February 2026 Agenda and Meeting Materials

WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

MEETING AGENDA

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

Location:
Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
101 South Webster Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703

The meeting can be streamed live on YouTube: Feb. 25, 2026 NRB Meeting Broadcast

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on the agenda.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that public testimony will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for this meeting. The deadline to request to testify and/or submit written comments for board consideration is 11 a.m. on Feb. 18, 2026.

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 Feb. 25, 2026
2. CONSENT
   1. Approval of brief of action from Jan. 28, 2026
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

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

   1. Request that the Board adopt FWP-22-24, proposed rules affecting chs. NR 1 and NR 45 related to minor changes to DNR property management regulations (the 2025 property management housekeeping rule)
      (Meredith Penthorn, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Policy Specialist)
   2. Request that the Board adopt Board Order WM-06-25, proposed rules affecting chapters NR 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 45 related to the 2025 Wildlife Management Housekeeping rule
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Regulation Policy Specialist)
   3. Request that the Board adopt Board Order NH-04-25, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 16, 19, 21, 22, and 45 related to amphibian and reptile regulations
      (Rori Paloski, Herpetologist, Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation)
   4. Request adoption for Board Order FH-19-24, for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 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)

   SCOPE STATEMENTS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome)

   5. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for FH-21-25(E) and FH-22-25 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chs. NR 20 and 40, related to changes to the bag and possession limit for round goby on Lake Winnebago system area waters and possession and bag limit for other detrimental species on other waters of the state 
      (Kari Lee-Zimmermann, Fisheries Regulations & Policy Specialist)

   OTHER APPROVALS (Citizen Testimony and Written Comment Welcome) 

   6. Land Acquisition – Devil’s Lake State Park and Ice Age Trail - Sauk County
      (Kaylin Helm, Real Estate Section Manager)
5. OPEN FORUM (Citizen testimony and written comment on topics not addressed in other agenda items welcome)
6. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Comment Welcome)
   1. The 2026 Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearing Agenda
      (Rob Bohmann, Wisconsin Conservation Congress Chair)
   2. The 2026 Fisheries Management Spring Hearing agenda of advisory questions
      (Kari Lee-Zimmermann, Fisheries Regulations & Policy Specialist)
   3. The 2026 Wildlife Management Spring Hearing agenda of advisory questions
      (Scott Karel, Wildlife Regulation Policy Specialist)
   4. Overview of the Office of Agriculture and Water Quality and Progress on Statewide Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
      (Jeffrey Voltz, Director- Office of Agriculture & Water Quality)
   5. Report of the 2025-2026 deer seasons
      (Alene Kleczek, Customer and Outreach Services Director; Andi Sedlacek, Communications Director; Casey Krueger, Chief Warden; Ryan Haffele, Acting Deer Program Specialist)
7. DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS
   1. Retirement Recognitions
      1. Jeff Pritzl, 38 years
      2. John Morris, 35 years
      3. Darren Kuhn, 30 years
   2. Acts of the Department Secretary
      1. Real Estate Transactions
   3. Department Secretary’s Matters
8. BOARD MEMBERS’ MATTERS
   1. Board Member Spring Hearing Questions
   2. Board Member Matters

For up-to-date information about the NRB, including meeting agendas, materials and how to provide comments or testify, please visit https://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/.

For any NRB-related questions, to request information or to submit written comments, please contact:
Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison
telephone: 1-608-267-7420
email: DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov

The NRB and the DNR are committed to ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities. To request information in an alternative format, please contact the NRB Liaison.

The DNR is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all staff and visitors. To support individuals with chemical sensitivities, we kindly request that you refrain from wearing or using scented products while attending a meeting.