Rule-making notices
Notice of Hearing
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
[CR 01-114]
(reprinted from 10-15-01 Wis. Adm. Register)
The state of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announces that it will hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment to chapter ATCP 30, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the use of atrazine pesticides. The hearing will be held at the time and place shown below. The department invites the public to attend the hearings and comment on the proposed rule. Following the public hearing, the hearing record will remain open until November 16, 2001, for additional written comments.
You may obtain a free copy of this rule by contacting the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Division of Agricultural Resource Management, 2811 Agriculture Drive, P.O. Box 8911, Madison WI 53708, or by calling (608) 224-4502. Copies will also be available at the hearings.
Hearing impaired persons may request an interpreter for these hearing. Please make reservations for a hearing interpreter by October 19, 2001, by writing to Bruce Rheineck, Division of Agricultural Resource Management, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911, telephone (608) 224-4502. Alternatively, you may contact the Department TDD at (608) 224-5058. Handicap access is available at the hearings.
The hearing is scheduled on:
Tuesday November 6, 2001
afternoon session: 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
evening session: 6:30 p.m. until 8:00p.m.
Great Wolf Lodge
I-90/94 & Hwy 12
Grey Wolf Room
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Handicapped accessible
Analysis prepared by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Statutory authority: ss. 93.07 (1), 94.69 (1), 160.19 (2), and 160.21 (1), Stats.
Statutes interpreted: ss. 94.69, 160.19 (2) and 160.21 (1), Stats.
In order to protect Wisconsin groundwater, current rules under ch. ATCP 30, Wis. Adm. Code, restrict the statewide rate at which atrazine pesticides may be applied. Current rules also prohibit the use of atrazine in areas where groundwater contamination levels attain or exceed state enforcement standards. Based on new groundwater test data, this rule expands a current atrazine prohibition area and merges two others into a larger prohibition area.
Atrazine Prohibition Areas
Current rules prohibit the use of atrazine where atrazine contamination of groundwater equals or exceeds the current groundwater enforcement standard under ch. NR 140, Wis. Adm. Code. Current rules prohibit atrazine use in 103 designated areas, including major prohibition areas in the lower Wisconsin river valley and much of Dane and Columbia counties.
This rule enlarges one current prohibition area and merges two others into a larger prohibition area. This will increase the statewide acreage of atrazine prohibition areas by about 11,300 acres. This rule includes maps describing the revised prohibition areas.
Within every prohibition area, atrazine applications are prohibited. Atrazine mixing and loading operations are also prohibited unless conducted over a spill containment surface which complies with s. ATCP 29.45, Wis. Adm. Code.
Fiscal Estimate
The rule will be administered by the Agricultural Resource Management (ARM) Division of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The following estimate is based on enlarging 1 existing prohibition area (PA), and merging two other PAs into one larger PA.
Administration and enforcement of the proposal will involve new costs for the department. Specialist and field investigator staff time will be needed for inspections and enforcement in the new PAs (0.1 FTE, cost approximately $4,000). Enforcement activities will be conducted in conjunction with current compliance inspections but at increased levels to ensure compliance with the additional prohibition areas. Compliance activities will be especially important in the first few years as growers, commercial applicators, dealers, and agricultural consultants in the PAs require education to comply with the new regulations.
Soil sampling conducted in the additional PAs to determine compliance with the rules will require an estimated $750 in analytical services. In addition, a public information effort will be needed to achieve a high degree of voluntary compliance with the rule. Direct costs to produce and distribute the informational materials will be $750.
Total Annual Costs: $5,500
The Department anticipates no additional costs for other state agencies. Water sampling programs within the Department of Natural Resources and local health agencies may receive short term increased interest by individuals requesting samples.
The rule does not mandate that local government resources be expended on sample collection, rule administration or enforcement. The rule is therefore not expected to have any fiscal impact on local units of government. County agricultural agents will likely receive requests for information on provisions of the rule and on weed control strategies with reduced reliance on atrazine. This responsibility will probably be incorporated into current extension programs with no net fiscal impact.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Businesses Affected:
The amendments to ATCP 30 Appendix A 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 area contains approximately 11,300 acres. Assuming that 50% of this land is in corn and that 50% of these acres are treated with atrazine, then 2,825 acres of corn will be affected. Between 10 and 30 producers would be affected, depending on their corn acreage and their reliance on atrazine products. 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 weed control methods, these effects will most likely result in additional or replacement business and the impacts are not further discussed in this document.
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 required 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 require 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.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Department has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposed 2002 amendment to rules on the use of pesticides containing atrazine. Copies are available from the Department on request and will be available at the public hearings. Comments on the EIS should be directed to the Agricultural Resource Management Division, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI, 53708 in care of Jeff Postle. Phone 608/224-4503. Written comments on the EIS will be accepted until November 16, 2001.
Notice of Hearing
Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to authority vested in the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors in ss. 15.08 (5) (b) and 227.11 (2), Stats., and interpreting s. 443.06 (2) (am), Stats., the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors will hold a public hearing at the time and place indicated below to consider an order to amend s. A-E 6.04 (2) (b), relating to the number of required semester credits in land surveying for an applicant applying with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
Hearing Date, Time and Location
Date:   November 12, 2001
Time:   10:00 a.m.
Location:   1400 East Washington Avenue
Room 133
Madison, Wisconsin
Appearances at the Hearing
Interested persons are invited to present information at the hearing. Persons appearing may make an oral presentation but are urged to submit facts, opinions and argument in writing as well. Facts, opinions and argument may also be submitted in writing without a personal appearance by mail addressed to the Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708. Written comments must be received by October 25, 2001 to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Regulation and Licensing
Statutes authorizing promulgation: ss. 15.08 (5) (b) and 227.11 (2), Stats.
Statute interpreted: s. 443.06 (2) (am), Stats.
Current rules of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors require a land surveyor applicant applying with a degree in civil engineering of not less than 4 years duration from a college or university, to have only 12 credits in courses concentrating on land surveyor education. The proposed rule will require a candidate to complete core land surveying courses that the Land Surveyors Section deems necessary as the minimal competency educational standard for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizenry of Wisconsin.
Text of Rule
SECTION 1. A-E 6.04 (2) (b) is amended to read:
A-E 6.04 (2) (b) Received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering of not less than 4 years duration from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by the state where the college or university is located. The curriculum shall include no less than 12 24 semester credits in courses concentrating on the legal principles of land surveying and the technical aspects of land surveying. These courses shall include areas of study such as research of public and private records, principles of evidence and the interpretation of written documents used in boundary determination, the study of the legal elements of land surveying including those involving resurveys, boundary disputes, defective descriptions, riparian rights and adverse possession, the study of the professional and judicial functions of a land surveyor, the study of surveying methods for measuring distance and angular values, note keeping, computation and writing descriptions and the study of the Wisconsin statutes and local ordinances relating to the preparation of subdivision maps and plats.
Fiscal Estimate
1. The anticipated fiscal effect on the fiscal liability and revenues of any local unit of government of the proposed rule is: $0.00.
2. The projected anticipated state fiscal effect during the current biennium of the proposed rule is: $0.00.
3. The projected net annualized fiscal impact on state funds of the proposed rule is: $0.00.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
These proposed rules will be reviewed by the department through its Small Business Review Advisory Committee to determine whether there will be an economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats.
Copies of Rule and Contact Person
Copies of this proposed rule are available without cost upon request to: Pamela Haack, Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 171, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708 (608) 266-0495.
Notice of Hearing
Chiropractic Examining Board
[CR 01-118]
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to authority vested in the Chiropractic Examining Board in ss. 15.08 (5) (b) and 227.11 (2), Stats., and interpreting s. 446.01 (2), Stats., the Chiropractic Examining Board will hold a public hearing at the time and place indicated below to consider an order to amend s. Chir 4.03; and to create s. Chir 4.02 (3), relating to paraphysiological space and the practice of chiropractic.
Hearing Date, Time and Location
Date:   November 15, 2001
Time:   9:45 a.m.
Location:   1400 East Washington Avenue
  Room 179A
  Madison, Wisconsin
Appearances at the Hearing
Interested persons are invited to present information at the hearing. Persons appearing may make an oral presentation but are urged to submit facts, opinions and argument in writing as well. Facts, opinions and argument may also be submitted in writing without a personal appearance by mail addressed to the Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708. Written comments must be received by November 30, 2001 to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Regulation and Licensing
Statutes authorizing promulgation: ss. 15.08 (5) (b) and 227.11 (2), Stats.
Statute interpreted: s. 446.01 (2), Stats.
In a recent opinion of the Attorney General regarding the practice of chiropractic, the definitions of chiropractic that appear in s. 446.01 (2), Stats., and ss. Chir 4.02 and 4.03, contain general language which does not provide specific guidance to chiropractors and to practitioners of other professions. In this proposed rule-making order the board creates additional, more specific language.
Text of Rule
SECTION 1. Chir 4.02 (3) is created to read:
Chir 4.02 (3) “Paraphysiological space" means the range of motion of a skeletal articulation that exceeds voluntary movement but does not exceed anatomical integrity.
SECTION 2. Chir 4.03 is amended to read:
Chir 4.03 Practice. The practice of chiropractic is the application of chiropractic science in the adjustment of the spinal column, skeletal articulations and adjacent tissue which includes diagnosis and analysis to determine the existence of spinal subluxations and associated nerve energy expression and the use of procedures and instruments preparatory and complementary to treatment of the spinal column, skeletal articulations and adjacent tissue. Diagnosis and analysis may include physical examination, specimen analysis, drawing of blood, blood-analysis and the use of x-ray and other instruments. Any procedure that causes a joint structure of the spine or pelvis to enter the paraphysiological space is a practice of chiropractic.
Fiscal Estimate
1. The anticipated fiscal effect on the fiscal liability and revenues of any local unit of government of the proposed rule is: $0.00.
2. The projected anticipated state fiscal effect during the current biennium of the proposed rule is: $0.00.
3. The projected net annualized fiscal impact on state funds of the proposed rule is: $0.00.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
These proposed rules will be reviewed by the department through its Small Business Review Advisory Committee to determine whether there will be an economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats.
Copies of Rule and Contact Person
Copies of this proposed rule are available without cost upon request to: Pamela Haack, Department of Regulation and Licensing, Office of Administrative Rules, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 171, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708 (608) 266-0495.
Notice of Hearings
Health and Family Services
(Health Ch. HFS 110-)
[CR 01-116]
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to s. 146.5 (6m) and (13) (b) and (c), Stats., the Department of Health and Family Services will hold public hearings to consider the repeal and recreation of Ch. HFS 111, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the licensing of emergency medical technicians-intermediate.
Hearing Information
The public hearings will be held:
Date & Time   Location
November 12, 2001   Room B155
Monday   State Office Building
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.   1 W Wilson Street
  Madison, WI
November 13, 2001   Pineary Room
Tuesday   Stevens Point Library
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.   Stevens Point, WI
The hearing sites are fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Health and Family Services
This order generally updates ch. HFS 111, rule for licensing emergency medical technicians-intermediate. The updating is being done on recommendation of the Emergency Medical Services Board under s. 146.58, Stats., which is advisory to the Department. The rule was amended to incorporate current medical practices, update training requirements, and to clarify, correct, and improve rule language based on experience with the rule that was last revised in 1996.
The updating of HFS 111 has involved modifying some current definitions and creating new definitions to reflect current changes in scope of practice. The updating has also involved deleting or modifying language based on experience in implementing the current rule and renumbering parts of the rule to accommodate the changes and to organize this chapter in a way similar to the other chapters of Emergency Medical Services Program rules. Other changes include use of the term “interfacility" to distinguish between facilities and prehospital 911 care; raising the minimum number of hours required for EMT-Intermediate coursework from 100 hours to 400 hours; and expanding the scope of practice to keep it consistent with the national EMT-Intermediate curriculum. The updating also adds renewal requirements for EMT instructor coordinators and gives medical directors the authority to remove an EMT's medical authority to practice if the medical director believes the EMT's training, skills, ability or judgement is sufficiently deficient or impaired.
Contact Person
To find out more about the hearings or to request a copy of the rule write or call:
Karen Dixon (608) 266-1568
Division of Public Health
Bureau of EMS and Injury Prevention
P.O. Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
If you are hearing or visually impaired, do not speak English, or have circumstances which might make communication at a hearing difficult, and if you require an interpreter, or a non-English, large print or taped version of the hearing document, contact the person at the address above. A person requesting a non-English or sign language interpreter should make that request at least 10 days before the hearing. With less than 10 days notice, an interpreter may not be available.
Written comments on the proposed rule received at the above address no later than November 20, 2001 will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at a hearing.
Fiscal Estimate
This order revises the Department's rules for licensing emergency medical technicians-intermediate (EMTs-intermediate). Revision of the rules will not significantly affect the expenditures or revenues of state government or local governments. The only additional costs would be associated with increased training hours for those services that want to be licensed at the new EMT-Intermediate level. There is no requirement for services to upgrade to this level of service, so any additional costs would be the result of the service wanting to increase their level of care.
The rules are amended to incorporate current medical practices; update training requirements; clarify, correct and improve rule language for interfacility patient transports, EMT-intermediate licensing and training sections; add a requirement for biennial renewal of the certification of training center instructor-coordinators; and update the required elements of an EMT-intermediate operational plan that must be submitted to the Department as a condition for licensure as an EMT-intermediate ambulance service.
Under the revised rules, Department staff will have some additional workload because of the need to review EMT-intermediate ambulance service operational plans and their revisions and to certify training course instructor-coordinators every 2 years. On the other hand, Department staff will have reduced workload because these functions will be done through electronic submission, which will result in less review time per application.
Of the 108 EMT-intermediate ambulance service providers statewide, 73 are operated by local governments. Although the revised rule increases the minimum number of hours required for EMT-intermediate training, this revision only updates the requirement in line with national standards and is not required in order to maintain their current level of services.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
These rules will not affect small businesses as “small business" is defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats. There are approximately 25 ambulance services that may qualify as small businesses. There are no rule changes that require additional equipment or personnel expenses.
Notice of Hearings
Natural Resources
(Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—)
[CR 01-115]
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 29.041, 29.014 (1), 29.519 (1) (b) and 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., interpreting ss. 29.041, 29.014 (1) and 29.519 (1) (b), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to ch. NR 25, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to commercial fishing in Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The two substantive rule changes proposed would encourage the use of trap nets in the commercial whitefish fishery. One would increase the maximum allowable depth for trap nets from 90 feet to 150 feet. The other would allow trap nets to be set in Whitefish Bay, Door county. These changes should increase commercial fishing efficiency and could also lead to reductions in the incidental kill of chinook salmon and lake trout in the whitefish fishery by encouraging increased use of trap nets. The nonsubstantive provisions are housekeeping corrections needed to correctly express the intent of Board Order No. FH-26-00, to remove language that became irrelevant with the adoption of Board Order No. FM-18-94, to restore language inadvertently repealed in 1997 with the adoption of Board Order No. FM-51-96 and to correctly express the rule's intent.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., the proposed rule may have an impact on small businesses. The initial regulatory flexibility analysis is as follows:
a. Types of small businesses affected: Commercial fishers in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
b. Description of reporting and bookkeeping procedures required: No new procedures.
c. Description of professional skills required: No new skills.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the hearings will be held on:
November 15, 2001   Room A324, Door Co. Courthouse
    421 Nebraska Street, Sturgeon Bay
Wednesday     at 1:00 p.m.
November 15, 2001   Room 106, Sheboygan Co. Job
    Center, 3620 Wilgus Avenue
    Sheboygan
Wednesday     at 4:30 p.m.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that 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 Bill Horns at (608) 266-8782 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Contact Person
Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted to Mr. William Horns, Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 no later than November 25, 2001. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the hearings. A copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Mr. Horns.
Fiscal Effect
No fiscal impact anticipated.
Notice of Proposed Rule
Transportation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the authority of s. 85.095, and 227.11, Stats., and according to the procedure set forth in s. 227.16 (2) (e), Stats., the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will adopt the following rule amending ch. Trans 28 without public hearing unless, within 30 days after publication of this notice on November 1, 2001, the Department of Transportation is petitioned for a public hearing by 25 natural persons who will be affected by the rule; a municipality which will be affected by the rule; or an association which is representative of a farm, labor, business or professional group which will be affected by the rule.
Questions about this rule and any petition for public hearing may be addressed to Ellen Fisher, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Rails and Harbors, Room 155B, P. O. Box 7914, Madison, WI 53707-7914.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Transportation
Statutory Authority: s. 85.095, Stats.
Statutes Interpreted: s. 85.095, Stats.
General Summary of Proposed Rule
This rule making will enable communities where cruise ships are a port of call to apply for Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) funds to construct/improve docking and terminal facilities to accommodate these ships. It will also enable communities that have already received HAP funding to use these previously-constructed facilities for cruise ships.
Text of Proposed Rule
Under the authority vested in the state of Wisconsin, department of transportation, by s. 85.095, Stats., the department of transportation hereby proposes to amend a rule interpreting s. 85.095, Stats., relating to the Harbor Assistance Program.
SECTION 1. Trans 28.01 is amended to read:
Trans 28.01 Purpose and scope. The purpose of this chapter is to set forth the department of transportation's department's administrative interpretation of s. 85.095, Stats., and to prescribe the administrative policies and procedures for implementing the harbor assistance program authorized by s. 85.095, Stats.
SECTION 2. Trans 28.02 (1m) and (9m) are created to read:
Trans 28.02 (1m) “Cruise vessel" means a passenger vessel as defined in 46 USC 2101(22) or a small passenger vessel as defined in 46 USC 2101(35) that provides overnight accommodations for at least 50 passengers for hire and operates on a schedule between 2 points of sailing. Cruise vessels are not considered to be recreational vessels.
(9m) “Ferry" means a passenger vessel that has provisions for deck passengers or vehicles, or both, and operates on a regular schedule between a minimum of 2 points.
SECTION 3. Trans 28.04 (1) and (2) are amended to read:
Trans 28.04 (1) DESCRIPTION. Every eligible harbor assistance project shall benefit a commercial transportation facility. Eligible harbor assistance projects include: dockwall and disposal facility construction, repair, maintenance or rehabilitation; maintenance dredging of materials from a harbor or dredging of new harbor areas; dredged material disposal; and other harbor improvements related to the physical needs of a port that maintain or increase commodity or passenger movement capabilities.
(2) LOCATION. Eligible projects shall be located only in Great Lakes or Mississippi River system harbors where vessels take on or discharge a combined total of more than 1,000 tons of commercial cargo per year; where commercial, naval or recreational vessels are built; where passenger or vehicle–carrying ferry service connects the Wisconsin communities along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, or connects the Wisconsin mainland with other states, Canadian provinces or populated islands in Wisconsin or where commercial fishing vessels unload fish. The U.S. army corps of engineers' annual tonnage figures shall be the basis for the tonnage determination; where tonnage figures are not available, an applicant shall provide tonnage figures based on auditable records.
SECTION 4. Trans 28.05 (1) (a) 1., (c) and (3) are amended to read:
Trans 28.05 (1) (a) 1. Indicators of expected economic impact shall be determined by an efficiency analysis known as a benefit–cost analysis. Benefits must exceed costs for the project to be further evaluated for funding.
(c) Amount of tonnage and waterborne transportation: Higher priority shall be given to projects in harbors with larger amounts of tonnage and waterborne transportation, and a lower priority shall be given to projects in harbors with lesser amounts of tonnage and waterborne transportation. Improvements that benefit cruise vessels shall be of lower priority than improvements benefiting vessels transporting cargo or operating as ferries.
(3) The department shall establish an advisory council, under authority of s. 15.04 (1) (c), Stats., to evaluate harbor assistance program project applications. The advisory council shall include a representative of the Wisconsin department of development commerce and of the Wisconsin coastal management council and shall include 2 or 3 other persons familiar with water transportation. Consistent with this chapter, the advisory council shall evaluate and rank the proposed projects and shall recommend to the department the priority of the projects to be funded.
SECTION 5. Trans 28.07 (4) is amended to read:
Trans 28.07 (4) The department shall may not assume a continuing funding responsibility for any project.
SECTION 6. Trans 28.09 (2) (a) 5. is amended to read:
Trans 28.09 (2) (a) 5. A statement that the proposed project is consistent with the three–year 3-year harbor development statement of intentions submitted by the eligible applicant as required by s. Trans 28.10.
SECTION 7. Trans 28.09 (2) (j) is created to read:
Trans 28.09 (2) (j) An estimated annual number of passengers that will be affected by the project.
Fiscal Estimate
There are potentially twelve communities likely to be affected by this change in policy: Milwaukee, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sturgeon Bay, Sheboygan, Marinette, Northport, Washburn, Superior, Bayfield, LaCrosse and Prairie du Chien. Six of these communities may seek an amendment to their current HAP agreement for projects that have already been constructed (Green Bay, Northport, Superior, Marinette, Milwaukee and LaCrosse). Other than a few hours of HAP staff time, there would be no cost associated with this change.
The communities most likely to seek HAP funding within the next 8-10 years to construct new facilities for cruise ships are Manitowoc, Sturgeon Bay, and Milwaukee. The current HAP budget is $4 million for the biennium. If these projects are economically justified and compete favorably against applications to improve cargo-handling facilities, almost half of the current HAP budget could be spent for this type of project over the next 8-10 years.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
This proposed change is not expected to have a significant direct affect on small businesses.
Copies of Proposed Rule.
Copies of the proposed rule may be obtained upon request, without cost, by writing to Ellen Fisher, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Railroads and Harbors, Room 155B, P.O. Box 7914, Madison, WI 53707-7914, or by calling (608) 267-9319. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the Department by using TDD (608) 266-3096. Alternate formats of the proposed rule amendment will be provided to individuals at their request.
Notice of Proposed Rule
Transportation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 85.16 (1), 110.075 and 227.10 (1), Stats., and interpreting s. 110.075, Stats., the Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing in Room 551 of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin on the 15th day of November, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. to consider the amendment of ch. Trans 305, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to standards for vehicle equipment.
An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be available on request for this hearing. Please make reservations for a hearing interpreter at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
The public record on this proposed rule making will be held open until close of business on Friday, November 16, 2001, to permit the submission of written comments from persons unable to attend the public hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing. Any such comments should be submitted to Loralee Brumund, Department of Transportation, Division of State Patrol, Room 551, P. O. Box 7912, Madison, WI 53707-7912.
Parking for persons with disabilities and an accessible entrance are available on the north and south sides of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Transportation
Statutory Authority: ss. 85.16 (1), 110.075 and 227.10 (1), Stats.
Statute Interpreted: s. 110.075, Stats.
General Summary of Proposed Rule
This proposed rule will require van-type vehicles to have operable interior door handles on passenger doors located on the sides of the vehicles. The intent is to enhance the safety of passengers inside the vehicles, enabling them to escape the vehicle, in instances of vehicle crashes. The vehicles most affected by this rule amendment would be those vehicles operated by private companies that transport passengers for recreational purposes, for shuttle transportation, and general transport. It is not intended to be applied to vans used primarily for transportation of cargo, or to impose substantial additional costs on operators of van-type vehicles.
Fiscal Estimate
The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on the liabilities or revenues of any county, city, village, town, school district, vocational, technical and adult education district, sewerage district, or federally-recognized tribes or bands. The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on state revenues or liabilities.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
This proposed rule will have no significant adverse impact on small businesses.
Copies of Proposed Rule.
Copies of the rule may be obtained upon request, without cost, by writing to Loralee Brumund, Department of Transportation, Division of State Patrol, Room 551, P. O. Box 7912, Madison, WI 53707-7912, or by calling (608) 267-3622. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the Department using TDD (608) 266-3096. Alternate formats of the proposed rule will be provided to individuals at their request.
Links to Admin. Code and Statutes in this Register are to current versions, which may not be the version that was referred to in the original published document.