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/June 12, 2007
Spring turkey hunters register record turkey harvest
Grouse population estimates improve for second year running
State forest hosts art exhibit ‘with a different point of view’
Beach monitoring season begins at Great Lakes beaches
Wisconsin communities prepare for emerald ash borer
Canada thistle, wild parsnip starting to flower
DNR seeks to fill park manager and ranger vacancies
Draft Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan available for review
Road expansion may result in incidental take of rare plant
Spring turkey hunters register record turkey harvest
Fall season permit applications due August 1
MADISON – Preliminary figures show that hunters set a new harvest record, registering 51,306 turkeys during Wisconsin’s 2007 spring wild turkey season. This is a 9 percent increase from the 2006 spring harvest of 46,662 birds. The statewide hunter success rate for all hunting periods was 25 percent, compared to 23 percent in 2006.
The increase in harvest is likely due to several factors, says Scott Hull, Department of Natural Resources upland ecologist.
“This spring’s season was kind of a perfect storm,” says Hull. “The combination of an expanding turkey population, an increased number of permits and hunters, and good weather except for the first few days of the first period, allowed a lot of hunters to get within shooting range of a tom.”
A total of 205,306 permits were issued for the spring hunt according to licensing officials. Over the counter sales amounted to 42,251 of the total.
As in past years, success rates were highest during the early and middle hunting periods.
“Despite a late spring snowstorm across the southern part of the state on the opening of the first period, hunters recorded a 34 percent success rate during the first period,” Hull says. “Success then dropped to 29 and 24 percent for the second and third periods, still pretty decent hunting for the most part.”
The preliminary counts showed that adult toms were 75 percent of the total harvest, which is pretty close to the long term average of 72 percent. In 2005, adult toms made up 87 percent of the harvest, which was high due to a poor production year in 2004 -- meaning there were fewer jakes in the spring 2005 population.
Zones 22 and 23 once again appear to have produced the highest overall turkey harvests at 5,664 and 2,715 respectively. The best hunter success rate in units recording more than 100 turkeys appears to be in unit 34 with a preliminary success rate of 34 percent followed by several units (33, 34, 19) at 33 percent success.
The fall 2007 wild turkey season will run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 15. The deadline for applying for a fall permit through the lottery process is August 1. Regulations for the 2007 fall turkey season will be available online beginning June 12 and will be available in hard copy at license vendors and DNR Service Centers shortly.
Applications cost $3 and are can be purchased: through the DNR Web site, at any DNR Service Center, and at authorized sales locations.
New Zones for 2008
Turkey hunters are reminded that beginning with the fall 2008 season, the number of turkey hunting zones will be reduced to seven large zones instead of the more than 50 small zones currently in place.
There will still be the same number of time periods, same amount of total turkey hunting area and the permit process will remain the same, according to wildlife managers. Each of the new zones combine a number of the current smaller zones and will allow hunters more flexibility to move about in search of game within a larger zone. The new zones were established based on habitat characteristics, harvest success rates and hunter interference rates.
“The concept of a smaller number of larger zones has worked well in other states similar to Wisconsin,” said Hull. “Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and Iowa all manage turkeys and turkey hunting with fewer zones. I think once hunters get used to the new structure, they’ll like the new ability to move around more within their chosen zone. In addition to a larger potential hunting area, there will be fewer zone boundaries to deal with.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull (608) 267-7861
Grouse population estimates improve for second year running
New season dates for 2007 in effect
MADISON – Wisconsin’s ruffed grouse population appears to be on the upswing for the second year in a row, according to preliminary data state wildlife managers collected during the 2007 spring drumming counts. The central and southeastern grouse management regions showed the greatest increases over 2006.
Hunters anticipating grouse hunting should note that new in 2007, there will only be two grouse hunting zones instead of three. However, the season dates, and the boundaries of the zone that makes up Southeast Wisconsin have not changed. The rest of the state has been combined into new Zone A, and the season will run Sept. 15 until Jan. 31 in the entire zone. For hunters in the northern portions of the new Zone A, that means an extra month of hunting.
2007 Season dates:
• Zone (A): Sept. 15-Jan. 31, 2008
• Zone (B): Oct. 20- Dec. 8, 2007
• Bag limits are five birds per day in Zone A and two birds per day in Zone B. Possession limits are twice the daily bag limit
Annual Survey
Each spring, Department of Natural Resources biologists, wardens, and foresters, along with members of the Ruffed Grouse Society and other volunteers travel survey routes recording the drumming activity they hear. Drumming is the sound produced by a male grouse during the spring breeding season. The male will display on a drumming log then rapidly beat his wings producing a drumming sound with the intention of attracting a female.
For reasons not well understood by biologists, grouse populations cycle up and down over an eight- to10-year period. The previous high population point was in 1999.
“Overall, drumming counts increased by 14 percent over the last year, on top of a 27 percent increase recorded between 2005 and 2006,” said Scott Hull, DNR upland game ecologist. “It’s a welcome indication that populations appear to be growing. We won’t have actual brood data until later in the summer, after eggs are hatched and the young birds make it through the critical first month or so. Brood success depends a lot on the weather between now and late July.”
The statewide average was 0.87 drums per stop along the survey routes in 2007, said Hull. Overall, surveyors rated survey conditions as excellent on 51 percent of the survey routes.
Population estimates for ruffed grouse are divided into four regions around the state. A map of the regions can viewed on the DNR Web site [dnr.wi.gov] click on natural resources, hunting and then huntable species.
“The central and southeast regions showed the greatest increase in drumming activity over last year with 23 percent and 25 percent increases, respectively,” says Hull. “The northern region showed an increase of 17 percent and the southwest region showed a small decline with 11 percent fewer drums than in 2006, which is a small swing in an otherwise strong upward population growth trend.
“These are great survey results and I’m very optimistic that we’ll have a great grouse season in 2007,” said Hull.
More birds generally lead to more hunting days in the field and higher success rates, say wildlife managers. During the 2006-07 grouse season, about 99,000 hunters reported spending 756,000 days in the field hunting grouse.
“Hunters reported harvesting roughly 384,000 grouse in 2006,” said Hull. “At the time of the last population peak, back in 1999, they reported taking about 768,000.”
Ruffed grouse drumming surveys have been used since 1964 as an indicator of ruffed grouse population trends. Beginning 30 minutes before sunrise, the surveys are conducted by driving established survey routes and stopping at 10 points lying approximately 1 to 2 miles apart, listening for four minutes, and recording the drumming activity.
“Ruffed grouse drumming surveys are helpful in tracking statewide population changes over the long term,” says Hull, “however they are not good predictors of local harvest or hunting opportunities. The most successful hunters usually are those who spend the most time in the field and cover the most ground.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull (608) 267-7861
State forest hosts art exhibit ‘with a different point of view’
Opening ceremony and celebrations of the exhibit June 16 and 17
MADISON – A popular nature trail in Wisconsin’s largest state forest is being transformed this summer into an outdoor art gallery that will feature ecological, social and artistic perspectives on native and invasive elements and impacts on Wisconsin’s forests.
The exhibit, “Native/Invasive,” is part of a project called Forest Art Wisconsin. It will include work by artists from the United States, Europe, and South America. It is being installed at the Raven Nature Trail on the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest located just east of Woodruff in Oneida County.
The opening of the exhibit coincides with Invasive Species Awareness Month in Wisconsin. The month-long observance provides an opportunity to recognize the danger invasives present to the state’s forest resource and to focus on ways to keep these areas free of invasives.
The exhibit taps into a cutting-edge trend in the art community. Not only is the forest a source of artistic inspiration, a trail area also functions as the gallery, a display area for works of art that normally would not be found there.
Forest Art Wisconsin is a cooperative effort of a number of organizations, including the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The public is invited to the opening ceremony and celebrations of the exhibit on June 16 and 17. DNR Regional Forestry Leader Mike Luedeke will welcome visitors to the forest art exhibit as part of the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 at the Raven Trailhead. Artists will be available from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on June 16. The opening day will end with a 7 p.m. community dance near the exhibit at the Clear Lake Campground. Celebrations continue on Sunday, June 17 with various events, performances and tours from noon to 5 p.m.
There is no charge to view the exhibit at the Raven Nature Trail, located 3.5 miles southeast of Woodruff on Woodruff Road just off Wisconsin Highway 47. The starting point of the exhibit site is the parking lot at the Raven trailhead.
The exhibit is the brainchild of Ute Ritschel, an artist-in residence at University of Wisconsin who is curator of the unique display. Under Ritschel’s guidance, the artists will display mixed-media works that range from photographs to sculptures along the 1.5-mile trail.
“Nature is so close to everybody in Wisconsin,” Ritschel said. “People like to be outdoors, and I want them to see nature with a different point of view.”
The origin of the exhibit dates to 1995, when Ritschel was curator of art exhibits in private gardens in her hometown of Darmstadt, Germany. That evolved into the International Forest Art Path symposium, which gave artists from various cultural backgrounds a chance to create art in the Darmstadt forest. One of the artists participating in Ritschel’s first symposium in 2002 was Laurie Beth Clark, a UW-Madison art professor and associate vice chancellor for faculty and staff programs. It was Clark’s enthusiasm that resulted in Ritschel coming to Wisconsin.
Clark and Ritschel approached the Division of Forestry regarding a state forest site that could host a Forest Art exhibit in Wisconsin. Ritschel looked at a number of sites but was taken with the beauty of the Raven Nature Trail and its location, according to Steve Petersen superintendent of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. The trail also lent itself to the kind of art exhibit envisioned by Ritschel, Petersen said.
“If a single characteristic is shared by the various works of art on exhibit, it’s that their presence in the forest is unexpected, they do no harm to the area, and they can be viewed as a kind of “invasive” that guides observers to a greater understanding of forests as a resource that needs to be cared for and appreciated,” Petersen said
The exhibit will remain in place through the summer. Guided tours are available daily through June 15 and then on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 30, and special arrangements can be made to accommodate large groups by contacting Megan Lotts at mclotts@wisc.edu. Information is also available by calling (715) 385-2727.
Details about the exhibit, including a complete list of the artists, activities and tour schedule, and directions to the site, can be found at the Forest Art Wisconsin webpage: [http://www.forestartwisconsin.com].
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Steve Petersen, (715) 358-9225 or Kirsten Held, (608) 264-6036
Beach monitoring season begins at Great Lakes beaches
New effort to help identify potential sources of pollutants
MADISON – Beach monitoring is in full swing on Wisconsin’s public coastal beaches and work is expected to begin soon on an effort aimed at improving water quality for swimmers and other beachgoers.
This is the fifth summer that public beaches along Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coast are participating in a uniform program to regularly test for bacteria and inform swimmers about water quality conditions. The program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources and carried out by local governments, aims to reduce the public’s risk of exposure to water-borne illnesses. People can go online to
www.wibeaches.us to learn the latest beach conditions at the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan sites and find maps showing which beaches are open.
New this year, DNR has received extra funding from the federal government to conduct sanitary surveys to identify potential sources of pollution on 17 public beaches participating in the uniform monitoring program. The program is administered by DNR and the testing and posting carried out by local governments.
“One of the things our local partners have been saying over the years was, “we want to take a look at sources of beach water quality problems,” says Nicole Richmond, the DNR water quality specialist working on the surveys.
“This funding enables us to help local governments identify and address problems at specific beaches, and some of the data may be used to begin developing models for the beach to help predict when conditions might be good or poor.”
DNR is working closely with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the City of Racine Health Department to conduct sanitary surveys developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess all potential sources of pollution at the beaches. The 17 beaches selected along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan include those that have had poor water quality over the past four years of the monitoring program and some that have undergone changes that may affect water quality.
“Our hope is that this first year of sanitary surveys will prove to be successful so that we can continue to receive additional funding next year to address other beaches with E. coli problems,” Richmond says.
Started in 2003, the Wisconsin Beach Monitoring and Notification Program’s [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/beaches/] primary goal has been to reduce beach visitors’ risk of exposure to disease-causing micro-organisms in water, according to Toni Glymph, the DNR environmental toxicologist who coordinates the beach monitoring program.
E.coli bacteria indicate the possible presence of bacteria and viruses that might sicken people. Potential sources of E.coli contamination at Wisconsin beaches include agricultural runoff, urban storm water and sewage overflows. In addition, wildlife and waterfowl feces contribute to high levels of E.coli in both beach sand and water.
Under the uniform beach monitoring program, counties test beaches up to four times a week and post an advisory sign warning swimmers that there’s “an increased risk of illness” whenever the water quality criterion of 235 colony forming units (CFU) for E. coli is exceeded. A red STOP sign that closes the beach is posted when E. coli levels exceed 1,000 CFU, indicating a “serious risk” of illness, or whenever local health officials think it’s warranted due to sewer overflows, heavy rainfalls, or other triggers, Glymph says.
She says that it’s hard to predict what 2007 will hold for beachgoers, given that the past four years of monitoring haven’t shown whether beach water quality is improving or getting worse, but often reflects weather conditions, primarily rain that washes pollutants on streets, farm fields, construction sites and other surfaces into the water.
Dry years, like 2005 and 2003, have had fewer water quality problems than 2004, a year with 50 more days of rain. Summer 2006 had fewer closures and advisories than in 2004, but more than in 2005, according to DNR’s 2006 Annual Report to EPA. [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/beaches/AnnualReport2006.pdf]
Wisconsin in 2003 became the first to fully implement a beach monitoring program in accordance with federal program criteria and has been held up by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a model for other states. The 2007 program will be funded primarily from a $225,270 federal grant DNR has secured from EPA for the purpose, most of which is passed through to local governments. Under state law, local governments are responsible for testing their local beaches unless they are on state properties or owned by tribal governments.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Glymph (608) 264-8954 or Nicole Richmond (608) 266-0152
Wisconsin communities prepare for emerald ash borer
MADISON -- Wisconsin communities have a new resource to assist in their preparation for the possible arrival of the invasive forest best, the emerald ash borer. The Emerald Ash Borer Toolkit for Wisconsin Communities is designed for municipal tree managers and urban forestry consultants and contains more than 100 documents covering pre-planning, public awareness, first response, control measures, long-term management and much more. The toolkit is designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate the needs of various users.
“There are more than 5 million ash trees in Wisconsin communities that are at risk from EAB,” says Dick Rideout, state urban forestry coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. “This toolkit will help communities create plans and muster the resources that will be needed when this insect comes to town. We have it posted on the Web so we can rapidly update it as information and recommendations change.’
The toolkit was initially rolled out in February as a three-ring notebook, but it has now been updated and is available electronically on the Web at [http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/uf/eab]. It comes in three formats: a three-ring binder, a CD and as downloadable files. Municipal tree managers and consultants that advise them can contact their DNR regional urban forestry coordinator for a hard copy of the toolkit. Communities that received a toolkit in February can download the updated files. All others can order the CD or download the files from the Web site.
The emerald ash borer is a small but destructive insect which appears as a bright green half-inch long beetle during May through August. Native to eastern Asia and China, EAB was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and is thought to have arrived in the United States via wooden cargo packing materials. During mid-to-late summer, adult beetles lay small eggs in the crevices of ash bark. These eggs hatch and develop into wormlike larvae which tunnel under bark to feed and grow until they emerge as adult beetles the following spring. This feeding, under the bark, eventually girdles the tree resulting in decline and eventual death of the tree. Damage from EAB is difficult to spot and often does not appear until a tree has been infested for two to three years.
Symptoms of an EAB infestation include:
• Dying ash with sprouts on the trunk or at the base of the tree.
• 1/8th-inch D-shaped exit holes in the bark.
• Winding, S-shaped tunnels underneath the bark.
• Bullet-shaped, iridescent green beetles from May to August.
• Increased woodpecker activity on ash trees.
Do not move firewood
To help prevent the spread of emerald ash borer people are being asked to not move firewood. This insect moves very slowly on its own but may be transported long distances in infested firewood, logs and nursery stock. Quarantines and restrictions on the movement of nursery stock and wood products are in place in infested states. The movement of firewood by individuals—knowingly or otherwise—is the cause of most new infestations. EAB is just one of many foreign insect and disease pests transported on firewood.
Wisconsin stands to lose an estimated 727 million ash trees to emerald ash borer. An estimated 20 percent of Wisconsin’s street and park trees are ash. Municipalities face especially heavy losses. Replacement could cost Wisconsin municipalities as much as $2.4 billion
The toolkit was compiled by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry Urban Forestry program with assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), University of Wisconsin Extension (UW-WEX), the USDA Forest Service and the Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois urban forestry programs.
For additional information on emerald ash borer visit
http://emeraldashborer.wi.gov.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dick Rideout (608) 267-0843 or Don Kissinger (715) 359-5793
Canada thistle, wild parsnip starting to flower
Prevent the spread of weed seeds by mowing just before flowering
MADISON – Three noxious and invasive weeds that are common along roadsides and grasslands are just getting ready to flower, making this an excellent time to take steps to control them and limit their ability to spread.
Canada thistle, wild parsnip, spotted knapweed, like many other invasive plants, spread primarily by seed. Mowing down these plants just prior to them flowering may prevent or reduce the spread of seeds, says Kelly Kearns, plant conservationist with the Department of Natural Resources.
“Early June is the time to mow for many of these species,” Kearns says. “As they are just starting to flower at this time they can be easily identified and knocked back. Although mowing can reduce their spread, generally eradicating these invaders takes a number of years and a combination of pulling, cutting, prescribed fire and/or carefully applying herbicide.”
Anyone tackling weed control should be careful of the plants that they are working with, Kearns says, as some have effective defense mechanisms. Some plants, like the purple flowering non-native thistles and multiflora rose, are heavily thorned.
One particularly dangerous plant is wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). It can cause serious burns when bare skin comes into contact with the parsnip flowers, leaves or stems in the presence of sunlight. Wild parsnip is a common roadside weed that is rapidly spreading in Wisconsin.
“Now is the best time to recognize wild parsnip because it sends up large, coarse flower spikes and yellow umbrella-like flower clusters generally beginning from the first of June to early July. The long, divided basal leaves can be only a few inches high, but the flowers generally reach 2 to 5 feet,” she says.
“The best way to control wild parsnip, like any invasive plant, is through early detection and eradication. Learn to identify the plant in all of its stages of growth and keep a look-out. As soon as a small population is located, begin control efforts to prevent it from spreading seeds. With many people watching for this plant we can contain its spread and spare others the pain of parsnip burns,” Kearns says.
More information on wild parsnip can be found on the DNR Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/invasive/index.htm] and in a an article on the plant published in Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine [http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/1999/jun99/parsnip.htm].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Kearns – (608) 267-5066
DNR seeks to fill park manager and ranger vacancies
Interested candidates can take on-line exam through June 27
MADISON – People interested as working as a park manager or ranger at a Wisconsin state park, trail or forest can fill out an on-line application and examination that is available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site through Wednesday, June 27.
Exam results will be used to create a list of eligible candidates to fill a number of current park manager and ranger vacancies as well as vacancies that may occur throughout the state during the next six to 12 months. The job announcements and exams can be found at [http://dnr.wi.gov/employment/fte/].
“We’re seeking creative, service oriented individuals to join a team of professional employees dedicated to serving and protecting visitors to Wisconsin State parks, trails and forests,” said Jason Fritz, Chief Ranger for the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Parks and Recreation.
“We are especially interested in individuals with diverse backgrounds who can communicate with a wide variety of customer groups, and are encouraging women and minorities to consider taking the exams,” he added.
In addition to directing daily park operations, job duties include: enhancing natural resources through strong management practices, protecting natural resources by enforcing regulations and laws pertaining to parks, fisheries, and wildlife, providing visitor information and service; working cooperatively with various user groups and volunteers, and directing work crews.
Qualified applicants should possess either a two-year or associate degree from a Wisconsin vocational, technical and adult education district or its accredited equivalent from another state, or a minimum of 60 fully-accredited college-level credits at the time of employment. An applicant who has not met this standard at the time of employment must meet the standard by the end of their fifth year of employment. Interviews and additional assessments will be involved in selecting candidates for manager positions. Successful applicants must complete law enforcement officer certification prior to completion of the probationary period.
Additional requirements, exams and more information can be found at the Wisconsin Jobs Web site [https://wiscjobs.state.wi.us/public/index.asp].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Fritz - (608) 266-2152
Draft Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan available for review
Six-year plan goes to state Natural Resources Board for approval this month
MADISON – A draft plan for how the state Department of Natural Resources will conserve and manage fish and wildlife and outdoor recreation activities over the next six years is now available for public review.
The state Natural Resources Board will discuss and consider approval of the 2007-2013 “Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan” at its June 27 meeting in Oconomowoc. The draft plan and related documents is available on the DNR Web site at [dnr.wi.gov/invest/].
This draft plan provides specific guidance to department staff for fish and wildlife conservation, management and recreation activities over the next six years. The scope of the plan is on projects and activities eligible for federal funds through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act and the Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act -- priorities related to sport fish, wild mammal and wild bird conservation and management, and on boating and hunter education activities.
In order for the state to receive federal grants that supplement hunting and fishing license fees, a management plan is required every six years to show how those funds will be spent. The DNR receives about $15 million in federal grants each year to help manage sport fish and wildlife populations.
The plan identifies challenges and priorities for the next six years, and establishes goals and objectives. It also notes some of the trends, challenges, opportunities and major issues that may influence how the agency will carry out its mission. These include land use patterns and habitat loss, conflicts among outdoor recreation users, conserving declining species and threatened habitats, non-native invasive species and wildlife diseases.
Included in the management plan are the results of a public opinion survey on issues of importance to the future health and management of fish, wildlife and habitat in Wisconsin [http://dnr.wi.gov/invest/fwhplan/results.html]. As many of the issues covered in the survey overlap with the work under that plan this public opinion survey, along with past and future public outreach efforts, will also be used to help guide fish and wildlife work under the scope of the plan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Barb Zellmer at - (608) 266-8724
Road expansion may result in incidental take of rare plant
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threatened species.
MADISON -- The expansion of a highway in Winnebago County may result in the incidental taking of wild petunia (Ruellia humilis), a plant listed as a state endangered species, under an authorization the Department of Natural Resources is proposes to grant for the project.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing to convert the current U.S. Highway 45 two lane expressway into a four lane rural expressway. The additional lanes between County Highway G and County Highway II will be constructed east of the existing lanes.
Native remnant prairie was encountered on both sides of the existing roadway between Highway G and Breezewood Lane. All areas of prairie plant communities were surveyed four times during the 2006 growing season. The prairie habitat totals approximately 7.46 acres (3.09 acres west of Highway 45 and 4.37 acres east), only a small portion of which is in the road right-of-way. Three plant species of significance were identified on the west side, the state endangered wild petunia, as well as tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris) and narrow-leaved vervain (Verbena simplex) both special concern species rarely encountered in this part of the state.
DOT worked during design to avoid and minimize impacts to the prairie and listed plants. The west frontage road was realigned to avoid the prairie plant communities and to establish a 4.5 acre parcel of land between the frontage road and highway that will be maintained as native prairie habitat. To preserve and expand the remaining prairie plant communities on the east side, a 5-acre parcel will be purchased and managed as prairie habitat.
A Conservation Plan was developed to collect seed and move plants that could not be avoided to the remaining and restored prairie areas. A long-term management plan will be implemented to preserve the prairie plant communities. Special provisions were incorporated into the construction contract and utility work to ensure protection of the prairie habitat and its species during construction. This incidental take authorization is proposed to cover unintentional loss due to construction and potential loss that could occur from plant relocations and subsequent habitat management.
Department staff determined: that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the wild petunia and other plants by transplanting and collecting seed, conducting prairie management and restoration, and monitoring the plants and their habitat; that the project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of wild petunia or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and that it has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the actions.
Copies of the Conservation Plan and Jeopardy Assessment are available on the DNR website at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/notices.html] or upon request from Lisie Kitchel at the address below. Public comments will be taken through July 10th, 2007 and should be sent to the address above.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisie Kitchel - (608) 266-5248
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.
April 15 through July 31
• It is illegal to allow dogs to run on DNR lands and Federal Waterfowl Production Areas lands during this time unless the dog is on a leash no longer than 8 feet. Doe not apply to class 1 field trial grounds or DNR lands open to dog training.*
June 16
• Yellow perch season opens on Lake Michigan with a bag limit of five (5).*
• Northern zone bass season goes from catch-and-release to daily bag limits. Check current regulations for bag and size limits.
July 1
• Training dogs by pursuing bear allowed through August 31. (Note exception on DNR lands; see current Wisconsin bear hunting regulations for rules.)*
July 15
• Turtle season opens statewide through Nov. 30 for those species that are not listed as endangered or threatened.*
August 1
• Fall turkey hunting applications due.*
• Deadline to apply for goose hunting permits for the Collins and Horicon zones.*
• Sharp-tailed grouse permit application due.*
• Deadline to apply for bobcat, fisher and otter permits.
• Deadline for successful applicants to purchase or transfer Class A Bear License.*
August 6, 7, 8, & 9
• Public hearings on the proposed 2007 migratory game bird season hunting zones, season length and bag limits. The public hearings will all begin at 7 p.m. on the following dates at the locations listed.
o August 6, La Crosse – State Office Bldg, Rooms B-19 and B-20, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road
o August 7, Rice Lake – University of Wisconsin at Barron County, Room R228, Meggers Hall, 1800 College Drive.
o August 8, Appleton – Agricultural Services Center, Main conference room, 3369 West Brewster St.
o August 9, Waukesha – State Office Building, main conference room, 141 N. W. Barstow St.
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
June 12 - Pursuant to §§ 227.11(2)(a), 285.11(1), (6) and (16), 285.60(6), 285.67 and 285.69, Wis. Stats., interpreting §§ 227.11(2)(a) and 285.11(1) and (6), Wis. Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to chs. NR 400, 406, 407, 410 and 439, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to construction permits and stack test requirements. The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. in Room 511 of the state Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison. The State Implementation Plan developed under § 285.11(6), Stats., is also being revised. The department is proposing to incorporate changes in federal regulations. Some changes in chs. NR 400 and 407 are updating definitions and other revisions to the federal standards regarding fugitive emissions and permitting standards. Additional changes in chs. NR 406 and 407 clarify when a construction permit is needed for sources covered under general operation permits. Portable source relocation limitations found in ch. NR 406 will be amended by changing the numerical emission limitations to language limiting the relocation limitations to less than major source thresholds. Section NR 410.03 will be amended so construction permits can be issued concurrently with operation permits, streamlining the process for minor revisions to those permits. The revision is being made so that the collection of permit fees and the issuance of an operation permit are independent of each other. If fees are not paid, the Department has the ability to revoke a permit or to refer the source to the Department of Justice to collect the fees. Chapters NR 439 and 462 have different and conflicting stack test requirements for boilers that are subject to national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, maximum achievable control technology (MACT). The proposed amendment to ch. NR 439 allows boilers subject to that MACT standard to use the testing schedule in ch. NR 462 rather than the current requirements in ch. NR 439. The proposed rule may have an impact on small businesses. Surces of fugitive emissions may become subject to the federal operation permit program as a result of this rule change. Low emitting dry cleaners, metal cleaners and chrome electroplaters may be excluded from major source permitting requirements as a result of this rule. DNR staff have 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 supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate may be viewed and and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Web site [http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov/] (Search this Web site using the Natural Resources Board Order No. AM-12-07. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Joe Brehm, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by e-mail to Joseph.Brehm@wisconsin.gov. Comments may be submitted until June 19, 2007. 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 copy of the proposed rule and supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate or more information may be obtained from Robert Eckdale at (608) 266-2856.
June 12 - The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing at 3 p.m. in Room 511, of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison, on amendments to ch. NR 484 and the creation of NR 460, Appendix JJJJ and ch. NR 465, subch. III, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for paper and other web surface coating processes. The U.S. EPA promulgated the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the surface coating of paper and other web on December 4, 2002. Section 285.27(2)(a), Stats., requires the Department to promulgate NESHAP into the administrative code. The proposed rule will regulate the emissions of hazardous air pollutants from facilities which are major sources of federal HAPs and which conduct surface coating of paper and other web (affected sources). These include facilities which manufacture the following products: pressure-sensitive tapes and labels, flexible vinyl, photographic film, decorative and industrial laminates, abrasive products and specialty papers. The rule specifies emission limits for organic HAP and operating limits for emission control devices. The proposed rule is identical to the federal NESHAP, except for punctuation, capitalization, numbering, and non-substantive wording and organizational changes made to accommodate state rule form and style requirements and, in some cases, to improve clarity. The proposed rule may have an impact on small businesses that are major sources of HAP emission and which operate one or more web coating lines. The proposed rule and supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate may be viewed and downloaded and comments electronically submitted at the following Internet site:
http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov. (Search this Web site using the Natural Resources Board Order No. AM 08 07.) Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Mr. Eric Mosher, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by e-mail to Eric.Mosher@wisconsin.gov. Comments may be submitted until June 29, 2007. 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. For more information or a copy of the proposed rule and supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate contact Robert Eckdale at (608) 266-2856.
June 12 and 13 – A hearing in regard to the consolidation of appeals of petitioners objecting to granting of a variance to Pheasant Run Refuse Disposal Facility for wells within 1,200 feet of a landfill in Paris Township, Kenosha County, (originally scheduled for March 26) will he held at 9 a.m., in Room 202 of the Kenosha City Hall, 625 52nd Street, Kenosha. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
June 13 – A public hearing on the Application of Shoppes at Wyndham Village Development for an Air Pollution Control Permit to construct an Air Contaminant Source at, South of Drexel Ave and East of Lover Land Road, Franklin, Milwaukee County will be held at 3:30 p.m., in the Franklin City Hall, City Hall Community Room, 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin. For information contact Thomas Steidl at (608) 266-0235.
June 15 – **CANCELLED** A public information hearing on the application from First Place Condominiums for a proposed permit to place a structure on the bed of (template piles) and a permit to remove or disturb materials on the bed of the Kinnickinnic River in the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County has been cancelled. The objection has been withdrawn. For more information contact Rachel Sabre at (414) 263-8601.
June 18 - A Class 1 contested case public hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 30.12(3m) and 30.13 on the application of John Loeffelholz for a permit for rock filled crib pier with l extension on the bed of Lake Superior, Town of Bayfield, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, will be held at 1:15 p.m. in the County Board Room at the Bayfield County Courthouse, 117 East 5th St., Washburn. The hearing will continue, if necessary, on June 19, 2007 at 8 a.m. in Conference Room A (Lower Level) at the same location. John Loeffelholz, 2338 Ruby Sunset, San Antonio, TX 78232, filed an application with the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 30.12(1) for a permit to construct a 15 foot flow through bridge at the shoreline, plus two 20 foot log cribs, plus a 20 foot lob crib “L” running from northwest to southeast, with the end of the proposed dock to be at a depth of 3 feet of water. Applicants further propose that the structure will include two ladders extending down into the water. The proposed project is located on the bed of Lake Superior in Government Lot 2S6, T50N, R3W, Town of Bayfield, Bayfield County, Wisconsin. On May 5, 2006, the department denied the pier application. On June 2, 2006, the department received a Petition for Administrative Review pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.42 from Attorney Jack A. Carlson on behalf of Lars Carlson. On June 29, 2006, the Department granted a contested case hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 30.209 and 227.42. For more information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865.
June 18 – A Class 1 contested case public hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 30.12(3m) and 30.13 on the application of Lars Carlson for a permit for rock filled crib pier with l extension on the bed of Lake Superior, Town of Bayfield, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, will be held at 1:15 p.m. in the County Board Room at the Bayfield County Courthouse, 117 East 5th St., Washburn. The hearing will continue, if necessary, on June 19, 2007 at 8 a.m. in Conference Room A (Lower Level) at the same location. Lars Carlson, 87880 Brickyard Creek Road, Bayfield, filed an application with the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 30.12(1) for a permit to construct a 15 foot flow through bridge at the shoreline, plus two 20 foot log cribs, plus a 20 foot lob crib “L” running from northwest to southeast, with the end of the proposed dock to be at a depth of 3 feet of water. Applicants further propose that the structure will include two ladders extending down into the water. The proposed project is located on the bed of Lake Superior in Government Lot 1S6, T50N, R3W, Town of Bayfield, Bayfield County, Wisconsin. On May 5, 2006, the department denied the pier application. On June 6, 2006, the Department received a Petition for Administrative Review pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.42 from Attorney Jack A. Carlson on behalf of Lars Carlson. On June 29, 2006, the Department granted a contested case hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 30.209 and 227.42. For more information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865.
June 25 – A prehearing telephone conference in the matter of a conditional approval of a high capacity well to Village of Mukwonago will be held at 9:30 a.m. originating from the Division of Hearings and Appeals, 819 N. Sixth St., Milwaukee. On Feb. 26, 2007 the Department of Natural Resources conditionally approved an application submitted by the Village of Mukwonago regarding a test well and possible prosecution well. The department received a petition for a contested case hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.42 with respect to whether it was appropriate for DNR to issue the conditional approval for a well without using the environmental review process under § 1.11 Wis. Stats that applies to an application for approval of a high capacity well to be located in a groundwater protection area or a high capacity well that may have a significant environmental impact on a spring. The prehearing conference is to identify parties to the proceeding, further define issues for hearing and establishing a schedule for the hearing, which will be a Class 1 contested case hearing. For information on participating contact Bill Coleman, Division of Hearings and Appeals at (414) 258-6736.
June 29 - A telephone prehearing conference in the matter of the issuance of a conditional approval of a modification of the water facilities plan and specification approval for a high capacity well to the Village of East Troy pursuant to Wis. Stats. §§ 281.34 and 281.41 and Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 108, 811 and 812 will be held at 10 a.m. originating in the Division of Hearings and Appeals, 5005 University Avenue, Suite 201, Madison. The Department of Natural Resources, conditionally approved a modification for the Village of East Troy Water Utility to move the location of Well No. 7 from the test well site to the monitoring well (MW-1) site. The distance between the test well site and MW-1 site is approximately 12 feet. The department received a Petition for Contested Case Hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.42 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 2.03, from the Lake Beulah Management District and the Lake Beulah Protective and Improvement Association as to whether it was appropriate for DNR to conditionally approve a modification of the Village of East Troy’s Water Facilities Plan and Specification Approval for a High Capacity Well to change the location of Well No. 7 without using the environmental review process under Wis. Stat. § 1.11, to the extent that any requirement to use that process applies only to the change in location of Well No. 7 and w7hether all of the Wis. Admin. Code § NR 811.16(4)(d), requirements for separation distances from potential sources of contamination were complied with, given that the location of Well No. 7 was changed. The purpose of the prehearing conference will be to identify parties to the proceeding, to simplify the issues which may be contested at the hearing, establish a discovery schedule and set a date for hearing. No testimony will be heard at the prehearing conference, however, a date may be set for the hearing on the merits at the conference. When the hearing is held it will be a Class 1 contested case pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.01(3)(a) and the fair play provisions of Wis. Stat. ch. 227 will apply. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865.
Meetings
June 12 - The Wisconsin Council on Forestry will meet at 8 a.m. in at the Holiday Inn Express, 919 State Highway 54, Black River Falls. The council will discuss Private Forest Certification expansion, woody biomass legislation, invasive species best management practices, potlatch in Wisconsin, the impact of China on Wisconsin forest products industry and other items that. Please contact Mary Brown at 261-7599 for more information.
June 14 - The Implementation Oversight Committee of the Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mirror Lake State Park, E10320 Fern Dell Road, Baraboo. More information is on the DNR Web site at [http://www.dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/karner/index.htm]. For information contact: David R. Lentz, Division of Forestry (608) 261-6451.
June 20 – The DNR Fishing Tournament Advisory Committee will meet from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the "Gathering Waters" conference room of the DNR South Central Region Headquarters, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg. The team will be reviewing the summaries of the comments from the public hearings and the Bass Fishing Tournament Pilot Program provided to the Natural Resources Board. More information on the committee and bass pilot program are available on the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/fishingtournaments/fishtournruledev.htm] and [http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/fishingtournaments/basspilotprogram.htm]. For information contact Andrew Fayram at (608) 266-5250.
June 20 - The Wisconsin Forest Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison. As a sub-committee of the Wisconsin Council on Forestry, the group is charged with drafting a monitoring framework for forests across the state. The agenda includes a review of forest biodiversity and discussions on the socioeconomic, legal and institutional aspects of forests. For information contact Amy Peterson at (608) 267-9680.
June 21 - The DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management will conduct a Sex-Age Kill (SAK) deer population estimate formula review follow-up meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Gander Mountain store near Wausau, 1560 County Highway XX, Rothschild. The purpose of this meeting is to continue the review and implementation of SAK audit recommendations, including identifying and prioritizing projects to improve the deer population model and to increase the credibility of population estimates. For more information contact Keith Warnke at - (608) 264-6023.
June 22 – The annual public open house meeting for the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Boulder Junction Community Building, 5386 Park St. (Highway M), Boulder Junction. The purpose of the open house is to share with the public the property management and improvement projects the state forest staff will be working on over the next several years. Maps and other information will be available to describe where timber sales, tree planting, wildlife and fish habitat management activities, trail and campground improvements are planned. Maintenance, law enforcement, forest management, fish and wildlife biologists, and recreation staff will also be on hand to answer questions on the property’s operation. The open house will not include discussions related to ATV use in the forest. A stakeholders’ group has been working to develop a proposal for ATV trails in the state forest and the public will have an opportunity later this summer to comment on it before the department makes a recommendation to the Natural Resources Board. For information contact Steve Petersen, Superintendent, Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest, at (715) 358-9225.
June 26-27 – The state Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced. For information contact Laurie J. Ross, Natural Resources Board Executive Staff Assistant at (608) 267-7420.
June 27 – The DNR Forestry best management practices advisory committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Goodman Park in Marinette County. Tim Miller from the DNR Lands Division will give an update on ATV issues in the morning and in the afternoon the committee will head out to the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest to hear about the history of the parcel and how conservation easements are preserving this working forest. The committee will also visit some active timber sales on Marinette County Forest to see current harvesting equipment in action -- the goal is to get an idea of how equipment has changed since the BMPs were first put in place in 1990s. The full meeting agenda, as well as notes and presentations from previous meetings are available at: [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/Usesof/bmp/advisory/]. For information contact Carmen Wagner, Forest Hydrologist at (608) 266-1667
June 28 – The DNR Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest ATV Stakeholders group will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Reuland's Catering, 1571 Hwy. 51 North, Arbor Vitae to continue to evaluate sustainable use of ATVs on the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. For information contact: Bob Dall at (715) 365-8993 for details.
June 28 - The DNR Brownfields Study Group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Eaton Corporation, 4201 N. 27th St., Milwaukee. The meeting is free and open to the public. If you need more information about the meeting agenda, location or parking, please contact Andrew Savagian at (608) 261-6422, or [andrew.savagian@wisconsin.gov].
