Audio from the October WI Natural Resources Board meeting

[John Lovaas]

I've converted and uploaded two audio files from the 10/27 Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting, covering agenda item 3B1- the emergency WNS management plan.

The first file runs until attorney Bill O'Connor finishes speaking, and a recess is called. The second parts picks up just after DNR staff began answering a second round of questions from the board.

Part 1(1hr30min, 15.8mb):

http://www.caves.org/grotto/wss/audio/o ... b1_pt1.mp3

and Part 2(30min, 5.16mb):

http://www.caves.org/grotto/wss/audio/o ... b1_pt2.mp3

The meeting audio is a good overview of what we are dealing with in Wisconsin.

The text that follows is the current WIDNR information on the upcoming November 29 public hearings and deadline for written comments on the plan discussed at the Oct. 27 NRB meeting. I hope that everyone reading this will consider submitting written comments.

November 29 - Pursuant to §§ 23.09(2), 29.604, 227.11(2) and 227.24, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on the emergency and permanent rule proposals to list four cave bat species as threatened in § NR 27.03(3), Wis. Adm. Code and on the emergency and permanent rule proposals to list the white-nose syndrome fungus, Geomyces destructans, as a prohibited invasive species in § NR 40.04(2), Wis. Adm. Code.

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/2010/Sept ... 0-3B12.pdf
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/2010/Sept ... 0-3B13.pdf
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/2010/Octo ... 10-3B1.pdf



The proposed rule changes seeks to provide protection to Wisconsin cave bat species, which face the imminent threat of white-nose syndrome. White-nose syndrome has spread across 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces in the last 3 years, spreading up to 800 miles per year. Mortality rates of affected bat colonies reach 100 percent.

The disease was located last spring within 225 miles of Wisconsin's southern boarder and 300 miles from the northern boarder. Because the known dispersal distance of the little brown bat is 280 miles, an affected cave is now located within the dispersal range of Wisconsin little brown bats. Based on the current location and known rate of spread of the disease, we anticipate the presence of white-nose syndrome in Wisconsin as early as January 2011.

The proposed changes to Ch. NR 27, Wis. Admin. Code, will add the four cave bat species in Wisconsin to the Wisconsin threatened species list. The four species include the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and eastern pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus). The proposed changes to ch. NR 40, Wis. Adm. Code, will add the fungus, Geomyces destructans, to the list of prohibited invasive species, allowing the department to effectively manage its spread and limit human transport.

The changes would also: give department personnel access to mines or caves to monitor for the fungus that causes WNS; restrict the use of caving and mine equipment inside Wisconsin caves that has been used outside the state; require decontamination procedures for clothing, gear and other equipment that is taken in or near a cave or mine; and allow the department to work with landowners to install and maintain -- at no cost to the owner -- physical barriers to limit access to caves or mines by either people or bats. Existing rules ban the transportation (including importation), possession, transfer (including sale) and introduction of invasive species that are listed or identified as “prohibited”, with certain exceptions.

Transportation, possession, transfer and introduction without a permit are exempt if the department determines that the transportation, possession, transfer or introduction was incidental or unknowing, and was not due to the person’s failure to take reasonable precautions. Existing rules authorize the department to enter property with the permission of the owner or person in control of the property and, if permission cannot be obtained, to seek an inspection warrant from the Circuit Court. Entry is only for the purpose of inspection, sampling or control of prohibited invasive species.

The proposed rules and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules website:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/legal/adminrules.html

Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Stacy Rowe, DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by email to stacy.rowe@wisconsin.gov.

Comments may be submitted until November 29, 2010. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings. More information or copy of the proposed rules and fiscal estimates may be obtained from Stacy Rowe at (608) 266-7012.

Following a brief informational presentation, public comments and statements will be accepted.

FOOTNOTE: "On October 27, 2010, the State Natural Resources Board adopted the emergency rule IS-49-10(E) with an amendment that delayed the decontamination requirements and the authority to restrict access to caves/mines to either humans or bats as applied to commercial caves or mines until 45 days after the effective date of the rule order."

The hearings will begin at 11 a.m. (on Monday, November 29) simultaneously via video conference, with participation at the following locations:

Green Bay - Green Bay State Office Building, Room 618, 200 North Jefferson St.
Madison - The Pyle Center, Room 315, 702 Langdon St.
Eau Claire - Division of State Facilities, Eau Claire State Office Building, Room 139, 718 W Clairemont Ave.
Wausau - UW Marathon County, Room 218, 518 S. 7th Ave.