Natural Resources
(Fish, Game, etc., Chs.
NR 1—)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss.
29.014,
29.033,
29.307,
29.335,
29.885 and
227.11, Stats., interpreting ss.
29.033,
29.177,
29.307,
29.335 and
29.361, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on revisions to chs.
NR 10,
19 and
45, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the control and management of chronic wasting disease. The proposed rules create regulations designed to eradicate chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin's wild deer herd. The rules propose reducing deer populations to as close to zero as possible in infected CWD eradication zones and to reduce surrounding deer populations within 40 miles to 10 deer per square mile of deer range. These rules also propose to prohibit practices that may lead to the spread or transfer of the disease.
Natural Resources Board Order No. WM-09-03 proposes elimination of baiting and feeding deer statewide. The Department could authorize landowners and their agents to shoot deer over bait by permit in an eradication zone. Natural Resources Board Order No. WM-05-03 proposes:
1. Criteria for establishment of CWD management zones.
2. Extension of deer seasons within the CWD management zones.
3. Creation of an earn-a-buck deer hunt requirement in the CWD management zones.
4. Codification of the conditions for landowner permits to remove deer within the eradication zone.
5. Creation of a protocol for department use of aircraft to help reduce deer numbers within the eradication zone.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s.
227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have a significant regulatory impact on small businesses. However, these rules, specifically those relating to the use of food for the feeding and baiting of deer may affect the sale of feeding materials which may have a significant economic impact on wildlife feed stores, feed mills and other sellers of deer feed.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s.
1.11, Stats., and ch.
NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code, the Department has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this action. The Department will consider comments on the EIS when deciding whether to certify that the EIS meets the requirements of applicable state statutes and codes. The EIS includes:
Section 1. Background (History of the disease, current scientific knowledge regarding the disease, and previous actions taken by Wisconsin and other states to control the disease).
Section 2. Depopulation (Analysis of the proposed action and tools used to depopulate the deer herd and likely effects, and an analysis of all alternatives considered).
Section 3. Herd Reduction (Analysis of the proposed action and tools used to reduce the deer herd and likely effects, and an analysis of all alternatives considered).
Section 4. Baiting and Feeding (Analysis of the proposed baiting and feeding ban, the effects of the ban and an analysis of all alternatives considered).
Copies of the EIS are available for public review at public libraries in Wisconsin, DNR Service Centers and on the Department's website at
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us.
Interested persons or their representatives will be given an opportunity to comment on and present their views regarding the proposed rules, the EIS and the environmental review process under s.
1.11, Stats., the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), at the hearings. Oral presentations may be limited if it appears the hearing will be unduly lengthened by repetition.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to s.
NR 2.085 (4), Wis. Adm. Code, any person may petition for the opportunity to cross examine the person or persons responsible for a specific portion of the environmental impact statement or to present witnesses or evidence. The opportunity to cross examine or present witnesses or evidence will follow the public hearings if a petition has been properly filed.
A petition to cross examine or present evidence shall include a statement of position on the action or proposal and specific statements and issues on which the person wishes to cross-examine or present evidence or witnesses. Petitions to shall be filed within 20 days after the date on which this notice is published. Failure to file a petition under s.
NR 2.085 (4), Wis. Adm. Code, shall preclude the opportunity to cross examine.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department will hold an informational meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. for one hour prior to each public hearing to present information and answer questions on the proposed rules and Environmental Impact Statement.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the hearings on the proposed rules and the Environmental Impact Statement will be held on:
Monday, March 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.:
Conference Center, WITC, 2100 Beaser Ave., Ashland
Blackhawk Technical College, 6004 Prairie Road, Beloit
Theisen Middle School, 525 E. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay
Copper Top Theater, UW-Richland Ctr, Hwy. 14, Richland Center
Shell Lake Primary School, 601 South 3rd Street, Shell Lake
Gymnasium, Union Grove High School, 3422 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove
Performing Arts Ctr., Lincoln High Sch., 180 116th St. S, Wis. Rapids
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
Dodger Bowl, Hwy. 18 West, Dodgeville
Auditorium, Onalaska High School, 700 Hilltopper Place, Onalaska
Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg
Auditorium, James Williams Jr. High School, 915 Acacia Lane, Rhinelander
Country Inn Hotel and Conference Center, 2810 Golf Road, Waukesha
Wausaukee High School, N11941 U.S. Hwy. 141, Wausaukee
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Eau Claire Memorial High School, Keith Street, Eau Claire
Auditorium, Park Falls High School, 400 9th Street North, Park Falls
Northwoods Conf. Center, Stoney Creek Inn, 1100 Imperial Ave., Mosinee
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 the Bureau of Wildlife Management at (608) 266-8204 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Fiscal Estimate
The costs associated with the management and control of chronic wasting disease in the state will pose a significant financial burden including reduced revenues and increased costs in subsequent years.
Increased Costs Totals:
Salary and fringe: $1,532,687
Mileage, meals and supplies: $3,007,198
Decreased Total Revenues: $634,004
Cost and decreased revenue details follows.
WM-05-03 Fiscal Estimate: Assumptions used in arriving at the fiscal estimate
This fiscal estimate is created based on the department's current knowledge of the distribution of CWD positive deer in the state. These estimates could change significantly if new positives are found in other parts of the state.
Increased Costs Details
Carcass Disposal: Based on the figures for the 2002 deer season statewide and in the CWD zones, we anticipate similar numbers to be generated for the 2003 seasons.
Anticipated Herd Reduction Zone and Outstate Disposal Costs
Number of Carcesses Cost
Carcasses directly landfilled 2,000 $20,000.00
Carcasses picked up at off times 4,000 $ 80,000.00
Carcesses disposed of in dumpsters 10,000 50,000.00
Outstate head disposal costs 28,000 $ 35,000.00
Total $285,000.00
Anticipated Intensive Harvest Zone and Eradiscation Zone Disposal Costs based on 10,000 deer
Shipping Cost $314,050.00
Storage Cost $440,000.00
Cremation Cost $29,700.00
Landfill Cost $26,675.00
Misc. Disposal Cost 1 $433,500.00
Other Misc. Costs 2 $65,000.00
Total $1,308,925.00
1) Anticipated grand total for statewide carcass disposal $1,593,925
Aerial Operations: The costs associated with supplies, staff and flight time if the department contracts with USDA -wildlife services to conduct aerial shooting and herding of deer in the eradication zone and the cost associated with the aerial surveys to estimate remaining deer populations in the CWD zones.
Aerail Gunning and Herding:
APHIS Staff: $206,774
Aircraft (20 hours/week for 12 weeks x 2 helicopters x $700 / hr.): $336,000
Materials and supplies: $254,548
Total: $797,322
Aerial Surveys:
DNR Staff (6 FTE's x $21.63/hour x 3 weeks) $15,574
Aircraft (35 hours/week for 3 weeks x $600/hr.) $63,000
Materials: $10,000
Total: $88,574
2) Anticipated totals for aerial operations
Salary and Fringe: $15,575
Materials and Expences: $870,322
CWD Deer Hunts: The costs associated with the implementation of the expanded deer hunt in the CWD intensive harvest and herd reduction zones assuming only the current zones are affected and new zones are not created:
Law Enforcement: The additional hunts will require 8 additional hours per pay period for each of the 26 wardens in the South Central Region. Added to this would be any necessary meals, miles, etc.
With an average salary of about $25, with an additional $10 for benefits and fringe, this works out as follows:
26 Wardens x 8 hours/pay period = 208 hrs/pay period x 10 pay periods = 2080/hrs x $35/hr salary and fringe = $72,800 salary and fringe. In addition, there will be the added cost of approximately
$8,840 meals and $9,486 in mileage (meals and miles based upon previous cost estimates for CWD efforts).
Wildlife Management: The costs associated with the implementation of the new CWD deer herd control hunts including the testing and permit issuance during the extended season at registration stations will result in an additional staff time including the use of an LTE's, as well as mileage and other equipment expences.
