March 19, 2008     A4 Lecture Hall
Wednesday     UW-Baraboo-Sauk Co. Campus
    1001 Connie Road
    Baraboo
    Black Hawk Tech. College
    Central Campus-Main Entrance
    6004 S. County Road G
    Janesville
March 20, 2008     Room CB123 & C&D
Thursday     Northeast Wis. Tech College
    2740 W. Mason
    Green Bay (parking in Lot F)
    James Williams Middle School
    915 Acacia Lane
    Rhinelander
    Dodger Bowl
    318 King Street
    Dodgeville
March 24, 2008     Conference Room
Monday     DNR Service Center
    1300 W. Clairemont
    Eau Claire
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 Scott Loomans at (608) 267-2452 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Agency Contact Person, Copy of Rule, and Submission 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 Mr. Alan Crossley, Bureau of Wildlife Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until March 25, 2008. 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 Mr. Crossley.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Natural Resources
This rule order includes the following proposed changes in the CWD hunting rules:
1. Combine the Disease Eradication Zone (DEZ) and Herd Reduction Zone (HRZ) into one zone, called the CWD Management Zone (CWD-MZ) whose outer boundary is defined by the current HRZ boundary.
2. Instead of a deer population goal of 5 deer/square mile in the DEZ and 10 deer/square mile in the HRZ, establish interim deer population goals for each DMU contained within the CWD-MZ. Those interim deer population goals would be established through a 20% reduction in the goal for those DMUs in 2001, with the exception that DMUs that had goals less than 20 in 2001, remain unchanged.
3. Authorize the use of rifles within the CWD Management Zone with the exception of metro units.
4. Restrict the import of whole cervid carcasses (deer, elk & moose) into Wisconsin from states or provinces that have CWD and restrict whole deer carcass movement from the CWD-MZ to elsewhere in the state. The Department recommends that the effective date of the carcass movement restrictions be delayed until September 1, 2009 to allow hunters time to research and evaluate their options for complying with the movement restriction if they live outside of the CWD-MZ.
5. Allow the harvest of white and albino deer in the entire CWD-MZ (formerly restricted to the DEZ)
6.   Allow the shooting of deer from a farm tractor or implement of husbandry in the entire CWD-MZ (formerly restricted to the DEZ)
7. Establish a deer season framework in the CWD-MZ that is more consistent with the season framework that has been used for DMUs that are over goal in the rest of the state. Under this proposal, hunters in the CWD Zones could expect the following season framework in 2008:
  Archery season: September 13 to January 4
  Youth hunt: October 4-5
  Early firearm season: antlerless only October 16-19
  9-day firearm deer season: November 22-30
  10-day muzzleloader season: December 1-10
  Late firearm season: antlerless only December 11-14
  Holiday firearm season: antlerless only December 26-January 4
  Unlimited Earn-a-buck regulations in effect with pre-qualification
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have an economic impact on small businesses. The Department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator may be contacted at Small Business@dnr.state.wi.us or by calling (608) 266-1959.
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
Summary
Since 2002 the department has had rules in place to manage and control CWD. In previous years the department has added significant areas of southern Wisconsin to one of the designated CWD management zones which may have added to added costs or reduced revenues to the department. However, this year the department is combining two zones into one but is not expanding the area of the state where CWD is managed in the deer herd. The zones will have consistent seasons and regulations and no new costs are expected. This change will reduce simplify regulations, reduce confusion, and may improve department efficiency.
Another provision of this rule would prohibit the importation of cervid animal carcasses from the CWD management zone or other states where CWD has been identified. The importation of meat, hides, antlers, and cleaned skull would be allowed however, so this provision is not expected to significantly influence the spending or travel activities of hunters.
These proposed modifications do not result in an increase or decrease in appropriations, revenues, or costs for the department.
State fiscal effect
None
Local fiscal effect
None
Long-range fiscal implications
Long range costs are dependant on the duration of department efforts and whether the size of the area impacted by CWD regulations shrinks or expands.
Notice of Hearing
Natural Resources
Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to ss. 23.09 (2) and 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., interpreting s. 23.09 (2), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on revisions to ch. NR 58, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the implementation and administration of grants for endangered resources.
Hearing Information
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the hearing will be held on:
March 12, 2008
Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
Room 613
GEF #2 State Office Bldg.
101 South Webster Street
Madison
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 Heidi Nelson at (608) 267-0797 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Agency Contact Person, Copy of Rule, and Submission 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. Heidi Nelson, Bureau of Endangered Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until March 19, 2008. 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. Nelson.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Natural Resources
The Department is revising ch. NR 58, the Endangered Resources Small Grants administrative rule, to add provisions establishing a grant program to provide financial assistance to the public, nongovernmental organizations, and public agencies to protect species of greatest conservation need and their habitat.
The State Wildlife Grants Program, funded through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will provide funding for projects that protect species of greatest conservation need and their habitat, and that implement the Wildlife Action Plan. The ultimate goal of the program is to prevent the decline of wildlife species to a point where they are endangered. Projects funded by this grant program will also help protect and restore important land and water resources, allow for the collection and evaluation of information necessary to be able to determine which wildlife species are in trouble, and support efforts to establish and maintain partnerships. By emphasizing a proactive approach, the State Wildlife Grants Program supports efforts to take action to protect declining wildlife species before they become too rare and costly to protect.
The new program will provide a 50% to 100% cost share to agencies, landowners and organizations who meet the criteria of the program.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have an economic impact on small businesses. The Department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator may be contacted at SmallBusiness@ dnr.state.wi.us or by calling (608) 266-1959.
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
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is providing funding for states through the State Wildlife Grants Program. The program requires the Department to provide a 25% match for planning projects and a 50% match for implementation projects.
The Department currently has a grant agreement with USFWS for federal funding of $1,806,196 over a two year period. Of this amount, an estimated $1,079,924, or $539,962 annually will be used for administrative, development and implementation costs of the program ($434,962 salary and fringe benefit costs, and $105,000 in other state operations costs annually). With the proposed rule amendment, the Department will establish and implement Wisconsin's State Wildlife Grants Program to provide funding through a grant process to governmental agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and individuals. Funding will be used to protect Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats and help implement the Wildlife Action Plan. Total funding for grants is estimated to be $726,272 over the 2-year period, or $363,136 annually.
The grants may include a match of up to 50% by grantees which is expected to cover much of the state match for the federal grant. The remaining state match will be provided through: 1) existing staff time spent on administration of the State Wildlife Grants Program, including outreach and assistance to grant applicants, 2) existing staff time spent on projects to protect Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats, and 3) a land bank that was established specifically for the purpose of helping match the federal State Wildlife Grant. State matching costs are indeterminate and not identified here, but are within existing budgets that may be re-directed to support grant activities.
State fiscal effect
There will be an increase in existing revenues. Increased costs may be possible to absorb within the agency's budget.
Local fiscal effect
None
Long-range fiscal implications
None
Notice of Hearing
Public Instruction
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That pursuant to s. 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., and interpreting s. 115.28 (46), Stats., the Department of Public Instruction will hold public hearings as follows to consider proposed emergency and permanent rules creating Chapter PI 31, relating to grants for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs.
Hearing Information
The hearings will be held as follows:
March 18, 2008     Madison
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.   GEF 3 Building
    125 South Webster Street
    Room 041
March 21, 2008     Madison
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.   GEF 3 Building
    125 South Webster Street
    Room 041
The hearing site is fully accessible to people with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation to access any meeting, please call Sharon Wendt, Director, Career and Technical Education, at (608) 267-9251, sharon.wendt@dpi.wi.gov, or leave a message with the Teletypewriter (TTY) at (608) 267-2427 at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Reasonable accommodation includes materials prepared in an alternative format, as provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Copy of Rule
The administrative rule and fiscal note are available on the internet at http://dpi.wi.gov/pb/rulespg.html. A copy of the proposed rule and the fiscal estimate also may be obtained by sending an email request to lori.slauson@dpi.wi.gov or by writing to:
Lori Slauson
Administrative Rules and Federal Grants Coordinator
Department of Public Instruction
125 South Webster Street
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707
Submission of Written Comments
Written comments on the proposed rules received by Ms. Slauson at the above mail or email address no later than March 27, 2008, will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearing.
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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.