Grant applicants: Units of local government, Wisconsin tribes, lake and river organizations, and nonprofit organizations will benefit from improved rule clarity and streamlining of grant processes.
Business/Industry: Environmental consultants and service providers that work on lake, river and AIS projects will benefit from improved rule clarity on roles and expectations.
State Government: The proposed consolidated code will enable Department staff to gain efficiencies in several internal processes, allowing state funds to be used more economically.
Public: Lake/river property owners and users, including boaters and sportsmen, benefit from grant funded projects that improve the water quality and aquatic habitats of the surface waters of Wisconsin.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
There is no direct comparison with federal regulation. These are non-regulatory programs. Proposed changes are intended to assist the Department in implementing the goals of the federal Clean Water Act and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) aquatic invasive species regulations. Under plans filed with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and USFWS, federal funding received by the Department may be awarded through these grants and state funds awarded through these programs may count as state match to federal funds the Department receives.
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):
The Department believes the economic impact of the consolidated rule is at level 3 – little to no economic impact is expected. The impact of the consolidated code will be positive for local organizations that protect or improve surface waters of Wisconsin. Small businesses will be benefited by the proposed changes as grant awards provide consulting opportunities for lake, river, and AIS service providers. Local economies will benefit because improved water quality and decreased aquatic invasive species could result in increased visitors and visitor spending for lodging, meals, fuel, rental of recreational vehicles, and other expenditures. If the grant funds were not available, many of the proposed protection and restoration activities would not be completed due to lack of local funding for implementation.
The lake monitoring contracts and Citizen Lake Monitoring Network are voluntary programs that provide contracts to coordinate citizen-led monitoring. Small business is not directly affected by the proposed consolidated code, though businesses may be benefited by increased opportunities to conduct work and sell goods and services in support of the programs. Therefore, the initial regulatory flexibility analysis will not address rule revisions related to lake monitoring contracts.
9. Anticipated number, month and locations of public hearings:
The Department anticipates holding up to 5 public hearings in summer 2017, most likely in Madison, Stevens Point, Rhinelander, Spooner, and Waukesha. Hearings may be held using teleconference technology. The Department will hold hearings to provide an overview of the consolidated code that will replace chs. NR 190, 191, 192, 195, and 198, Wis. Adm. Code, and receive input from affected parties around the state. Contact Person:
Shelly Thomsen
Lakes & Rivers Team Leader
Bureau of Water Quality
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(608) 266-0502
