The 2017 WDNR spring wildlife and fisheries proposed rules hearing and annual Conservation Congress meetings are scheduled for Monday, April 10th at 7:00PM in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
This is an opportunity for state residents to provide input to WDNR, NRB* and the Conservation Congress on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to fish and wildlife management in Wisconsin.
It is also an opportunity to run for a seat on the Conservation Congress and to elect Conservation Congress delegates from their county. Lastly, it is an opportunity to bring new conservation issues to the attention of the Conservation Congress through the citizen resolution process.
There are many questions in this year’s Spring Hearing Questionnaire which concern me, but these are the ones that relate specifically to biodiversity and native plants:
63. Imposing a moratorium on issuing stormwater or air permits related to frac sand mining and processing pending analysis of recent Strategic Analysis of Industrial Sand Mining.
64. Encouraging local governments to remove milkweed from local noxious weed ordinances and to plant and maintain quality milkweed plots.
66. Supporting WDNR’s continued efforts to address 75 issues in the WPDES permit program, i.e., compliance to the EPA’s Clean Water Act.
67. Supporting efforts to work with Wisconsin Legislature to take actions needed to address the remaining issues in the WPDES permit program, i.e., compliance to the EPA’s Clean Water Act.
68. Repealing Act 1, the iron mining law from 2013.
69. Supporting legislation giving WDNR authority to suspend applications for CAFOs until all studies by affected government bodies have been completed.
71. Supporting legislation to authorize suspension of a CAFO which has caused impact or impairment to area wetlands or surface waters?
72. Supporting opposition to the Enbridge Pipeline expansion.
76. Supporting legislation to appropriate GPR funding to help manage the Wisconsin state park system.
78. Supporting legislation to continue funding the Stewardship Fund at adequate levels.
82. Supporting legislation to change Stewardship Fund from a borrowing-based program to a cash-based program.
If you wish to comment on any of the questions or any of the others in the 2017 Conservation Congress Questionnaire, e-mail Scott Loomans or phone 608-267-2452.
Here are the documents relative to these hearings:
If you are interested in getting involved with the Conservation Congress or have a specific question about the Conservation Congress, contact Conservation Congress Liaison Kari Lee-Zimmermann
*Natural Resources Board
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