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
* Meetings
Hearings
* February 25 - A public informational hearing for the purpose of giving all interested persons an opportunity to make a statement with respect to the proposed reissuance of Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Permit No.WI-0020745-8 for the Algoma Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 179 N. 6th St., Algoma will be held at 1 p.m. at the Kewaunee Administration Center, 810 Lincoln Street, Kewaunee. Discharge is to the Ahnapee River in Kewaunee County. The City of Algoma owns and operates a wastewater treatment facility that receives domestic wastewater as well as waste loads from three industries. The facility is designed to treat an annual average flow of 1.0 million gallons per day (MGD) and currently discharges 0.48 MGD on average. Treatment is provided by an activated sludge process followed by tertiary filtration. Phosphorus removal by alum addition and year round disinfection by ultraviolet radiation are also provided. Sludge is anaerobically digested and stored on-site until land applied. People wishing to comment on or object to the proposed permit action are invited to do so by attending the public hearing or by submitting any comments or objections in writing to the Department of Natural Resources. More information, including a copy of the proposed permit, is available for downloading at the WPDES Public Notices Web page. and for inspection at the Department of Natural Resources, Northeast Regional Headquarters, 2984 Shawano Ave., PO Box 10448, Green Bay, WI 54307-0448; or contact Richard Sachs at (920) 662-5176, or by e-mail at richard.sachs@wisconin.gov.
* February 27 - A contested case hearing in the matter of the application for an expansion of a loading apron on Lake Michigan by Washington Island Ferry Line, Inc., Town of Liberty Grove, Door County, has been rescheduled to April 8-9. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
* March 12 - Pursuant to §§ 23.09(2) and 227.11(2)(a), Stats., interpreting § 23.09(2), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to ch. NR 58, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the implementation and administration of grants for endangered resources at 4 p.m. in Room 613, of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. The Department is revising ch. NR 58, the Endangered Resources Small Grants administrative rule, to add provisions establishing a grant program to provide financial assistance to the public, nongovernmental organizations, and public agencies to protect species of greatest conservation need and their habitat. The State Wildlife Grants Program, funded through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will provide funding for projects that protect species of greatest conservation need and their habitat, and that implement the Wildlife Action Plan. The ultimate goal of the program is to prevent the decline of wildlife species to a point where they are endangered. Projects funded by this grant program will also help protect and restore important land and water resources, allow for the collection and evaluation of information necessary to be able to determine which wildlife species are in trouble, and support efforts to establish and maintain partnerships. By emphasizing a proactive approach, the State Wildlife Grants Program supports efforts to take action to protect declining wildlife species before they become too rare and costly to protect. The new program will provide a 50 to 100 percent cost share to agencies, landowners and organizations who meet the criteria of the program. The department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department’s consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives. The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Web site: [http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov]. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Ms. Heidi Nelson, Bureau of Endangered Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until March 19, 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. A personal copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Ms. Nelson. For information call Heidi Nelson at (608) 267 0797.
* March 12, 13 & 14 - Pursuant to §§ 29.014, 29.041 and 29.192(3), Stats., interpreting §§ 23.09(2)(intro.), 29.014(1), 29.041 and 227.11(2)(a), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on revisions to chs. NR 20 and 21, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to hook and line harvest of lake sturgeon. The proposed rule change would increase the minimum length limit of lake sturgeon from its current 50” limit to a 60” limit and reduce the season length from 6 weeks to 4 weeks on all inland waters where lake sturgeon are now harvested and the lower St. Croix River on the Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters. The regulation change would significantly reduce the number of lake sturgeon harvested each year (up to 80 percent). The rule change would likely affect sturgeon anglers’ (both resident and nonresident) opportunities to harvest a fish, but will ultimately provide protection of Wisconsin’s sturgeon populations. The department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department’s consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives. 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 Karl Scheidegger, Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until March 14, 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 Karl Scheidegger at (608) 267-9426. The hearings will all be held at 3 p.m. on the following dates at the locations listed:
o March 12, Park Falls - Conference Room, DNR Office, 875 South 4th Ave.
o March 13, Eau Claire - Conference Room, DNR Office, 1300 W. Clairemont Ave.
o March 14, Madison - Room G09, GEF #2 State Office Building, 101 S. Webster St.
* March 13 - Pursuant to §§ 285.13(1) and 285.61(7), Wis. Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to receive public comments on proposed permits for operation of a Murphy Oil USA, Inc., petroleum refinery located 2407 Stinson Ave, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, at 1:30 p.m. at DNR Superior Service Center, 1401 Tower Ave., Superior. Murphy Oil submitted to the DNR permit applications (numbers 07-SDD-243, 07-SDD-246 and 816009590 – P03), including plans and specifications for construction of small fugitive emission sources such as valves and to amend a past permit to conform the permit to the “as built” equipment and operation of a petroleum refinery. DNR staff 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 and the DNR’s analysis and draft permit may be reviewed on the Air Permit Page of the DNR Web site at or at the DNR Bureau of Air Management, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster St., Madison; Northern Region Air Program, Superior Area Office, 1401 Tower Avenue, Superior,; and at the Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Ave., Superior, 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 should be sent by March 13, 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.
* April 8-97 - A contested case hearing in the matter of the application for an expansion of a loading apron on Lake Michigan by Washington Island Ferry Line, Inc., Town of Liberty Grove, Door County, Wisconsin will commence at 9 a.m. in the Jane Greene Room of the Door County Library, 107 South 4th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
* April 14 – The Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings and Conservation Congress County Meetings will be held in each county of the state beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting are held to gather public opinion on proposed changes to fisheries and wildlife management rules of both statewide and local interest and to provide a forum for the public to recommend rule changes for future consideration. Results of the hearings are not binding, but are forward to the state Natural Resources Board for their consideration in adopting rule changes. For information contact Kari Lee Zimmerman at 608-266-2952.
* May 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 - A contested case hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. - 227.44(4)(b) in the matter of the petition of United Liquid Waste Recycling, Inc. for review of WPDES Permit No. WI-0061514-02-0 will commence on the following dates and time at the Watertown Senior and Community Center, 514 South First Street, Watertown. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
o May 1, 9:30 a.m. - Wisconsin and Brandenstein Rooms
o May 2, 9 a.m. - Wisconsin and Brandenstein Rooms
o May 5 & 6, 9 a.m. - Terrace Room
o May 7, 12:30 p.m. - Wisconsin and Brandenstein Rooms with an evening public comment portion commencing at 7 p.m.
o May 8 & 9, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Wisconsin and Brandenstein Rooms
Meetings
* Wisconsin Conservation Congress public meeting notices
* February 25 – A meeting to discuss citizen recommendations aimed at improving waterfowl management and the quality of waterfowl hunting on the George W. Mead Wildlife Area in central Wisconsin will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the new Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center located on the Mead Wildlife Are, seven miles north Milladore at S2148 County Highway S. Waterfowl hunters and other interested individuals will have an opportunity to review and discuss changes to the waterfowl harvest and refuge management program that were recommended at a public meeting held in April 2007. The meeting will include a review of the recently approved Wisconsin Waterfowl Strategic Plan and discussion of possible methods to increase migratory waterfowl use, increase the diversity of protected feeding areas, hold birds longer, reduce hunter concentrations and to provide a higher quality hunting opportunities on the Mead Wildlife Area. Participants will also discuss setting up work groups to finalize their recommendations for potential implementation. For information contact Tom Meier, DNR wildlife biologist, at 715-457-6771.
* February 26-27 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* February 27 - The DNR Division of Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Quality Advisory Committee will be meeting from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2008 BMP monitoring cycle, review mapping of vernal pools and discuss resulting adaptations to forest management in Kettle Moraine State Forest. For more information, contact Carmen Wagner at 608-266-16677 or Carmen1.Wagner@Wisconsin.gov.
* February 28 - The External Advisory Team for the DNR's proposed Glacial Heritage Area will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 136 N Monroe St., Waterloo. The Team will be discussing options for creating and expanding conservation parks, linking trails between parks and cities, and protecting lands adjacent to rivers and creeks in the Study Area. For more information contact John Pohlman at 608-264-6263.
* February 29 - The Governor's Task Force on Global Warming – Ad-hoc Waste Materials Recovery and Disposal Work Group will meet from noon to 3 p.m. in room 613 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. The agenda includes continuing revision of the waste policy templates. 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.
* March 3 - The next meeting of the Groundwater Coordinating Council (GCC) will be held Monday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be hosted by the UW Water Resources Institute in their Conference Room on the 2nd Floor of Goodnight Hall, 1975 Willow Drive, on the UW campus in Madison. The proposed agenda includes a discussion of groundwater education, research, monitoring and data management activities, including consideration of the UWS Groundwater Research Plan, manure management issues, preparedness for flooding, arsenic species distribution in Wisconsin ground water, and agency updates. For more information, contact Jeff Helmuth at (608) 266-5234.
* March 4 – The second meeting of the Phosphorus Criteria Advisory Committee will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street in Madison. The specific room will be listed the day of the meeting in the Memorial Union’s “Today in the Union” announcements. The purpose of the committee 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.
* March 6 - The Wisconsin Clean Diesel Coalition will meet 9:30 a.m. to noon in the WHEDA conference room (1st floor) of the Tommy Thompson Building, 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison. The group will discuss project ideas for new Diesel Emission Reduction Act funds. For information contact Jessica Lawent, Wisconsin DNR, at (414) 263-8653.
* March 10-25 - Deer management unit information meetings will be held throughout the state to give hunters and others an opportunity to get the most up to date deer management unit information, preliminary deer population estimates and find out what the 2008 deer hunting season structure may look like in a series of public meetings across the state. Local wildlife biologists will be on hand at each meeting to provide information and answer questions. Other topics attendees can expect to learn more about include: CWD; October antlerless-only gun hunting opportunities; local buck and antlerless harvest histories; the Sex- Age- Kill (SAK) deer population estimation process; and deer population estimates, distribution and abundance. For information contact Keith Warnke, Madison (608) 264-6023 or the local wildlife biologist listed as the contact in the news release linked above.
* March 12 – Milwaukee River Revitalization Council Meeting 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee. Agenda includes: Citizen Water Monitoring Update, presentation by Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers; Milwaukee River Basin Water Quality Issues, presentation by Wisconsin DNR, & Milwaukee Regional Partnership Update. For more information, contact Matthew Aho at 414-263-8586.
* March 18 – The DNR and Marathon County municipalities will host a Street Sweepings Disposal and Reuse Informational Meeting from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Village of Weston – Municipal Building, 5500 Schofield Ave., Weston. This informational meeting has been arranged to discuss the practical and legal options for street sweepings disposal and reuse. For more information, please contact Christine Lilek - DNR at (715) 839-3768 or Christine.Lilek@wisconsin.gov.
* March 20 & 21 – The Disabled Advisory Council will meet in the Glacier's Edge conference room of the South Central Region Department of Natural Resources Headquarters, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg from noon until 4 p.m. March 20 and from 9 a.m. until noon March 21. One topic of discussion concerns a proposal by a disabled citizen that would provide free state park access to disabled and low-income individuals. For information contact Andy Janicki at (608) 267-7490.
* March 25-26 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* April 14 – The Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings and Conservation Congress County Meetings will be held in each county of the state beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting are held to gather public opinion on proposed changes to fisheries and wildlife management rules of both statewide and local interest and to provide a forum for the public to recommend rule changes for future consideration. Results of the hearings are not binding, but are forward to the state Natural Resources Board for their consideration in adopting rule changes. For information contact Kari Lee Zimmerman at 608-266-2952.
* April 22-23 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in a location to be announced in Baraboo. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* May 27-28 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced in Milwaukee. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420..
* June 24-25 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced in Waupaca. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420..
* July 23 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* August 12-13 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced in Platteville. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420..
* September 23-24 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced in Wausau. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420..
* October 21-22 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced in Eagle Riverr. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420..
* December 9-10 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* January 27-28, 2009 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
