August 2025 Agenda and Meeting Materials

View Wisconsin Natural Resources Board agendas, meeting calendar, webcasts, biographies and public participation information online at http://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/overview.html.

Public Participation Deadline: Requests to testify and/or submit written comments must be received by the NRB Liaison no later than 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.

The Natural Resources Board will meet in-person. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In-person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely, in-person, or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration.

The public is encouraged to watch the Board meeting via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61vPE3r3LCQ&list=PLz1F3wus1j4waMx2rbPQUEReDmDcngkdT&index=7

WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

AGENDA

For the meeting at:
Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
101 South Webster Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7-8 as listed on the agenda.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that matters concerning natural resource issues or the Department’s program responsibilities or operations specified in the Wisconsin Statutes, which arise after publication of this agenda may be added to the agenda and publicly noticed no less than two hours before the scheduled board meeting, if the Board Chair determines that the matter is urgent.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1.  ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
   1. Calling the roll
   2. Secretary’s Remarks
   3. Approval of agenda for Aug.13, 2025
       
2. CONSENT
   1. Approval of brief of action from June 25, 2025
   2. Acknowledgment of Donation – The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will donate $20,600 for Spur Lake State Natural Area
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   3. Acknowledgment of Donation – Andrew F. Bell Second Restated Revocable Living Trust donated $34,917.00: $17,458.50 to the Bureau of Wildlife Management (WM) and $17,458.50 to the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation (NHC). This donation will be used by WM for wetland habitat research and management and by NHC for rare species monitoring and habitat management
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   4. Acknowledgment of Donation – Midwest Family Ski Resorts donated a roof replacement to the Sundance Chalet building valued at $76,316.25. This donation will be used to enhance the building’s condition benefiting visitors
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   5. Acknowledgment of Donation – The Friends of Peninsula State Park donated $25,000. This donation will be used to replace the parking lots at the White Cedar Nature Center
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   6. Acknowledgment of Donation – The Friends of Peninsula State Park donated seasonal natural resources educator funding valued at $25,060. This donation will be used to pay wages for natural resource educator positions
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   7. Acknowledgment of Donation – The Peninsula Golf Association donated $50,000. This donation will be used to replace the parking lots at Peninsula State Park Golf Course
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   8. Acknowledgment of Donation – The Newport Wilderness Society donated improvements to the Newport Dark Sky Amphitheater and day use area. This donation will be used to allow for improved programs and visitor experiences at the facilities
      (Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Secretary)
   9. Request that the Board authorize a preliminary public hearing and comment period for the Statement of Scope for Board Order WA-01-25, for proposed rules affecting chs. NR 660 to 679, pertaining to hazardous waste recordkeeping and reporting requirements, Canadian import-export operation codes, and standards for spent refrigerants being recycled for reuse
      (Kate Strom-Hiorns, Waste and Materials Management Bureau Director)
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
    

4. ACTION ITEMS
   SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome) 

   1. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order WM-06-25 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 10, 11, 16, 19 and 45 related to the 2025 Wildlife Management Housekeeping rule
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Regulation Policy Specialist)
   2. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order WM-05-25 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting type chapter NR 10 related to beaver management
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Regulation Policy Specialist)
   3. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for Board Order FH-19-24 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 8, 13, 19 – 26, 102, and 104 related to minor changes, corrections, and clarifications to fishing regulations on inland, outlying and boundary waters (the 2025 Fisheries Management housekeeping rule)
      (Kari Lee-Zimmermann, Fisheries Regulations & Policy Specialist)

   
   OTHER APPROVALS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome) 

   4. Request map correction of approved 2025 Deer Season Recommendations
      (Jeff Pritzl, State Deer Program Specialist)
       
5. OPEN FORUM (Testimony that pertains to topics not on the meeting agenda or not in litigation) – after items 1-4 or following morning break at approximately 10:15 a.m. Please refer to pages 3 and 4 of the agenda for required pre-registration information and protocol.
    
6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. Biennial Habitat Work Plan
      (Tim Lizotte, Land and Habitat Conservation Supervisor, Bureau of Wildlife Management)
   2. Informational update on the final 2025-27 biennial budget as it relates to the Department of Natural Resources
      (Maggie Hutter, Director of Management Budget)
   3. Overview of WI DNR off-highway vehicle (OHV) safety program, OHV trends, enforcement and public outreach efforts.
      (Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator, Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection, Major April Dombrowski, Recreational Safety and Outdoor Skills Bureau Director, Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection Andrea (Andi) Sedlacek, Office of Communications Director)
       
7. DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS
   1. Retirement Recognition
      1. Tom Gilles, Wildlife Management, 44 years
      2. Meja L. Maka, Community Financial Assistance 32 years
      3. Dale H. Rezabek, Water Regulations Zoning Specialist, 13 years
   2. Acts of the Department Secretary
      1. Real Estate Transactions
   3. Department Secretary’s Matters
       
8. BOARD MEMBERS’ MATTERS
   1. Approval of the 2026 Natural Resources Board Meeting Dates
   2. Board Member Matters

The public is welcome to view the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting via YouTube. The NRB also provides opportunities for citizens to testify and to submit written comment about issues that come before the NRB. See complete information on public participation at Board meetings at http://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/public.html.

The public is encouraged to watch the Board meeting via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61vPE3r3LCQ&list=PLz1F3wus1j4waMx2rbPQUEReDmDcngkdT&index=7

The following meeting resources are also available: Agenda Item Packets (also known as green sheet packages are linked to the corresponding item on the online meeting agenda at https://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/ – click on the blue “View agendas” button then scroll down), supporting documents, and public comment. Live transcription of the webcast is autogenerated and not a legal record of the Board Meeting. The approved Brief of Action and meeting recording constitute the official Board’s minutes.

Public Appearance Protocol: Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration. You must be pre-registered to testify. Please include your name, daytime phone number, email address, city of residence, agenda item you request to testify on (include topic for item 5-Open Forum), and name of organization you will represent (if none, state “self”). Confirmed speakers will receive meeting logistics via email. Those confirmed to testify on a specific agenda item will testify on that item prior to vote. Please review: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB/public.html.

NOTE: The Board welcomes citizen input on matters of natural resources management and Department programs and policies. Comments concerning any individual’s personal information or personal business are not appropriate and will not be allowed.

The time for item 5. – Open Forum - will be after items 1-4 or immediately following the morning break at approximately 10:15 a.m. If you request to testify during Open Forum, please be ready to speak when the Board takes up this item. Each speaker will have three minutes to give their testimony; however, the Board Chair has final discretion on time limit.

The following is from the Board’s meeting guidelines: Only one speaker per organization. Testimony that threatens, intimidates, or includes disparaging comments about Board Members, department staff, and other members of the public will not be allowed. Those that do so may be removed from the meeting or remote location.

Please contact Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov with NRB related questions, to request information, to submit written comments and to register to testify at a meeting.

Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify and/or written comment is 11 a.m. on Aug. 6, 2025.

The DNR strives to ensure the comfort and safety of staff and visitors by encouraging a fragrance-free environment. Our chemically-sensitive staff and visitors thank you for refraining from using scented products.

The NRB and Department of Natural Resources are committed to serving people with disabilities. Please contact the NRB Liaison to request NRB information in an alternative format.