September 25, 2007
Wisconsin residents tap some of the world’s cleanest water
Early Canada goose season harvest estimates up
Pheasant stamp required of all hunters this year
Youth deer hunt set for October 6-7
Safety is the most important part of any hunt
Hunters reminded that wolves are a protected animal in Wisconsin
Crane-watch clinic offered
Wisconsin residents tap some of the world’s cleanest water
97 percent of water suppliers report no health-based violations
MADISON – While 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, Wisconsin residents tap some of the world’s cleanest water at a bargain price, a new report shows.
Fully 96.5 percent of the state’s public water supply systems served drinking water that met all state and federal standards set to protect public health in 2006, and they delivered a full day’s supply to a family of four – 220 gallons -- for less than $1, according to “Safe Water on Tap,” the annual drinking water report Wisconsin is required to submit to the federal government.
“Once again, Wisconsin residents could be confident they were drinking some of the cleanest drinking water in the world,” says Jill Jonas, who leads the Department of Natural Resources drinking water program that oversees all public water systems. “We have 11,500 public water systems and nearly 97 percent had no violations of drinking water standards set to protect public health.”
Public water systems are those serving at least 25 people at least 60 days a year and ranging from small restaurants and motels up to the state’s largest cities. Wisconsin has 11,441 of these systems and their 96.5 percent compliance rate in 2006.
Jonas says this is a great reflection on the systems, the DNR public water supply staff that regulate the water systems, and the trade associations and others under contract with DNR to help provide some services and training.
“Our number one responsibility is to assure people have safe water to drink in the state of Wisconsin. We’ve prioritized our work to meet that responsibility,” she says. “The compliance rates speak for themselves. We’re doing this with a small number of staff regulating the second highest number of water systems in the country. We’re also wisely using outside contracts to help provide training and resources as close to the facilities as possible.”
The rest of Wisconsin residents rely on private groundwater wells and they are responsible for testing and assuring the safety of the water they serve their own families and friends.
Wisconsin has more public water supply systems than any other state but Michigan. Public systems meet the daily water needs of 4 million people.
The 402 public water supply systems reporting water samples with contaminant levels exceeding health standards represent 3.5 percent of the total number of systems. About 70 percent of those systems, or 281, are from a category that includes motels, restaurants, parks, taverns, churches and campgrounds.
Bacterial contamination remained the top concern in 2006, with 3 percent of Wisconsin’s public systems exceeding the health based standards.
Radium followed as the second most common violation in 2006, with 28 systems serving water that exceeded health-based standards for radium. It’s important to note, however, that 25 of those 28 systems have since come into compliance and are providing water that meets the radium standard.
Elevated contaminant levels did not mean that people who drank the water in these systems got sick; it means users were exposed to what EPA has judged to be an unreasonable risk of illness, or that the system failed to treat its water to extent necessary. The maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, vary by contaminant and are set to prevent against sudden illness and health problems after a lifetime of drinking the water.
“Safe Water on Tap” details the number and kinds of violations of health-based standards, monitoring and reporting requirements, and other requirements. It also details DNR’s programs and activities to help assure the systems provide clean water; which communities received $14.6 million in low-interest loans from DNR for projects to assure the safety of their drinking water; and awards of $1 million in outside contracts with trade associations, counties and others to help deliver services and training.
The report also contains information about the cost of drinking water, and about growing attention in the media to the economic and environmental benefits of tap water. In 2006, municipal water systems of all sizes provided the daily water needs for an average family of four for less than $1, according to figures from the state Public Service Commission.
A copy of “Safe Water on Tap: 2006 Annual Drinking Water Report” was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Sept. 13. The report can be found on the drinking water pages of the DNR Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/index.htm].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Jonas - (608) 267-7545 or Lee Boushon - (608) 266-0857
Early Canada goose season harvest estimates up
Southern Duck Zone opens on Sept. 29
MADISON -- Preliminary estimates from the early Canada goose hunting season in Wisconsin show that hunter success was up, with this year’s harvest exceeding last year’s total. State wildlife officials say approximately 22,095 Canada geese were harvested this fall from Sept. 1 through 15.
“This number exceeds all earlier years’ totals for the early goose season,” says Kent Van Horn, migratory game bird ecologist for the state Department of Natural Resources. “We predicted it would be a good year for Canada goose hunting in Wisconsin and it was. Hunters had a good early season.”
In comparison, last year’s estimated harvest during the early season was 20,034 geese.
The early goose season targets the resident population of Canada geese that breed in Wisconsin, since Canada geese that breed in Ontario do not migrate to Wisconsin until later in September or October. Canada geese that breed in Wisconsin are viewed differently by Wisconsin residents.
Van Horn says that while some residents value these geese for aesthetic reasons and some enjoy them as a recreational hunting resource, other residents view them as a nuisance, particularly in urban and suburban park-like settings. The harvest level this year continues to demonstrate that the early September Canada goose hunting season remains an effective tool for managing our resident Canada goose population.
Southern duck zone opens on Sept. 29
Saturday, Sept. 29 marks the opening of the southern duck zone. This season will open at 9 a.m. and run through Oct. 7, and then will close for five days, reopening on Oct. 13 and running through Dec. 2. Waterfowl hunters should note that in 2007, the exterior zone Canada goose season in the southern duck zone will also be closed during this five-day period from Oct 8-12. This season closure does not affect goose hunting in the Horicon or Collins zones which are also within the southern duck zone.
“Each year, we hear a wide range of desires among waterfowl hunters regarding the timing of duck and Canada goose seasons,” said Van Horn. “The 2007 season, with its 5-day closure in both the duck and Exterior zone Canada Goose seasons and later ending dates in the south, represents a compromise in the season structure among the competing hunter interests.
“Abundant water in much of the southern part of the state during the summer has made for good waterfowl habitat,” adds Van Horn. “Even so, hunters should remember that local water conditions, fall weather and time spent scouting are the most important factors to the success of their waterfowl season. Wisconsin has a wide range of different waterfowl habitats and locations, some are not heavily used, so taking the time to seek out new areas can pay off in a successful hunt.”
The daily bag limit for the full 60 days is six ducks, not to include more than four mallards of which only one may be a hen, two wood ducks, one black duck, two redheads, two scaup, one pintail, and two canvasback. In addition, the bag limit includes five mergansers to include not more than two hooded mergansers. Coot daily bag is 15.
Bag checks will again be performed at select hunting locations in the state this fall. Avian influenza testing will also occur at these sites.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Van Horn - (608) 266-8841
Pheasant stamp required of all hunters this year
Pheasant stocking to increase this fall
MADISON -- Hunters heading out to Wisconsin’s fields in search of ring-necked pheasants this fall should note that beginning this year a pheasant stamp is required to hunt pheasants statewide. Previously the stamp was only required to hunt within specific pheasant management zones.
Sixty percent of the funds generated through the sale of the pheasant stamp are directed to the State Game Farm to support the pheasant stocking program and the day-old-chick program while the other 40 percent goes to managing habitat for wild pheasant populations throughout the state.
This fall Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists plan to stock 70 public hunting grounds with approximately 58,000 game farm pheasants. This is an increase from 2006 when 52,000 game farm pheasants were stocked on 70 public hunting grounds.
People can check the pheasant page of the DNR Web site for a 2007 Pheasant Stocking Information Sheet identifying public hunting grounds slated for pheasant stocking. Stocked public hunting grounds are primarily located in the southern part of the state. Hunters should also carefully verify which public hunting grounds have a 2 p.m. closure and/or allow hen pheasant hunting.
Results from the 2007 pheasant survey indicate a 22 percent increase in the number of pheasants observed by rural mail carriers per 100 miles driven. A spring crowing count survey indicated only a slight decrease of 6 percent in the statewide average of roosters per square mile.
“Generally, given the survey information we have received, it appears that the population has shown little change over the past few years despite year to year fluctuations,” says Sharon Fandel, assistant DNR upland wildlife ecologist, “With a fairly stable pheasant population, hunters can expect a great fall pheasant season.”
However, pheasant numbers have increased dramatically over the past five years or so in some northern counties, including in Polk, Burnett, and to a lesser extent, Barron and southern Washburn, according to Paul Kooiker, DNR wildlife biologist at Grantsburg.
“This is probably a result of recent mild winters, along with lots of grassland and wetland habitat improvements in the region,” he says.
Also new this year, the pheasant hunting regulations are included in the 2007 Wisconsin Small Game Hunting Regulations. In previous years, the pheasant regulations had been published separately.
The 2007 pheasant hunting opens statewide on Oct. 20 at noon and closes on Dec. 31. From Oct. 20-21, the daily bag limit is one cock and possession limit is two. For the remainder of the season the daily bag limit is two cocks and the possession limit is four. Some public hunting grounds have both hen and cock pheasant hunting (requires free permits and tags) and/or 2 p.m. closure times.
See the 2007 Small Game Hunting Regulations available on the hunting and trapping regulations for additional details or visit the pheasant page of the DNR Web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull, DNR upland wildlife ecologist - (608) 267-7861 or Sharon Fandel, assistant upland wildlife ecologist - (608) 261-8458
Youth deer hunt set for October 6-7
MADISON – The fifth annual Youth Gun Deer Hunt in Wisconsin will be Oct. 6-7. This special hunt was established to provide more youth deer hunting opportunity.
The early date means that in most years weather conditions will be mild allowing more time in the field under more comfortable conditions for the youngsters and their hunting mentors. In addition to giving youths their own opportunity to experience the traditions of deer hunting in Wisconsin, there is more time for the mentor to share skills and teach their charges how to hunt safely and ethically.
The hunt will be held in all deer management units (DMUs) statewide, except State Park units, and non-quota units
Youth hunters ages 12 to 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program and possess a gun deer hunting license may participate in this hunt.
“It’s a great time to be in the woods to experience scouting, patterning and hunting deer with a new hunter,” says Keith Warnke, deer and bear ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “These are all the skills that hunters will need to be successful in the future.”
Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Adult mentors may not hunt and cannot accompany more than two youth hunters. Qualified youth hunters may harvest one buck deer on their gun buck deer carcass tag and additional antlerless deer with the appropriate carcass tag.
Earn-a-buck restrictions do not apply in EAB units during the youth hunt. All hunters and their mentors must observe blaze orange clothing requirements All deer, bear, and small game hunters, with the exception of waterfowl hunters, also are required to meet blaze orange requirements on these two days. For more information on the youth hunt, check the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
Hunters are reminded to check their EAB status online as soon as possible.
“Now is the time to prepare for the November gun season. We want to get EAB stickers out to deserving hunters as early as we can,” Warnke says.
More information is on the deer hunting page of the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/index.htm].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023
Safety is the most important part of any hunt
MADISON – As thousands of hunters head into the woods, fields and marshes stalking their favorite game during the fall hunting seasons, Wisconsin DNR safety experts remind them to review and think about firearm safety each and every time they head out.
Essential to any responsible hunting trip is an ironclad adherence to the four basic rules of firearm safety that can be easily recalled by remembering the TAB-K formula.
“Wardens investigate very few, if any, true accidents during any of our hunting seasons,” said Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator with the DNR. “Most of the time, when someone is involved in a shooting incident, the shooter has failed to follow one of the most basic rules of firearm safety covered by TAB-K.”
What is TAB-K?
T - Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
A - Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.
B - Be certain of your target and what lies beyond.
K - Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
“While a hunter certainly may not have intended to harm another person, the fact remains that most hunting-related firearm injuries result from a violation of one or more of these simple rules,” Lawhern said. “It’s not an accident when someone disregards safety, it’s negligent.”
Planning your fall hunting trip also means having your gear in proper working order. Firearms should be cleaned and closely inspected for any signs of mechanical wear that could result in a problem in the field.
But firearms aren’t the only items that should be checked well in advance of a hunting trip. The clothing that you’ll wear and other equipment should also be inspected for signs of wear and tear.
“Anything that might lead you to compromise safety should be repaired, discarded or replaced,” said Lawhern. “A jacket that doesn’t fit right or a scope that isn’t adjusted correctly could distract you when you ought to be concentrating on safety.”
In addition to the TAB-K rules for firearms, here are a few other safety reminders that can contribute to a safe and enjoyable hunt.
Waterfowl
• If hunting from a boat or canoe, follow rules of safe boating. Wear lifejackets.
• Wear blaze orange to and from your boat or blind.
• If hunting with a dog, keep your dog’s safety in mind, too.
• Unload your gun before setting it down. A few incidents happen when the dog steps on the trigger, firing the gun.
Small Game (pheasant, upland birds, squirrel, rabbit, fox, raccoon, etc.)
• When hunting birds, know your safe zone of fire at all times. Know where your partners are and where you can safely shoot.
• Be aware that others might be hunting in a nearby field. Look for signs of other hunters such as vehicles in the parking lot or flashes of blaze orange.
• Squirrel hunting is often best in the morning. Carry a flashlight to help walk through woods without stumbling.
• Only shoot at squirrels that have a safe backstop. If you can see daylight behind the squirrel, think of where your shot could go if you miss your target. If you’re shooting a .22 rifle, that bullet could travel a mile or so.
Last year, Wisconsin recorded a total of 31 hunting-related firearm injuries with four fatalities. Overall, hunting is getting safer due in large part to mandatory hunter education for those born on or after Jan.1, 1973. Many adults are also taking a hunter education class as safety certification is required to hunt game in some popular western states.
“The day will come when we’ll report that there have been no firearm injuries during any hunting season in Wisconsin,” Lawhern said. “But that day will only come when every hunter makes it his or her personal responsibility to practice firearm safety 100 percent of the time.
“All hunters should do their part to create a new tradition in Wisconsin by making our hunting seasons free of firearm injuries,” Lawhern concluded.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern - (608) 266-1317
Hunters reminded that wolves are a protected animal in Wisconsin
SPOONER, Wis. -- The thousands of hunters afield in search of turkey, deer, and bear are reminded that the gray wolf remains a protected species in Wisconsin. A Horicon hunter who ignored that message and shot a wolf last year has been fined and has lost his hunting privileges for one year.
Kurt Heckel shot a female wolf in Douglas County during the firearm deer season in November 2006. The case was settled out of court in May 2007 and Heckel was fined $1,133.
Although gray wolves were removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened species in the western Great Lakes on March 12, 2007, wolves continue to be listed as protected wild animals in Wisconsin. Illegal killing of wolves can result in fines of more than $2,000 and loss of hunting privileges for up to three years.
“Only under specific circumstances can someone shoot a gray wolf,” said Adrian Wydeven, a conservation biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. “Wolves play an important role in nature by culling sick and weak deer, beaver and other mammals and help in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems in northern and parts of central Wisconsin.”
Wydeven said the only time anyone can legally shoot a wolf is when it is in the act of attacking a domestic animal on their own land. He added that a conservation warden must be contacted within 24 hours and the carcass turned over to the DNR.
“We are working with ranchers, farmers, and others to reduce wolf-livestock incidents using lethal and non-lethal methods,” Wydeven said, adding that the department has provided compensation for wolf depredation to livestock and dogs. Trapping and euthanizing problem wolves is handled by agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services. Twendty-eight problems wolves have been trapped and removed so far in 2007.
The DNR continues intense monitoring of the wolf population and in winter 2007 estimated there were 540 to 577 wolves in the state. The population, probably doubled in the spring when pups were born, Wydeven added, but he noted that many of the pups born this year will succumb to natural mortality.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrian Wydeven (715) 762-1363
Crane-watch clinic offers opportunity to view thousands of cranes
BABCOCK, Wis. – The public has an opportunity to join state wildlife biologists in a unique evening viewing the daily return of thousands of sandhill cranes to the Gallagher Marsh on Sandhill Wildlife Area in central Wisconsin during a crane-watch clinic that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27.
These majestic birds, once nearly extinct in Wisconsin, have rebounded and now number in the tens of thousands. Following a day of feeding in surrounding agricultural fields, thousands of the cranes return to the marsh each evening in the fall prior to their migration south for the winter.
Participants should arrive by 3 p.m. and expect to leave around 7 p.m. They should dress warmly in neutral colored clothes (camouflage preferred) and waterproof boots. Participants should consider bringing cameras, binoculars or spotting scopes, and should show up rain or shine because it doesn’t matter to the birds!
Registration is limited to 25 people on a first-come, first-served basis and is confirmed by mailing in a registration fee of $15 per person by Oct. 17. Checks should be 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. Send your registration fee 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>.
More information on the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center can be found on the DNR Web site. Use the search engine found at the top of the home page and type in key word "sandhill" to reach the URL: <http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/reclands/sandhill>.
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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandhill Skills Center at: (715) 884-6333
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 December 31
• Illegal during this time to shine for wild animals between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
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).*
September 29
• Canada goose season opens in the Mississippi River Subzone and runs through Oct. 7. Season reopens Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 27.
• Duck season opens at 9 a.m. in the Southern Zone through Oct. 7 and then reopens Oct. 13 through Dec. 2.
September 30
• Trout season closes on inland waters and on rivers flowing into Lake Superior from their mouths to the first impassable permanent barrier (unless listed otherwise in trout regulations).*
• Lake trout season on Lake Superior closes.*
• Set or bank pole and setline fishing season on specified waters in the Wolf and Fox river basins closes. Check the current Setline, Set or Bank Pole Regulations for open waters.*
• Period 1 Collins Zone Canada goose closes.
October 1
• Period 2 Collins Zone Canada goose runs through Oct. 21.
• 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 beginning on Sept. 15. The rule was changed this year. Previously the date had been Oct. 1 (see regulations for details).*
October 6-7
• Youth deer hunt. Youth hunters ages 12 to 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program and possess a gun deer hunting license may participate in this hunt. Qualified hunters may harvest one buck deer on their gun buck deer carcass tag and additional antlerless deer with the appropriate carcass tag. Adults accompanying the youth may not gun deer and cannot accompany more than two youths. All hunting regulations apply, including blaze orange clothing requirements. Archery hunting remains open but archers must wear blaze orange. See regulations for additional requirements.
October 6-14
• Special deer hunt open to people with disabilities who have a disabled hunting permit. The hunts are held by landowners who have agreed to sponsor the hunters on their property. Hunters must have registered to participate at a designated sponsor location by Sept. 1.
October 7
• Canada goose season closes in the South Exterior Zone. Season reopens in the South Zone Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 14.
• Duck season closes in the Southern Zone; reopens Oct. 13 through Dec. 2.
October 9
• Black bear season closes. See current Wisconsin Bear Hunting Regulations for specific season dates and zones.
October 13
• Canada goose season reopens in the South Zone Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 14.
• Canada goose season reopens in the Mississippi River Subzone and runs Dec. 27.
• Duck season reopens in the Southern Zone through Dec. 2.
October 15
• Hook-and-line lake sturgeon season on designated waters closes (except Wis./Mich. boundary waters season closes Nov. 1). See current Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations.*
October 20
• Pheasant season opens at noon; runs through Dec. 31.
• Ruffed grouse in the zone B opens through Dec. 8.
• Sharp-tailed grouse by permit opens through Nov. 5.
• Bobwhite quail season opens at noon through Dec. 6.
• Hungarian partridge season opens at noon through Dec. 31.
• Jackrabbit season opens through Nov. 15.
• Cottontail rabbit opens at noon in southern zone through Feb. 28.
• Raccoon gun and trapping for state residents opens through Jan. 31
• Red and gray fox hunting and trapping in the northern zone opens through Feb. 15.
• Coyote trapping season opens in the northern zone through Feb. 15, 2007.
• Hunting and trapping season for bobcat north of Hwy. 64 through Dec. 31.
• Muskrat season in the northern zone opens through Feb. 28, 2007.
• Mink season in the northern zone opens through Feb. 28, 2007.
• Fisher trapping season opens in various zones, through Dec. 31.
October 21
• Period 2 Collins Zone closes.
October 22
• Period 3 Collins Zone Canada goose runs through Nov. 16.
October 26
• Periods 1 and 2 Horicon Zone Canada goose close.
October 27
• Periods 3 and 4 Horicon Zone Canada goose run through Dec. 16.
• Fox season opens in the southern zone, through Feb. 15, 2007.
• Coyote trapping season opens in southern zone through Feb. 15, 2007.
• Mink season opens in central (through Dec. 31) and Winnebago (through March 15) zones.
• Muskrat season opens in south zone (through Feb. 28) and Winnebago zone (through March 15).
October 30
• Mourning dove season closes.*
October 31
• Lake trout season closes on waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan and their tributaries.*
• Deadline to purchase Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing licenses.*
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
September 25 – The Science Council, which is part of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, will hold its first meeting from noon to 4 p.m., at the Department of Natural Resources Science Operations Center, 2801 Progress Drive, Madison. The purpose of the meeting is to begin to form a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin and other key scientists in their respective fields of expertise. The agenda includes: introduction of Science Council members and support staff; brief history and vision for the future of WICCI; clarification of the expectations of Science Council members; discussion of the mission of the Science Council; discussion of the organization of the Science Council; discussion of the role of the Science Council; relation of Science Council to advisory committee; suggestions for members/participants in WICCI Advisory Committee; identification of potential working group topics; potential funding sources for WICCI activities; and Science Council communication processes. For information contact David Webb, Chief, DNR Environmental Science Services, at (608) 266-0245.
September 27 – A public hearing pursuant to §§ 285.13(1), 285.61(7) and 285.62(5), Wis. Stats., on construction / operation air pollution permit No. 07-RSG-185 and 230193920-F01, including plans and specifications, for the construction and operation of sand and gravel extraction facility for Thelen Sand & Gravel, Inc., Country Road KD, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Hearing Room of the Kenosha County Center, 19600 75 St, Bristol. The Department of Natural Resources 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 are available at the DNR Sturtevant Service Center, 9531 Rayne Road, Suite 4, Sturtevant, WI 53177; and at the Genoa City Library, 126 Freeman Street, Genoa City, WI 53218-0727, or contact Ruhun Goonewardena, 262-884-2339. This information is also available on the DNR Web site at: [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/permits/APM_toc.htm]. DNR will hold a public hearing to receive public comments. All comments received by the Department on the proposed project will be considered by the Department in its final decision regarding this project. After the public hearing, a final determination will be made on whether to issue or deny the air pollution control permit. For information contact Tom Steidl at (608) 266-0235.
October 4 - A Class 1 contested hearing case pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 227.01(3)(a) in the matter of the application of Maryke and C.J. Schmidt for Water Quality Certification to place a culvert and fill 0.15 acres of wetland on property located in the Town of Ahnapee, Kewaunee County will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room at the Algoma Public Library, 406 Fremont Street, Algoma. Maryke and C.J. Schmidt, 2551 Oak Ridge Circle, De Pere, Wisconsin, 54115, filed an application with the Department of Natural Resources for water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act and Wis. Admin. Code § NR 299, to place fill in 0.15 acres of cedar swamp wetland and place a culvert for construction of a private driveway. The proposed project is located in the NE ¼, SE ¼, South 33, Town 25 North, Range 25 East, Town of Ahnapee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources denied the application for Water Quality Certification as outlined in a letter to Maryke and C.J. Schmidt dated April 10, 2006. On May 15, 2006, the Schmidts filed a request for a contested case hearing. On May 30, 2006, the Department granted a contested case hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.42. On August 13, 2007, the Department filed a Request for Hearing with the Division of Hearings and Appeals. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
October 5 - The Accumulated Sediment Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will meet at 10 a.m. in the Board Room of the Offices of the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison to begin developing a regulatory framework for the regulation/management of the sediment that accumulates in stormwater detention ponds. The committee will begin by discussion the TAC's objectives, the process to arrive at possible rule/exemption language and ultimately any documents to assist the user/stakeholder in implementation. For more information contact Tom Portle at (608) 267-0877.
October 9-10 - Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 31.06 and 31.185, a Class 1 contested case hearing in the matter of the application of North Central Power Company, Inc. for abandonment of the Grimh Dam on the Couderay River, Village of Radisson, Sawyer County will commence at 9 a.m. on Oct. 9, at the Radisson Community Center, 3795N Clark Street, Radisson. The hearing will continue, if necessary, on Oct. 10 at the same location. The issues for hearing are whether the application of abandonment shall be granted or denied and, if it is granted, whether the applicant shall be required to comply with any conditions in order to preserve the public interest in navigable waters, to promote public safety, and to protect life, health and property. North Central Power Company, Inc. (NCPC), 104 South Pine St., Grantsburg, is the owner of the Grimh Dam, a hydropower facility located approximately 1.5 miles upstream of the confluence of the Couderay and Chippewa Rivers in Section 22 (NW ¼ of SE ¼), Township 38 North, Range 7 West, Sawyer County in the Village of Radisson. After an inspection of the Grimh Dam, the Department of Natural Resources issued an order to the NCPC to drawdown the impoundment held by the Grimh Dam and not refill the impoundment unless and until the dam was reconstructed. As an alternative to reconstruction of the dam, the department gave the NCPC the option of abandoning and removing the dam. By application dated July 3, 2003, the NCPC applied for a permit pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 31.185 to abandon the dam. On July 3, 2007, the Division of Hearings and Appeals received the Request for Hearing from the Department of Natural Resources. For more information call the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865.
October 12 - Pursuant to §§ 285.11(1) and (6) and 285.21(1)(a), Stats., interpreting § 285.21(1)(a), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to chs. NR 404 and 484, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to ambient air quality standards for total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter (PM) and affecting small business at 1:30 p.m. in Room G09, of the State Natural Resources building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison.. The State Implementation Plan developed under § 285.11(6), Stats., is also revised. The proposed rule will repeal ambient air standards for TSP and annual PM10 from ch. NR 404 and federal monitoring requirements for TSP and annual PM10 from ch. NR 484. The proposed rule will adopt U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgated national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5 into ch. NR 404 and incorporate the corresponding federal PM2.5 monitoring requirements for that ambient air standards into ch. NR 484. The proposed rules would assure that the Wisconsin Administrative Code is consistent with the NAAQS for particulate matter, as required under s. 285.21(1)(a), Stats., and reflect the science of particle pollution effects on human health. If any areas in the state are designated as nonattainment for the new air quality standards, the Department is required to develop an air quality state implementation plan to ensure that the ambient air quality standards are attained and maintained in those areas. The proposed rule may have an impact on small businesses emitting particulate matter. The department 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. The proposed rule and supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate may be viewed and downloaded 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-23-07). Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Bill Adamski, DNR Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by e-mail to William.Adamski@wisconsin.gov by Oct. 22, 2007. For information contact Bill Adamski at (608) 266-2660.
Meetings
September 25 - The Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Assessment Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point to assess a number of invasive terrestrial vertebrate species and make recommendations for their classification within DNR Administrative Rules. For information contact person: Dave Matheys, DNR Wildlife Biologist, at (608) 637-3938.
September 25 – The Invasive Species Classification for Herbaceous Terrestrial Plants work group will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 311 of the state Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection building, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison. The Wisconsin DNR has been charged with developing administrative rules that will regulate the use of certain invasive species. DNR staff have been working closely with the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species and its Research and Regulations Committees. Voting will take place by the Species Assessment Group to recommend ratings to place the species into regulatory categories. The group will meet again on Oct. 5 in the conference room of the DNR Science Operations Center, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, if everything is not completed on September 25. For information contact Kelly Kearns at (608) 267-5066.
September 25- The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming – Warming Carbon Tax/Cap and Trade Work Group will meet from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lowell Center (UW-Madison Campus) Rooms B1B and A 610 Langdon Street, Madison. The agenda includes discussion of carbon cap-and-trade policy and carbon offsets policy. For information contact Lisa Stefanik at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin at (608) 266-1125.
September 25-26 – The state Natural Resources Board will meet at The Four Seasons Resort, N16800 Shoreline Drive, Pembine. For information contact Laurie J. Ross, Natural Resources Board Executive Staff Assistant at (608) 267-7420.
September 26 - Pursuant to s. 285.13(1), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public informational meeting to review its ambient air quality monitoring network throughout Wisconsin at 1 p.m. in Room 413, of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. In 1981 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) approved a portion of the Wisconsin State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Clean Air Act monitoring plan dealing with air quality surveillance, which is required by Parts 51 and 58 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. That monitoring plan presented a detailed scheme for ambient air quality monitoring, including a detailed proposal for a comprehensive network of ambient monitors throughout Wisconsin. In addition, the Department proposed to conduct an annual review of the monitoring network and to notify the public of significant changes in the network by conducting a public informational meeting. This meeting will review the changes that occurred in 2007 and will present an outline of changes proposed for 2008. An explanation will be provided for each deviation from the previous year’s plan as well as the proposed changes. Public comments on the changes will also be received at the informational meeting. In 1987, 1997, and 2006 the USEPA promulgated ambient air quality standards for PM10 and PM2.5 under 40 CFR 50.6 and 40 CFR 50.7 respectively. Appendix K to 40 CFR part 50, "Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM10", in section 2.4, "Adjustments for Exceptional Events and Trends," allows state agencies conducting monitoring the opportunity to remove monitoring data from consideration for SIP purposes, if the agency can demonstrate that the data resulted from an "exceptional event", provided that the state presents the evidence for its reasons to delete or flag the data at the public hearing. In addition, Appendix N to 40 CFR part 50, "Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM2.5", in section 1.0(b), indicates that in some cases, it may be appropriate to exclude data resulting from uncontrollable or natural events such as structural fires or high winds. Through July 2007 there have been no exceptional or uncontrollable particulate matter events in Wisconsin. Written comments on the monitoring network may be submitted directly to Bruce Rodger, c/o Air Monitoring Section, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, no later than Sept. 30, 2007. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral comments presented at the meeting. A copy of the proposed revision to the Monitoring Plan is available for public inspection at the Bureau of Air Management, 7th Floor, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, and on the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/monitor/network/review.htm]. For more information contact Bruce Rodger at (608) 266-1722.
September 27 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming– Agriculture and Forestry Work Group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. For information contact Allison Hellman at (608) 266- 8130 or Allison.Hellman@wisconsin.gov.
September 27 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming – Conservation and Energy Efficiency Workgroup will meet from 1 to 4:30 p.m. a the Madison Gas and Electric Company Lunchroom Annex, 133 South Blair Street, Madison. The group will continue the review/discussion of draft policy templates and finalize a policy recommendation package. For information contact Lisa Stefanik at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin at (608) 266-1125.
October 4 – The Groundwater Advisory Committee created by 2003 WI Act 310 will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room G09 of the Natural Resources building (GEF 2) at 101 S. Webster St., Madison. Contact Jill Jonas at (608) 267-7545 for more information or view updated agenda on the drinking water pages of the DNR Web site.
October 4 - The Department of Natural Resources will host a public information meeting to update area residents on the agency’s chronic wasting disease (CWD) control efforts. The meeting, which will be conducted under an informal Open House format, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. in the UW-Baraboo cafeteria, 1006 Connie Rd., Baraboo. DNR staff will discuss the status of CWD management in general, and the Baraboo Surveillance Area in particular. The Baraboo Surveillance Area, including Devil’s Lake State Park, marks the northern most extent of the deer disease in Wisconsin. Wildlife experts recommend preventing CWD spread by eliminating outbreaks near the edge of the known infection area. For this reason, the DNR is offering free disease testing of deer killed by hunters this fall in the surveillance area. For information contact Don Bates, CWD Operations Supervisor, Dodgeville, at (608) 935-1947 or Nancy Frost, CWD Biologist, Dodgeville at (608) 935-1924.
October 5 - Representatives of the Wisconsin DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Eagle Lake Management District will meet from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sturtevant DNR Service Center, 9531 Rayne Road, Suite IV, Sturtevant. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss recent developments regarding implementation of the Eagle Lake Management Plan - including delaying the rotenone treatment, results and expectations for herbicide management, as well as grant issues related to the Plan. For more information, contact Craig Helker, DNR Water Resources Biologist, at (262) 884-2357.
October 13 – The Brule River State Forest will hold its annual fall public open house meeting at noon at the Cloverland Town Hall, located off County Highway 13 between Skoglund Road and Balsam Bend Road. The agenda includes presentations by Brule River State Forest staff on their annual operations and projects including; recreation program, law enforcement, development projects, real estate transactions and the recent land purchase in the Town of Cloverland. Additional information is available on the Department’s Web site at
http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/stateforests/ or by calling the State Forest Headquarters (715) 372-5678 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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/
