Upcoming WDNR Public Hearings and Meetings 9.16.08
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call the contact person listed for the meeting or hearing with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
* Hearings
* Meetings
Hearings
* September 25 - Pursuant to §§ 285.13(1), Wis. Stats., and NR § 406.04(1)(i)4., Wis. Adm. Code, a public hearing to receive comments on the air pollution control research and testing exemption application submitted by Fox Valley Energy Center for Research and Testing an Air Contaminant Source located at 23 1 Millview Drive, Neenah, Winnebago County, will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers Neenah City Hall 2 11 Walnut Street, Neenah. Fox Valley Energy Center, LLC, submitted to the Department of Natural Resources an application for exemption from Air Pollution Control permit requirements to research and test the technical feasibility and optimal conditions of burning tire derived fuel and dried paper mill sludge instead of coal and dried paper mill sludge. The DNR has analyzed these materials and has made a preliminary determination that the project should meet applicable criteria for exemption as stated in § NR 406.04(1)(i), Wis. Adm. Code. The DNR finds that the proposed test will not present a significant hazard to public health, safety or welfare, or to the environment. This preliminary determination does not constitute approval from the Air Management Program or any other DNR sections which may also require a review of the project. Information, including plans and the DNR's analysis regarding this proposal, is available for public inspection at the DNR, Bureau of Air Management Headquarters, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, DNR Northeast Region Air Program, Oshkosh Service Center, 625 E. County Road Y, Suite 700, Oshkosh, and at the Neenah Public Library, 240 E. Wisconsin Ave., P.O. Box 569, Neenah. On August 25, 2008, a notice was published in the Appleton Post Crescent soliciting written comments from the public on the proposed project and the DNR's analysis, and preliminary determination and giving the opportunity to request a public hearing. A citizen requested DNR to hold a public hearing on the research and testing exemption application and proposed project. All comments received by the DNR at the public hearing will be considered prior to making a final decision regarding the proposed project. After the public hearing, a final decision will be made on whether to issue or deny the air pollution control research and testing exemption. For more information contact Paul 0. Yeung of DNR, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, or by phone at (608)266-0672.
* September 30 - Pursuant to §§ 285.13(1) and 285.61(7), Wis. Stats., the DNR will hold a public hearing to receive public comments on proposed air pollution control construction and operation permits for the Dairyland Power Coop Alma Station, Town of Alma, Buffalo County. The public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. in the Buffalo County Courthouse, 407 Second St., Alma. Dairyland Power Coop submitted to the Department of Natural Resources a permit application, including plans and specifications for construction and operation of two existing boilers with the addition of overfire air and low-NOx burners. (Air Pollution Control Construction Permit No. 08-SDD-147 and Air Pollution Control Operation Permit No. 606034110-P14.). The DNR has prepared an Environmental Assessment of the proposal. This preliminary de¬termination does not constitute approval from the Air Management Program or any other DNR sections which may also require a review of the project. DNR has made a preliminary determination that the application meets state and federal air pollution control requirements and that the permit should be approved. The permit application, the DNR’s analysis, draft permit and Environmental Assessment can be reviewed at the DNR Bureau of Air Management Headquarters, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster, St., Madison; DNR West Central Region Air Program, LaCrosse Area Office, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, Room 104, LaCrosse; and at the Alma Public Library, 312 N. Main St.. Written comments on the application, DNR’s review of the application or on the Environmental Assessment should be received by September 30, 2008. Comments should be mailed to Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. Attn.: Steven Dunn. For more information contact Steven Dunn at 608-267-0566.
* September 30 - Pursuant to §§ 285.13(1), 285.61(7)(a) and 285.62(5)(a), Wis. Stats., a public hearing to receive comments on the air pollution control permit application for the construction / modification and operation of the existing United Wisconsin Grain Producers, LLC, fuel grade ethanol facility at West 1231 Tessman Road, Friesland, Columbia County, will be held at 1 p.m. in the Randolph Town Hall , 109 S. Madison St., Friesland. United Wisconsin Grain Producers submitted to the Department of Natural Resources a permit application, including plans and specifications for modification and operation of the thermal oxidizer / heat recovery steam generator for conversion to a conventional boiler, use of an oxidizer for the DDGS dryer and other processes, construction of a corn oil collection process, corn oil storage tanks, and other changes. (Air Pollution Construction Permit # 08-DCF-120; Operation Permit # 111030040-F03). DNR has made a preliminary determination that the application meets state and federal air pollution control requirements and that the permit should be approved. The permit application, the DNR’s analysis and draft permit can be reviewed using the air permit search function found on the Air Permit page of the DNR Web site and at the DNR Bureau of Air Management Headquarters, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, DNR South Central Region Air Program, Reedsburg Area Office, and at the Jane Morgan Memorial Library, 109 W. Edgewater St., PO Box 477, Cambria. Written comment on the application or DNR’s review of it or wishing to request a public hearing should be received by October9, 2008. Send comments to Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. Attn.: Don C. Faith. All comments received by DNR on the proposed project will be considered by DNR prior to making its final decision regarding this project For more information contact Don C. Faith III at 608-267-3135.
* October 1 - A public hearing in the matter of an application by the City of Franklin for water quality certification of the Federal Clean Water Act to fill 0.053 acres of wetland to connect south Hillendale Drive and West Marquette Avenue within the road right-of-way located in the City of Franklin, Milwaukee County, will be held at 10 a.m. in Room 40 at the Milwaukee State Office Building, 819 North Sixth St., Milwaukee. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
* October 3 - Pursuant to §§ 285.13(1),and 285.61(7), Wis. Stats., a public hearing to receive comments on an air pollution control construction and operation permit application for construction and operation of wood fired, wood pellet production facility submitted by Superior Wood Products will be held at 2 pm in the Keystone Town Hall , 23960 Klobucher Road, Mason. Superior Wood Products, 16665 Hwy 2, Ino, Bayfield County, submitted to the Department of Natural Resources a permit application, including plans and specifications for construction and operation of wood fired, wood pellet production facility. (Air Pollution Control Construction Permit # 08-DCF-060 and Operation Permit # 804070740-F01.) DNR has made a preliminary determination that the application meets state and federal air pollution control requirements and that the permit should be approved. The permit application, the DNR’s analysis and draft permit prepared by the DNR are available for review on the air permit page of the DNR Web site and at the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Air Management Headquarters, Seventh Floor, 101 South Webster St., Madison; DNR Northern Region Air Program, Superior Area Office, 1401 Tower Avenue, Superior; and at the Drummond Public Library, Owen Ave., PO Box 23, Drummond, or by contacting Don C. Faith III at 608-267-3135 or by e-mail at Don.FaithIII@wisconsin.gov. On July 31, 2008, a notice was published in the County Journal (Washburn, Bayfield County) soliciting written comments from the public on the proposed project and the DNR's analysis and preliminary determination and giving the opportunity to request a public hearing. On August 1, 2008, a notice was published in the Ashland Daily Press also soliciting written comments from the public. Comments were received including requests for a public hearing. The session will open with a period to answer questions about the proposed plant and the air permitting process. All comments received by the DNR at the public hearing portion, and prior to the close of the comment period (extended to October 9, 2008) will be considered prior to making a final decision regarding the proposed project. After the public hearing and close of the public comment period, a final decision will be made on whether to issue or deny the air pollution control construction permit. For more information contact Don C. Faith DNR Bureau of Air Management, at (608)267-3135.
* October 6 – A contested case hearing in the matter of the Department of Natural Resources’ decision not to reopen its historic BRRTS Number 03-41-095653, relating to KJG Investment, Inc., on property located at 9922 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Room 40 at the Milwaukee State Office Building, 819 North Sixth Street, Milwaukee. It will continue, if necessary, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. at the same location. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
* October 17 - Pursuant to §§ 29.014, 227.11 and 227.14, Stats., interpreting §§ 29.014, 29.041 and 29.885, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on Natural Resources Board Emergency Order No. WM-18-08(E) pertaining to the 2008 migratory game bird season at 2 p.m. in Room 408, Natural Resources State Office Building, 101 South Webster St., Madison (Entrance at the Webster Street doors only). This emergency order took effect on August 30, 2008. This rule order establishes the season length and bag limits for the 2008 Wisconsin migratory game bird seasons. For ducks, the state is divided into two zones each with 60-day seasons. The season begins at 9 a.m. September 27 and continues for 60 consecutive days in the north, closing on November 25. In the South, the season begins at 9 a.m. on October 4 and continues through October 12, followed by a 5-day split, and then reopens on October 18 and continues through December 7. The special season for hunters age 12 through 15 will occur on September 20 and 21. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks including no more than: 4 mallards, of which only one may be a hen, one black duck, one pintail, 3 wood ducks and 2 redheads. The daily bag limit may include 1 scaup except that from Oct. 18 to Nov. 6 in the north zone and Nov. 1 to Nov. 20 in the south zone the daily bag may include 2 scaup. The USFWS has reduced the daily bag limit on scaup from 2 for the entire season to 1 for a portion of the season in response to a declining population trend from the 1970’s until about 2001. Scaup are, however, still the third most abundant duck in continental surveys at 3.7 million. The Mississippi Flyway was given a scaup season of 60 days with 40 days at a 1 bird daily bag and 20 days at a 2 bird daily bag. Wisconsin had the option to pick where the 20 days with a 2 bird bag fall during the season. This rule order does not allow the harvest of canvasback ducks which is a stipulation of the federal framework. For Canada geese, the state is apportioned into 3 goose hunting zones: Horicon, Collins and Exterior. Other special goose management subzones within the Exterior Zone include Brown County, Burnett County, Rock Prairie and the Mississippi River. Season lengths are: Collins Zone - 67 days (three hunting periods, September 16 – October 5, October 6 – 26, October 27 – November 21); Horicon Zone - 92 days (2 hunting periods, first period beginning September 16 and the second on November 3); Exterior Zone in the northern duck zone - 85 days (Sept. 20 – Dec. 13); Exterior Zone in the southern duck zone – 85 days (Sept. 20 – Oct. 12 and Oct. 18 – Dec. 18) and Mississippi River subzone - 85 days (Oct. 4 – Oct. 12 and Oct. 18 – Jan. 1). The Burnett County subzone is closed to Canada goose hunting. The statewide daily bag limit for Canada geese in all zones is 2 birds per day during the open seasons within the zones. This rule order adds ten days to the mourning dove season so that it extends to November 9 which is consistent with a new opportunity offered in the federal hunting season framework. Finally, this rule corrects an inconsistency between the section that establishes shooting hours and the section that establishes when the hunting season begins. Both should indicate a 9 a.m. start on the first day of the duck season but the section on shooting hours incorrectly describes a noon start. Written comments on the emergency rule may be submitted to Kent Van Horn, Bureau of Wildlife Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 no later than October 21, 2008. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the hearing. For more information or a copy of the emergency rule may contact Kent Van Horn at (608) 266 8841.
* October 20 - Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 281.15 and 281.36 and Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 103 and NR 299 a Class 1 contested case public hearing in the matter of an application by the Village of Howard for Water Quality Certification of the Federal Clean Water Act to fill .63 acres of wetland for the purpose of industrial development in wetlands located in the Village of Howard, Brown County, will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Room 152A at the Green Bay State Office Building, 200 North Jefferson St., Green Bay. The hearing will continue on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, if necessary, in Room 152B at Green Bay State Office Building. The Village of Howard, 1336 Cornell Road, Green Bay, Wisconsin, filed an application with the Department of Natural Resources for water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act, Wis. Stat. §§ 281.15 and 281.36 and Wis. Admin. Code §§ NR 103 and 299. The Village of Howard proposes to place fill affecting .63 acres of wetland and construct four railroad spurs through wetlands for the purpose of industrial development. The proposed project is located in the SW ¼ of Section 3, Township 24 North, Range 20 East, Village of Howard, Brown County. The Department of Natural Resources evaluated this application and determined that there was not reasonable assurance that the proposal would comply with standards pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code §§ NR 103.08(3) and NR 299.04. The Department of Natural Resources denied the application in a letter dated June 24, 2008. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at - (608) 266-7709.
* October 20 - Pursuant to §§ 29.604 and 227.11, Stats., interpreting § 29.064, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on the repeal of s. NR 27.03(3)(b)2. and (3)(b)8., Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the trumpeter swan and osprey at 4 p.m. in Room G09, Natural Resources State Office Building, 101 South Webster St., Madison (Entrance at the Webster Street door only) The proposed rule will delete trumpeter swan from the Wisconsin endangered species list and the osprey from the Wisconsin threatened species list. The proposed rule changes are based solely on the biological recovery of these species in Wisconsin. The Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Web site (exit DNR). Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted until October 29, 2008 via U.S. mail to Sumner Matteson, Bureau of Endangered Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. 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 fiscal estimate contact Sumner Matteson at (608) 266-1571.
* December 17 - A contested case hearing in the matter of the order for immediate drawdown of Oakwood Lake, an Impoundment of the Merrillan Mills Dam on Halls Creek, Jackson County, will commence at 10:30 a.m. in the County Board Room, Jackson County Courthouse, 307 Main Street, Black River Falls. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-7709.
Meetings
* Wisconsin Conservation Congress public meeting notices
* September 16 - The DNR Fire Department Advisory Council will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Rodeway Inn and Suites, 1738 Comfort Drive, Tomahawk, regarding wild fire control issues affecting fire departments in Wisconsin. For information contact Chris Klahn at (608) 297-2214.
* September 16 - The Wisconsin Council on Forestry will meet on at 9:30 a.m. at the Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison. Woody Biomass Harvest Guidelines and the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts are among the items on the agenda. Please contact Mary Brown at 261-7599 for further information.
* September 16 - An informational meeting on a Department of Natural Resources proposal to designate portions of Lake Menomin, Dunn County as critical habitat will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Dunn County Government Center; 800 Wilson Ave.; Menomonie. Critical habitat is of vital importance to water quality, hunting, fishing, and natural beauty of Wisconsin’s lakes and streams. The Department has made a tentative determination that specific locations in Lake Menomin contain:
o Fish and wildlife habitat, including specific sites necessary for breeding, nesting, nursery, and feeding.
o Physical features that ensure protection of water quality.
o Reaches of bank, shore or bed that are predominately natural in appearance (not man-made or artificial) or that screen man-made or artificial features.
The identified locations are eligible for critical habitat designation, and if approved, they will be sufficiently preserved to ensure healthy aquatic systems and protected to maintain the value of the lake. Special permit conditions may apply to landowners whom wish alter critical habitat sites through activities such as dredging, irrigation, building dams, or establishing culverts, piers, and docks. Furthermore, the chemical treatment of aquatic plants is unlikely to be approved in designated sites. Site-specific reviews will need to be performed by DNR staff in order to determine if the proposed site meets these conditions. More information on critical habitat designation is available on the Critical Habitat Designations page of the DNR Web site.. Additionally, maps illustrating locations of proposed Critical Habitat Areas and the survey data may be reviewed at the Eau Claire DNR Service Center]. Before the Department proceeds further toward a decision on the designation, Wisconsin. Any person may request a public hearing by writing to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 1300 W. Clairemont Avenue; Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54702; attn. Deborah Konkel by U.S. mail postmarked no later than 30 days following publication of this newspaper notice. Because the Department must base its designation on whether the project or activity meets legal standards, the factual information provided at the hearing should relate to whether or not Critical Habitat Areas are present. For information contact Deborah Konkel at 715-839-2782.
* September 18-19 - The DNR Public Land Management Specialist Team will meet at 9 a.m. at the DNR Dodgeville Service Center, 1500 N. Johns St., Dodgeville, regarding policy on public land management and handbook updates. For more information contact: Chad Keranen - Division of Forestry, phone (715) 359-3950.
* September 19 - The DNR Disabled Advisory Council will meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Buckhorn State Park. For further information please contact Andy Janicki, DNR accessibility coordinator, at 608-267-7490 or andrew.janicki@wisconsin.gov.
* September 23-24 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 1000 Imperial Ave., Rothschild. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* September 24 - The Wisconsin Geographic Names Council (WGNC) will meet at 9 a.m. at the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Building, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, to discuss and make recommendations on requests to name a number of unnamed lakes and streams, to correct the names of two lakes, and to name one unnamed upland feature (a hill). Recommendations made by the WGNC go to the Administrator, Division of Lands, Wiscsonsin DNR for approval. A second agenda item will involve making recommendations on WGNC operating policies and procedures. For information, including proposed names and locations of features to be considered, contact Kate Fitzgerald, Acting Executive Secretary, Wisconsin Geographic Names Council at (608) 267-2764.
* September 26 & 27 - The Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry has begun the process of updating the 15-year master plan for the Flambeau River State Forest, and will conduct two public open house meetings to present the property assessment to citizens, interest groups, recreational users and local units of government. For more information or to request a review copy of the “Regional & Property Analysis” contact: Jim Halvorson, FRSF State Forest Superintendent, Wisconsin DNR, W1613 County Road W, Winter WI 54896-7501 or call 715-332-5271 or e-mail [james.halvorson@wisconsin.gov]. The meetings will be held:
o September 26, Park Falls - 3 to 7 p.m. at Park Falls City Hall, 400 Fourth Ave. South (Highway 13).
o September 27, Winter – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Big Bear Lodge Restaurant, W1614 Highway W (Across from FRSF Headquarters).
* October 21-22 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet at a location to be announced in Eagle Riverr. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* December 9-10 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
* January 27-28, 2009 - The State Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison. Check the Natural Resources Board Web pages for the current agenda. For information contact Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, at (608) 267-7420.
