The amendments to the atrazine rule will affect small businesses in Wisconsin. The greatest small business impact of the rule will be on users of atrazine -- farmers who grow corn. The proposed prohibition areas contain approximately 18,000 acres. Assuming that 50% of this land is in corn and that 50% of these acres are treated with atrazine, then 4,500 acres of corn will be affected. This acreage would represent between 25 and 60 producers, depending on their corn acreage. These producers are small businesses, as defined by s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats. Secondary effects may be felt by distributors and applicators of atrazine pesticides, crop consultants and equipment dealers. Since the secondary effects relate to identifying and assisting farmers in implementing alternative week control methods, these effects will most likely result in additional or replacement business.
Specific economic impacts of alternative pest control techniques are discussed in the environmental impact statement for this rule.
Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Procedures Required for Compliance:
The maximum application rate for atrazine use in Wisconsin is based on soil texture. This may necessitate referring to a soil survey map or obtaining a soil test. While this activity is routine, documentation would need to be maintained to justify the selected application rate. A map delineating application areas must be prepared if the field is subdivided and variable application rates are used. This procedure is already rquired under the current atrazine rule.
All users of atrazine, including farmers, will need to maintain specific records for each application. This procedure is already required under the current atrazine rule.
Atrazine cannot be used in certain areas of the State where groundwater contamination exceeds the atrazine enforcement standard in s. NR 140.10, Wis. Adm. Code.
Professional Skills Required to Comply:
The rule affects how much atrazine can be applied and on which fields. Because overall use of atrazine will be reduced in the State, alternative weed control techniques may be needed in some situations. These techniques may include different crop rotations, reduced atrazine rates, either alone or in combination with other herbicides, or combinations of herbicides and mechanical weed control measures.
While alternative weed control techniques are available, adoption of these techniques on individual farms will in some cases requires assistance. In the past this type of assistance has been provided by University Extension personnel and farm chemical dealers. In recent years many farmers have been using crop consultants to scout fields, identify specific pest problems and recommend control measures. The department anticipates these three information sources will continue to be used as the primary source of information, both on whether atrazine can be used and which alternatives are likely to work for each situation.
Summary of Comments from Legislative Committees:
The rule was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Agriculture, and Local Affairs and to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on December 21, 1996. The department received no comments from either committee.
Ch. DOC 309 - Stamping outgoing prisoner mail.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule is not expected to impact on small businesses as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats.
Summary of Comments:
No comments reported.
Ch. DOC 328 - Incapacitating agents and firearms use by parole, sanctions and probation staff members.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule is not expected to impact on small businesses as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats.
Summary of Comments:
No comments reported.
Ch. HSS 90 - Birth to 3 Program.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
These rule changes will not directly affect small businesses as “small business” is defined in s. 227.114 (1)(a), Stats. They apply to the Department and to county agencies administering the Birth to 3 Program. County agencies may contract with medical and other service providers organized as small businesses to provide early intervention services, in which case the small business providers, like other public and private providers of services to eligible children and their families, must comply with the rules for provision of services. The rules also establish parental liability for the cost of non-core services. This means that, with the parent's consent, third party payers could be expected to pay at least a part of the cost of services. However, it is unlikely that any third party payer is a small business.
Summary of Comments of Legislative Standing Committees:
No comments were received.
S. Ins 18.07 (5) (b) - HIRSP rate decrease.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has determined that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses and therefore a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Summary of Comments of Legislative Standing Committees:
The legislative standing committees had no comments on this rule.
Chs. NR 190 & 191 - Lake management planning grants and lake protection grants.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
The proposed rules are grant programs and do not regulate businesses. Therefore, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees:
The rules were reviewed by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Agriculture and Environmental Resources Committee. There were no comments.
Ch. NR 25 - Commercial fishing for whitefish and chubs in Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
The proposed order will directly affect licensed commercial fishers. No additional compliance or reporting requirements will be imposed as a result of these rule changes.
Summary of Comments by Legislative Review Committees:
The rules were reviewed by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Agriculture and Environmental Resources Committee. There were no comments.
S. PD 6.05 (1) (b) - Reimbursement from parents of juveniles.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
S. PD 3.04 - Partial indigency.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
Ch. Trans 301 - Human services vehicles (HSVs).
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
Ch. Trans 276 - Allowing the operation of double bottoms and certain other vehicles on certain specified highways.
Summary of Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
The provisions of this proposed rule adding highway segments to the designated system have no direct adverse effect on small businesses, and may have a favorable effect on those small businesses which are shippers or carriers using the newly-designated routes.
Summary of Comments:
No comments were reported.
E x e c u t i v e O r d e r s
The following is a listing of recent Executive Orders issued by the Governor.
Executive Order 307. Relating to the Creation of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Stewardship Program.
Executive Order 308. Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for the Brave Personnel of the United States Air Force Reserve's 440th Airlift Wing Who Lost Their Lives in the Line of Duty in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Executive Order 309. Relating to the Creation of the Wisconsin Science Advisory Council on Metallic Mining.
The State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Document Sales Unit
P.O. Box 7840
Dated Material. Please Do Not Delay!
