Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Weekly Digest Bulletin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2021
Contact: Kevin Olson, DNR Community Financial Assistance Specialist
Kevin.Olson@wisconsin.gov or 608-234-2238

DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of The City Of Nekoosa Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Project

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the City of Nekoosa is an applicant for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to address deficiencies in its public drinking water system. The projects primarily include the replacement of lead service lines throughout the City of Nekoosa.

Activities related to this project are minor actions under Chapter NR 150, Wis. Admin. Code, for which no environmental analysis is required; however, following the SDWLP federal requirement 40 C.F.R. §35.3580, an environmental review must be conducted before funding this project.

The SDWLP has determined that the project will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding the project.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of this project. Submit comments by April 26, 2021 to:

Department of Natural Resources
C/O Kevin Olson, Community Financial Assistance, CF/2
101 S Webster St.
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
Phone: 608-234-2238 or Email: Kevin.Olson@wisconsin.gov

Based on the comments received, the SDWLP may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the funding process. The analysis would summarize the Department of Natural Resources’ consideration of the project's impacts and reasonable alternatives.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2021
Contact:Capt. Cara Kamke, DNR Training Director
Cara.Kamke@wisconsin.gov or 608-866-0236

DNR Recruiting Next Class Of Wisconsin
Conservation Wardens

Part-Time Positions Also Available

The 2021 DNR conservation warden application period opens April 12 and the DNR will accept applications for approximately two weeks. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages anyone with a passion for helping people and protecting natural resources to apply to be a part of the next class of conservation wardens.  

The 2021 DNR conservation warden application period opens April 12 and the DNR will accept applications for approximately two weeks. Learn more about this remarkable and critical career and apply here.

"DNR Conservation wardens serve everyone who depends on our natural resources, and that means every person in our state. Building a diverse team of conservation wardens is critical to our success,” said DNR Training Director Capt. Cara Kamke. “We have an effective training program to help newly-hired staff find success in this unique career, and we hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds. No prior law enforcement experience is required."

Conservation wardens are credentialed law enforcement officers who work throughout the state, enforcing natural resource and recreation safety laws, educating the public on conservation topics and providing law enforcement services on state parks, forests and trails.  

“We work in the big cities and the rural areas throughout Wisconsin, providing a voice to our natural resources and ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy and depend on our environment,” said DNR Conservation Warden Marcus Medina. 

The work conservation wardens do on state properties is also a critical part of the mission. Working in state parks, forests and trails offers unique experiences mixing both traditional and natural resources law enforcement duties.

“What we do now will directly impact the environment and resources we will pass on to future generations,” said DNR Conservation Warden Vong Xiong. “My best day as a warden is knowing I made a difference. Nothing lasts forever if you don’t take care of it, and that’s why I became a Wisconsin conservation warden.”

DNR conservation wardens work cooperatively with other law enforcement and public safety agencies at the local, state and federal level of law enforcement and emergency response initiatives.  Conservation wardens also respond to natural disasters and public safety emergencies. Partnerships and relationships play a big role in the success of the conservation warden team. The DNR regularly partners with local communities to help educate them, solve problems and address concerns.

Part-time conservation warden positions also are also available. Interested candidates can apply once and will be eligible for both full and part-time opportunities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2021
Contact: Randy Johnson, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist
Randy.Johnson@wisconsin.gov or 715-499-0010

DNR Seeking Public Comment On Fall 2021 Wolf Harvest Season And Future Of Wolf Management

Comment Period Open April 15 To May 15

The DNR invites the public to provide input on the next 10 years of wolf management in Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: iStock/AB Photography

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it is seeking public input on the next 10 years of wolf management in Wisconsin. The DNR simultaneously requests public comment on the fall 2021 wolf harvest season through the same online input tool.

The public comment period will be open April 15 to May 15 during which the online input tool will available on the DNR Wolf management plan webpage.

As part of the management plan revision process, the DNR will convene a Wolf Management Plan Committee (WMPC). Ahead of the summer WMPC meetings, the DNR encourages the public to provide input on the next 10 years of wolf management in Wisconsin. 

Following the public comment period on wolf management's future in Wisconsin, the WMPC will provide input to the DNR for developing an updated wolf management plan. The committee will comprise stakeholder groups, including hunting/trapping organizations, wolf advocacy/education organizations and agricultural/ranching organizations. The DNR also reserves additional seats on the WMPC for invited tribal and governmental agencies, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and DNR technical staff support.

The DNR will write an initial draft of the wolf plan, guided by science and input from the WMPC and the public. The draft plan will be made available for public review and comment. The DNR will then submit a final draft to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for approval in mid-2022.

The DNR is also simultaneously working to prepare for a fall 2021 wolf harvest season through a transparent and science-based process. The DNR has convened a 2021 Wolf Harvest Advisory Committee to provide input on the fall season's management objectives and harvest quota. The committee will consider the current management plan, state statute and the February 2021 season report in providing input to the department.

Throughout the process, the DNR will also coordinate with tribal partners and seek further public input on harvest objectives.

Visit the DNR's website for more information on the wolf management plan and the Fall 2021 wolf harvest season.

Wolf Management Planning Committee Timeline

2021 Wolf Harvest Season Planning Timeline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications 
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov  

Wisconsin State Park System Spring Operations Update

Adventure awaits this spring at Wisconsin State Parks. Spring operations updates now available. / Photo Credit: iStock/FatCamera

MADISON, Wis. – Spring has sprung. And with 49 state parks, more than 500 boat launches, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, over 5,000 campsites, and much more – your adventure awaits.

As we usher in a new season, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced several State Park System operations updates outlined below.

Starting April 30, the following changes will be implemented:

• Observation towers and playgrounds will be open
• Volunteer group sizes will be increased to 50 people
• Capacity for open-air shelters, amphitheaters and outdoor group campgrounds will be increased to 100 people
• Non-department led special event capacity will increase from 50 to 100. Special event permit applicants may work with property staff to phase larger events with capacities over 100.
• Stand-alone concession facilities will open to the public at 50% capacity including staff

In addition to the operations updates, the following amenities continue to be available to state park visitors:

• Family camping (100% reservable with auto check-in)
• Outdoor group camping, maximum capacity of 100 people (100% reservable with auto check-in)
• Bathroom and dump station facilities
• Accessible cabins
• Drive-up window service
• Concessions, including firewood sales

Rock Island will remain closed to all visitors through Thursday, May 27 to allow for repairs to the dock including dredging of the dock area. Camping reservation holders will be contacted directly and those scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, May 26 or Thursday, May 27, will be given the opportunity to shorten their stay to arrive on Friday, May 28.

Indoor group campgrounds and indoor shelters, including the Flambeau River State Forest yurt, will also remain closed through June 1. Wisconsin state park and property visitor capacity closures will remain in place to help manage overcrowding and promote social distancing.

The following State Natural Areas are now open:

• Pewits Nest
• Parfrey's Glen
  
  

Spring Reminders

Rain coupled with an increase in use can sometimes be damaging to public spaces and natural resources. While DNR staff try to provide signage and condition updates whenever possible, please be sure to stay on trails and seek dry trail alternatives if you find muddy conditions.

Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing and to wear a face covering when a distance of 6 feet or greater cannot be achieved.

State park visitors can purchase annual admission passes online, over the phone by calling local properties directly or in-person at self-registration stations at individual properties.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2021
Contact: Jon Simonsen, DNR Environmental Analysis and Review Specialist 
jonathan.simonsen@wisconsin.gov or 715-367-1936

DNR Seeking Public Comment For Wild Rice Management Strategic Analysis

Deadline To Submit Comments June 7

Wild rice is part of Wisconsin’s natural landscape. Beds of wild rice help maintain good water quality, and they provide food and habitat for waterfowl and many other types of wildlife. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on a draft Statewide Strategic Analysis of Wild Rice Management through June 7, 2021.

Wild rice is part of Wisconsin’s natural landscape. Beds of wild rice help maintain good water quality, and they provide food and habitat for waterfowl and many other types of wildlife. Protecting and managing wild rice will help ensure many wildlife species persevere for all to enjoy. Wild rice is also a culturally significant plant to Wisconsin’s Native American tribes, which have a personal and longstanding connection to wild rice. 

The management of wild rice intersects with several DNR programs. The department chose to use the strategic analysis process to evaluate the range of scientific, natural resource and socioeconomic factors involved with protecting and encouraging the growth of wild rice. The purpose of the strategic analysis is to inform decision-makers and the public about current wild rice conditions, authorities and management practices, information gaps and alternative approaches.

A strategic analysis does not establish DNR policy or change existing rules. Instead, it will assist decision-makers, stakeholders and the public to better understand wild rice issues and make informed decisions about its management. This strategic analysis is the precursor to the development of a Statewide Wild Rice Management Plan.

“Wild rice is an amazing plant. Each year it grows from seed and transforms open waters into seas of grass, teeming with birds, mammals, insects, fish and other aquatic species,” said Jon Simonsen, DNR Environmental Analysis and Review Specialist. “Whether you are familiar with wild rice or not, this analysis is intended to help anyone interested learn about wild rice and wild rice management.”

The public is encouraged to review and submit written comments to improve the accuracy, clarity and objectivity of the draft strategic analysis document by June 7, 2021 to:

Department of Natural Resources
c/o Jon Simonsen, DNR Rhinelander Service Center
107 Sutliff Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501
Email: Jonathan.Simonsen@wisconsin.gov

Following the public comment period, the department will review the input and provide a summary of the comments received. The public will be notified once a final version of the Strategic Analysis is available.

To learn more about the Wild Rice Management Strategic Analysis, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2021
Contact: Taylor Finger, DNR Migratory Game Bird Ecologist
Taylor.Finger@wisconsin.gov or 608-212-7923

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Approves 2021 Migratory Bird Hunting Season Framework
And Regulations

Highlights Include New Open Water Duck Zone

The 2021 Wisconsin migratory bird season structure has been set by the Natural Resources Board. / Photo Credit: Eugene Hester/USFWS

MADISON, Wis. – Thanks to input from hunters and new scientific research, changes are coming to the 2021 migratory bird hunting season. Today the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) voted unanimously for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to move forward with proposed rules for the 2021 migratory bird season framework and regulations.

Highlights from the approved season structure include:

• A new duck zone structure for the 2021 season. A new Open Water Zone has been created in the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, and the former Mississippi River Zone has been absorbed into the South Zone.
• The South Canada Goose Zone has a daily bag limit of three Canada geese during the first portion of the season, and a daily bag limit of five Canada geese during the Holiday Hunt.
• Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s season framework, there will be a scaup bag limit of one scaup for 15 days and two scaup for 45 days.

“The 2021 season frameworks are based on the most current scientific data, as well as on input from the public, conservation and hunting groups and results from a waterfowl hunter survey,” said Taylor Finger, DNR migratory bird ecologist. “We used all the tools in our toolbox to collect public input while adhering to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Virtual meetings and expanded online outreach increased our engagement with our customers. In total, we received more than 1,500 comments regarding the 2021 waterfowl season proposals.”

The public plays a crucial role in setting the waterfowl season structure. View the 2021 public input results and comments here. Learn more about waterfowl hunting here.

Early season dates are as follows:

Duck season dates and bag limits are as follows. Opening day shooting hours will begin one-half hour before sunrise for all regular waterfowl hunting seasons.

The daily bag limit statewide is six ducks, including no more than:

There is a 60-day restrictive scaup bag limit (federal restriction; 15 days at one scaup/day and 45 days at two scaup/day):

Regular goose season dates are as follows (92 days total):