Environmental Impact
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.
Fiscal Estimate
Rule summary
The proposed rule package amends Ch.
NR 27, Wis. Adm. Code to add four species of bats to the endangered and threatened species list. This addition to the invasives list is being proposed as both an emergency rule,
ER-37-10 (E), and a permanent rule, ER-35-10.
State fiscal estimate
The proposed rule package will require time by DNR staff to prepare the rule and administer rule hearings. Endangered Resources review staff will likely see an increase in time associated with the listing of bats. There will be an increase in the time associated with incidental take permits. It is assumed there will not be a significant increase in staff time, and that this time can be covered by existing appropriations. Staff at the Public Service Commission and the Office of Energy will see an increase in staff time associated with issues surrounding bats and wind farms. These agencies will also see an increase in time associated with incidental permits. It is assumed there will not be a significant increase in staff's time at these agencies.
Local fiscal estimate
It is assumed there will be minimal cost increases to local governments as a result of this rule change. As an example of these minimal costs, local public works departments will need to distribute new local construction permits to include the listing of bats.
Private entities fiscal impact
It is assumed the Department will be issuing a broad incidental take permit associated with the listing. Many private companies such as pest control operators and construction companies will be covered under this broad incident take permit. The impact to wind farms will be determined by the location. Depending on the impact to bats, wind farms may be required to report damages to bats or to perform a determined mitigation.
It is assumed the impact to farmers of this rule change will be positive; especially, in light of the fact that if bat populations in the state were to be devastated, the costs to agriculture from pest destruction and pesticide use would increase.
State fiscal impact
Indeterminate. Increase costs — May be possible to absorb within agency's budget.
Local government fiscal impact
Indeterminate. Increase costs — Permissive.
Types of local governmental units affected
Towns, Villages, Cities, Counties.
Agency Contact Person
Erin Crain
Bureau of Endangered Resources
P O Box 7921
101 S. Webster Street, ER/6
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Phone: (608) 267-7479
Notice of Hearing
Natural Resources
Fish, Game, Forestry, etc., Chs.
NR 1—
DNR # IS-42-10(E) and IS-41-10
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss.
23.09 (2),
23.22,
227.11 (2) and
227.24, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on the proposed emergency and permanent rules to list the fungus,
Geomyces destructans, as a prohibited invasive species in s.
NR 40.04 (2), Wis. Adm. Code. The hearings will be held concurrently with hearings to list four cave bat species as threatened in s.
NR 27.03 (3), Wis. Adm. Code.
Hearing Information
The hearings will begin at 11:00 am at the locations listed below. Following a brief informational presentation, public comments and statements will be accepted.
October 25, 2010 Conference Room 1
DNR Oshkosh Service Center
625 E. County Rd. Y
Oshkosh
October 26, 2010 Glaciers Edge & Gathering Waters Rms.
DNR South Central Region Hdqrs.
3911 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg
October 28, 2010 Room 185
DNR West Central Region Hdqrs.
1300 W. Clairemont
Eau Claire
October 29, 2010 Conference Room 1
DNR Northern Region Headquarters
107 Sutliff Avenue
Rhinelander
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 Ms. Rowe at (608)266-7012 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Copies of Proposed Rules and Submittal of Written Comments
The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted at the following Internet site:
http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Ms. Stacy Rowe, Bureau of Endangered Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by email to
stacy.rowe@wisconsin.gov. Comments may be submitted until
November 1, 2010. 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. A personal copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Ms. Rowe.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Natural Resources
Statutory authority
Plain language analysis
The proposed changes to ch.
NR 40, Wis. Adm. Code, will add the fungus,
Geomyces destructans, to the list of prohibited invasive species, allowing the department to effectively manage its spread and limit human transport.
Existing rules ban the transportation (including importation), possession, transfer (including sale) and introduction of invasive species that are listed or identified as “prohibited", with certain exceptions. Transportation, possession, transfer and introduction without a permit are exempt if the department determines that the transportation, possession, transfer or introduction was incidental or unknowing, and was not due to the person's failure to take reasonable precautions. Existing rules authorize the department to enter property with the permission of the owner or person in control of the property and, if permission cannot be obtained, to seek an inspection warrant from the Circuit Court. Entry is only for the purpose of inspection, sampling or control of prohibited invasive species.
The current rules also allow the department to enter into consent orders with persons who own, control or manage property where prohibited invasive species are present to implement approved control measures, and to issue unilateral orders for control purposes unless the person was not responsible for the presence of the prohibited invasive species. If a control order is not complied with and the department undertakes control measures, the current rules allow for cost-recovery by the department for the expenses it incurred.
Related statute or rule
Related statutes or rules include but are not limited to the following provisions which, to varying degrees, may apply to the identification, classification, control or other regulation of species that are invasive, or to conduct that may result in the introduction or spread of invasive species:
Statutory section Title [or subject]
15.347 (18) Invasive species council.
23.24 Aquatic plants.
29.011 Title to wild animals.
29.604 Endangered and threatened species
protected.
29.614 Scientific collector permit.
29.885 Removal of wild animals.
29.924 Investigations; Searches.
30.07 Transportation of aquatic plants and animals;
placement of objects in navigable waters.
94.01 Plant inspection and pest control authority.
94.02 Abatement of pests.
94.03 Shipment of pests and biological control
agents; permits.
94.69 Pesticides; rules.
169.04 Possession of live wild animals.
169.06 Introduction, stocking, and release of wild
animals.
169.07 Exhibition of live wild animals.
169.08 Propagation of wild animals.
169.10 Sale and purchase of live wild animals.
169.11 Harmful wild animals.
Comparison with federal regulations
We are not aware of any existing or proposed federal regulations that would list the fungus, Geomyces destructans, as an invasive species.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Wisconsin appears to be unique in taking the approach of listing the fungus, Geomyces destructans, as an invasive species; we are not aware of any other states or provinces that have taken similar actions. We don't know of any other states that have a similar mechanism—an invasive species rule— for listing the fungus. We are also not aware of any existing or proposed federal regulations that would list the fungus, Geomyces destructans, as an invasive species.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease responsible for unprecedented mortality in cave hibernating bats and is identified by the white fungus (Geomyces destructans) that grows on the nose, ears, and muzzle and/or wing membrane. Infected bats exhibit atypical behavior, such as daytime activity during winter hibernation, which rapidly depletes stored energy reserves. Wing damage and emaciation are also common.
WNS has been documented in fourteen states and two Canadian provinces, is spreading rapidly from the first affected sites (up to 800 miles per year). The speed at which WNS is spreading necessitates immediate action on the part of the department to list the white-nose fungus as a prohibited invasive species. Based on the current location and known rate of spread of the disease, it is likely that WNS will reach Wisconsin as early as January 2011.
This rule was developed with the assistance of the Bureaus of Endangered Resources and Legal Services and with input from the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species (Council). The Bureau of Endangered Resources prepared an Issue Brief for the Council, which provided background on white-nose syndrome, the extent and serious nature of the threat of the disease to Wisconsin's cave bats, and the need for listing Geomyces destructans as a prohibited invasive species.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
Affected constituencies include commercial caves and mines, private cave and mine owners, recreational cavers, property owners, the agricultural industry, and the conservation community. Concerns will likely include how listing the fungus will affect current activities. Many of these potential concerns may be addressed through cost-sharing, technical support, and education provided by the department. Examples include: reviewing proposed research proposals and issuance of scientific research licenses, cost-sharing for installation of bat gates and other conservation actions, providing cave closure signage and decontamination protocols, and providing locations of caves that may be used for recreational caving activities (where bats are known to have been excluded).
Under NR 40, the department may ask any person who owns, controls, or manages property where a prohibited species is present to control the prohibited species in accordance with a plan approved by the department. While a person who owns, controls or manages property where a prohibited species is present is responsible for controlling the prohibited species that exists on the property, the department will seek funds to assist in the control of prohibited species. Therefore, conducting control measures will not necessarily result in a cost to commercial cave operators. Additionally, commercial caves will have the option to exclude bats from their cave(s) with the help of the department, allowing them to remain open for tourism, and resulting in no loss of tourism dollars.
Small Business Impact
Pursuant to s.
227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on small businesses.
Under s.
227.19 (3m), Wis. Stats., a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Small business regulatory coordinator
Environmental Impact
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.
Fiscal Estimate
Assumptions used in arriving at fiscal estimate
