species. These public input sessions are also aimed at providing the DNR with feedback to help further shape the proposal before it seeks permission from its policymaking board to conduct formal public hearings. For information contact Tom Boos (608) 266-9276 or Kelly Kearns (608) 267-5066. The meetings will all begin at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates at the locations listed:
January 15, Milwaukee - Governor's Room, Tommy Thompson Youth Center (Gate 5) Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 South 84th St.
January 16, Green Bay - Brown Co. Central Library, 515 Pine St.
January 17, La Crosse - La Crosse Central High School, Commons (Room 126), 1801 Losey S. Blvd.
January 15 - The Accumulated Sediment Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 .p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room of the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) building, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison. The TAC will discuss draft rule language to support the proposed self implementing, risk based approach to sediment management; further discus appropriate sampling, recordkeeping and when targeted use of DNR staff would be needed. For more information contact Tom Portle at (608) 267-0877.
January 16 – The DNR PM2.5 Workgroup will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 713 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss implementation of the PM2.5 rule including compliance demonstration, emission factors, modeling and NSR implementation. For information contact Gail Good at (608) 267-0803.
January 17 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming – Technical Advisory Group will be having a conference call meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon in room 724 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. The agenda includes a review of the ICF proposal for including the 2007 Federal Energy Bill policies in the reference case. For more information, or if you need special accommodations to attend this meeting, contact Nick Sayen, DNR, at (608) 267-2466 or nick.sayen@wisconsin.gov.
January 17 – The DNR Southeast Region Land Use Team will meet at 2 p.m. at the DNR Southeast Region Headquarters, 2300 N Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Milwaukee, regarding development of the Environmental Corridor Ovation award. For more information, contact Mike Thompson at (414) 263-8648.
January 22-23 - The State Natural Resources Board [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/agenda/index.html] will meet in Room G09, of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. For information contact Laurie J. Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
January 23 - The first public meeting for the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) will be held in the Board Room at the Grand Chute Town Hall in Grand Chute. There will be two available sessions to attend: 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m.. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the TMDL development process and proposed water quality targets for the Lower Fox River and Green Bay TMDL. There will be a short formal presentation, followed by an open house for people to ask questions. The public will have 30 days following the meeting to comment on the scope of work and water quality targets being considered for the TMDL. For more information, please contact Nicki Richmond at (608)-266-0152 or nicole.richmond@wisconsin.gov.
January 23 - The DNR Migratory Game Bird Committee will be having a meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Comfort Suites Hotel, N5780 Kinney Road, Hwy 78 South, Portage. The group will discuss mourning dove management and wetlands management, among other topics. For more information, please contact Kim Benton, DNR Assistant Migratory Game Bird Ecologist, at (608) 261-6458.
January 23 – Milwaukee River Revitalization Council Meeting 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Mequon Nature Preserve, Mequon. Agenda includes: Milwaukee Regional Partnership Initiative/MRRC Cooperation; Kinnickinnic River Remediation Projects, & Kinnickinnic River Sediment Cleanup. For more information, contact Matthew Aho at (414)-263-8586.
January 28 - The Mid-Kettle Moraine Partners Group will meet from 9 a.m. until noon at the Village of Slinger Community Hall, 300 Slinger Road, Slinger. The Mid-Kettle Moraine Partners Group is a group of individuals representing governments, private nonprofit conservation agencies and others interested in the Mid-Kettle Moraine. The purpose of the meeting will be to continue to discuss activities related to the Partners Group education and outreach activities and to share information on members activities. For additional information please contact Paulette Harder at (414) 263-8525 or (262) 255-0227
February 1 – The Phosphorus Criteria Advisory Committee will meet for its first time from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. The purpose of the meeting is to advise the Department on promulgating phosphorus criteria for water quality standards that will apply to Wisconsin lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers. Development of these criteria is required by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information, please contact Jim Baumann (608) 266-9277.
Wisconsin DNR News
Edited by Paul Holtan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail: paul.holtan@dnr.state.wi.us
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/
