K. Preserving Wisconsin’s Heritage
54. Bearskin State Trail Development
Section 509zm
This section requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide up to $54,200 in federal funds and up to $145,800 in Stewardship Program funds to surface a 6.9-mile trail corridor that will extend the Bearskin State Trail to the Hiawatha Trail in Lincoln County.
I am vetoing this section because I object to the inclusion of specific spending projects under the Stewardship Program in the bill. Instead, I am directing the department to complete the project in the 2013-15 biennium using existing resources.
55. Catch-and-Release Bass Fishing
Section 552m
This section requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish a catch-and release only season for bass fishing for the areas of the state where there is not a continuous open season for bass fishing. The section also specifies that the season begins on the first Saturday in March and ends on the Sunday preceding the first Saturday in May.
I am vetoing this section because I object to the establishment of a catch-and-release bass fishing season without allowing the Wisconsin Conservation Congress to review any considerations for the establishment of such a fishing season. In addition, I am concerned that the provision would set a precedent to permit the establishment of certain fishing seasons without the input of the Conservation Congress. Instead, I am directing the department to work with the Conservation Congress to review opportunities for establishing a catch-and-release bass fishing season and to review the dates for which a catch-and-release season would be appropriate.
56. Sporting Heritage Grant
Section 572f
This provision directs the Department of Natural Resources to provide $500,000 during the 2013-15 biennium, which includes $200,000 GPR in fiscal year 2013-14 and $300,000 in federal and other state matching funds in fiscal year 2014-15, for a grant to a nonprofit organization established in Wisconsin for outdoor education, and recruitment and retention of outdoor sports enthusiasts. Beginning with the 2015-17 biennium, the department is required to provide $450,000 to the extent allowed under federal law each biennium. Under the provision, the organization must meet specific criteria for providing firearms safety training and shooting events, and mentoring prospective hunters. The grant must be used to preserve and protect the state's hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting traditions.
To be awarded the grant, the organization must apply through the department. The provision requires the creation of a committee, which consists of the chairs of the Assembly and Senate standing committees responsible for natural resources, as well as three members appointed by the chair of the Sporting Heritage Council. Grants must be awarded within 60 days of the effective date of the bill and within 30 days following the effective date of the biennial budget bill in subsequent biennia.
I am partially vetoing this provision to remove the reference to the use of federal funds because I am concerned whether the use of the federal funds under 16 USC 669-669i (Wildlife Restoration Act) and 777-777k (Sport Fish Restoration Act), and the associated federal grant is appropriate for this purpose. Instead, I am directing the department to identify $300,000 in other funds in fiscal year 2014-15 and $450,000 in each biennium thereafter that would be suitable for the grant. 57. Historical Society Positions
This section, as it relates to the appropriations under s. 20.245 (1) (a) and (r), provides $9,842,600 GPR in fiscal year 2013-14 and $9,844,300 GPR in fiscal year 2014-15, and $3,116,600 SEG in both years, respectively. This section of the bill reflects the appropriations from which 7.00 FTE positions were eliminated from the Historical Society.
I am lining out the amounts under s. 20.245 (1) (a) and (r) and writing in smaller amounts that reduce each of the appropriations by $100 in each year of the biennium because I object to the 7.00 FTE position reduction in the Historical Society. This reduction unnecessarily burdens the society with a reduction in staff without a reduction in responsibilities or program. With this veto, I am retaining 6.33 FTE positions in the appropriation under s. 20.245 (1) (a) and 0.67 FTE position in the appropriation under s. 20.245 (1) (r). This action is necessary because no specific language has been included in the bill reflecting the reduction in FTE positions for the Historical Society. With this veto, I am retaining these 6.33 FTE positions in the appropriation under s. 20.245 (1) (a) and the 0.67 FTE position in the appropriation under s. 20.245 (1) (r) in each year of the biennium to preserve Wisconsin's heritage protected by the Historical Society. I direct the Department of Administration secretary to not allot these funds. I also direct the Department of Administration secretary to not reduce the authorized positions by 7.00 FTE positions in the personnel Management Information System.
