Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will hold its September meeting in person on Wednesday, Sept. 24, starting at 8:30 a.m. The session will take place in public meeting room G09 at the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), located at 101 South Webster Street in Madison.

The agenda for the meeting includes consideration of several proposed rulemaking documents and other board matters. According to the announcement, the Board is scheduled to act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on its published agenda.

Members of the public are encouraged to observe the proceedings via a livestream available on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) YouTube channel. Those interested in making a public appearance or submitting written comments must register by 11 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2025. The NRB will accept remote testimony from the public through Zoom, while also welcoming those who wish to appear in person.

Among the items under consideration are requests for preliminary public hearings and comment periods regarding several statements of scope for proposed rules:

- Authorization for a hearing and comment period related to Board Order NH-08-25, which concerns rules affecting chapters NR 40 regarding invasive species.

- Authorization for Board Order NH-04-25, involving proposed changes to amphibian and reptile regulations across multiple chapters.

- Authorization for Board Order FH-10-25, focused on interpreting possession limits between boundary waters shared with neighboring states and Wisconsin’s inland and outlying waters.

Additionally, the Board is expected to consider adopting several proposed rules:

- Adoption of Board Order WM-17-24 relating to chapter NR 10, concerning wildlife management regulations set forth during the annual Spring Hearing.

- Adoption of Board Order DG-03-23 amending Subchapter III of chapter NR 812; this would update requirements and add new provisions for pump installations and water treatment systems.

- Adoption of DG-04-23 involving updates to chapter NR 146 that affect licensing and registration requirements for water well drillers, heat exchange drillers, pump installers, and drilling rig operators.

Other agenda items include approving statements of scope and conditionally approving hearing notices related to property management housekeeping rules (Board Order FWP-22-24) affecting numerous chapters governing DNR property management regulations; as well as hazardous waste recordkeeping and reporting requirements under chs. NR 660–679 (Board Order WA-01-25). These changes would address Canadian import-export operation codes and standards for recycling spent refrigerants.

During this session, updates will be provided on inter-agency outreach about potential lead exposure in venison, results from an audit of fish and wildlife accounts, and new advisories related to PFAS contamination affecting fish and wildlife in 2025.

The full agenda can be found online through the DNR website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB/agenda.html. Additional details about participating in board meetings—including instructions for testifying or submitting comments—are also available at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB/public.html.

“The public is encouraged to watch the September meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel.”

“The deadline to register for public appearance requests and to submit written comments is 11 a.m. on Sep. 17, 2025. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted. In-person public appearances are also welcome.”

“In addition to being encouraged to watch the upcoming meeting, there are opportunities for the public to testify and to submit written comments about issues that come before the NRB. More information regarding public participation at Board meetings is available on the DNR website.”