Public Participation

The Board provides opportunities for citizens to appear and to submit written comments regarding issues that come before the Board.

Appearances should be brief and concise. In order to accommodate as many persons as possible, the Board has established the following guidelines:

Citizen Participation

(Speaking on items that are not on the current Board agenda)

1. Citizen Participation appearances are usually made at 1 p.m. on the day of the Board meeting. When the Board meets at different locations around the state, appearances are accepted every month. When the Board is in Madison, appearances are accepted every other month.
2. Individuals or organizations are limited to a maximum of five minutes before the Board, regardless of the number of topics, unless the Board Chairperson limits presentations to three minutes. Please be prepared for either time limit. Board members may question citizens following their presentations.
3. The Board encourages individuals to confine their remarks to broad general policy issues rather than the day-to-day operations of the Department of Natural Resources.
4. Organizations are limited to two spokespersons on an issue.
5. On complex issues, individuals who wish to appear before the Board are encouraged to mail advance materials for Board members to review.
6. Citizen participation is not permitted on matters that are currently in litigation.

Public Appearances

(Speaking on items that are on the current Board agenda)

1. Public appearances cannot be made on items that are on the Board agenda for public hearing authorization.
2. Public appearances cannot be made on information items on the current agenda.
3. Public appearances are made after an agenda item has been presented by the Board. Board members may question citizens following their presentations.
4. Individuals or organizations are limited to a maximum of five minutes before the Board, regardless of the number of topics, unless the Board Chairperson limits presentations to three minutes. Please be prepared for either time limit. Board members may question citizens following their presentations.
5. The Board encourages individuals to confine their remarks to broad general policy issues rather than the day-to-day operations of the Department of Natural Resources.
6. Oganizations are limited to two spokespersons on an issue.
7. On complex issues, individuals who wish to appear before the Board are encouraged to mail advance materials for Board members to review.

Written Comments

If you are commenting on a current agenda item, please include the agenda item number and whether or not you support it. If your comments are lengthy, please begin with a one-paragraph summary.

Deadline for Public Participation

Requests for Citizen Participation and Public Appearances must be made and written comments must be submitted to the Natural Resources Board Liaison no later than 4 p.m. on the Friday prior to the meeting.

To schedule Citizen Participation and Public Appearances before the Natural Resources Board, please call or email the Board Liaison.

To submit a written comment, please mail, email, or deliver the comment to the Board Liaison:

Laurie Ross
Natural Resources Board Liaison
101 S. Webster Street
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
608.267.7420

When scheduling an appearance or submitting a written comment, please provide the following information:

1. Your Name
2. Name of Organization(s) you represent (if none, state that you are "representing self")
3. Topic or agenda item number and whether you support or oppose it
4. City of Residence
5. Phone Number
6. Email or mailing address (to receive confirmation of your appearance or receive a reply to your written comment)