NRB_Content Page_Public Participation Guidelines

Public Participation Guidelines

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board

The Natural Resources Board (NRB) welcomes public input on matters related to natural resources management and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) programs and policies. Members of the public may provide testimony at NRB meetings in person, via Zoom and/or submit written comments on issues before the NRB.

Testimony and written comments must be respectful. Threatening, intimidating or disparaging remarks directed at NRB members, DNR staff or members of the public — as well as comments that disclose personal or private information unrelated to NRB business — are prohibited and will not be accepted. Participants whose testimony violates these rules are subject to removal from the meeting.

The NRB Liaison coordinates requests to testify and receives written comments on behalf of the NRB. Contact information for the NRB Liaison can be found near the bottom of the page.

The deadline for registering to speak at an NRB meeting or to submit written comments is 11 a.m. on the Wednesday prior to each meeting, unless otherwise noted. The specific deadline for each meeting is listed on the meeting agenda.

Please note that any information submitted to the NRB as part of your testimony or comments, including your name, address, email address and telephone number, constitutes a public record and is subject to disclosure under Wisconsin’s Public Records Law.

Guidelines For Testifying At A Meeting

Pre-registration

  • To testify, you must be pre-registered with the NRB Liaison.

Items Not Eligible for Testimony

  • Agenda items that authorize public hearings on administrative rules.
  • Agenda items listed under Item 6: Information Items.
  • Items the governor or legislature has requested the NRB to modify.

Agenda Timing

  • Public testimony is taken when the NRB considers the item, before the NRB votes.
  • “Open Forum,” when the NRB takes public testimony on non-agenda items, will take place after items 1–4 or immediately following the morning break, usually at around 10:15 a.m.
  • Please note that times are tentative and may change. It is advised that members of the public who have signed up to testify arrive before 8:30 a.m. to ensure they are available when their name is called.

Organizational Representation

  • Each organization may have only one spokesperson per agenda item.

Time Limit

  • Each speaker is allotted a maximum of three minutes.
  • The NRB Chair has final discretion on time limit.

Questions from NRB Members

  • NRB members may ask the speakers questions after their presentations.

Complex or Lengthy Issues

  • For complex or lengthy topics, participants are encouraged to supplement their testimony with written materials submitted prior to the deadline. This enables the NRB to be better informed on the subject.

Logistics

  • The NRB Liaison will contact all confirmed speakers with logistics information.

Information Requirements

Speakers are required to provide the following seven pieces of information.

  • Name of speaker.
  • The name of any organization(s) they are representing or whether they are representing themselves alone.
  • The agenda item they wish to speak on (include the topic if speaking under Item 5, Open Forum).
  • City of residence;
  • Phone number.
  • Email or mailing address so the NRB Liaison can confirm their registration to testify or receipt of written comments.
  • Whether the testimony will be given in person or via Zoom.

Guidelines For Submitting Written Comments

Format of Written Comments

  • Comments must be submitted in writing. Spoken comments, including phone calls, are not accepted.
  • Written comments may be submitted at any time; however, to be considered for inclusion in a meeting, comments must be received by 11 a.m. on the Wednesday prior to each meeting, unless otherwise noted. The specific deadline for each meeting is listed on the meeting agenda.

Infomation Requirements

Speakers are required to provide the following six pieces of information.

  • Name of submitter.
  • The name of any organization(s) they are representing.
  • The agenda item they wish to speak on (include the topic if submitting under Item 5, Open Forum).
  • City of residence.
  • Phone number.
  • Email or mailing address so the NRB Liaison can confirm their registration to testify or respond to written comments.

Contact information

For NRB-related questions, information requests, written comment submittal or registration to speak at an NRB meeting or listening session, please contact:

NRB Liaison
tel:+1-608-267-7420
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

The Natural Resources Board and DNR are committed to serving people with disabilities. If you need NRB information in an alternative format, please email or call the NRB Liaison.