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Public hearings to review two proposed DNR rules for assessing health of Wisconsin waters

Contact(s): Kristi Minahan, DNR water quality standards specialist, 608-266-7055
August 27, 2019

Hearings scheduled for Sept. 12 in Madison and Green Bay

DNR staff surveying a lake's aquatic plants to assess lake health. Photo credit: DNR

MADISON, Wis. - The public will have an opportunity to learn more about and comment on two proposed administrative rules concerning the assessment of overall health of Wisconsin lakes and streams at a joint public hearing on Sept. 12 in Madison and Green Bay.

The goals of these rules are to clarify policies, provide consistent processes and provide protection of aquatic life and recreation for the public. The rules describe how biological communities within a lake or stream, such as fish, insects, plants and algae, are used to assess its overall health. It also establishes how algae and plants will be used to determine whether a lake is responding to elevated phosphorus levels and whether a waterbody may need a different phosphorus criterion.

DNR staff examine the catch from a fish survey on the Sugar River to assess the river's health. Photo credit: Jim Amrhein

Public participation is a critical component of agency rulemaking. The proposed language is available by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for "proposed permanent rules" under Board Orders WY-23-13 and WT-17-12.

The public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster Street, Room G09, in Madison. To allow greater participation, the public may also attend in Green Bay, where the hearing will be simulcast to the Green Bay DNR Service Center, 2984 Shawano Avenue, Lake Michigan Room.

Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings or to Kristi Minahan by email at kristi.minahan@wisconsin.gov, DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov, by U.S. mail to Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, or calling 608-266-7055. The deadline for comments is Sept. 20, 2019.