Notice of Hearing
Natural Resources Board Order FH-11-23 (E), EmR2401 The Department of Natural Resources announces that it will hold a public hearing on an emergency rule to revise chs. NR 20 and 25, relating to Lake Superior cisco and lake trout regulations and affecting small business, at the time and place shown below. This rule is currently in effect and was adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on December 13, 2023, and approved by the Governor on December 21, 2023. Hearing Information
Date: February 15, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Or call in (audio only)
Phone Conference ID: 182 252 102#
Rule Information: These rules increase the trigger which would result in the closure of recreational lake trout harvest for Lake Superior to reflect an increased harvest quota of lake trout.
The overall lake trout harvest quota for state commercial and recreational fishers and tribal fishers will increase through this rule.
Finally, these rules establish a minimum mesh size requirement of 4 ¼ inch stretch measure on the pot of the trap for trap nets used in Lake Superior. This will prevent the incidental catch and mortality of lake whitefish that are caught in lake trout and lake whitefish fishing operations.
Accessibility: For the hearing or visually impaired, non-English speakers, or those with other personal circumstances which might make communication at the meeting/hearing difficult, DNR will, to the maximum extent possible and with reasonable advance notice, provide aids including an interpreter, or a non-English, large-print, or recorded version of hearing documents. To access these resources, please contact the email address or phone number listed below as soon as possible.
Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments
The public has the opportunity to testify at the virtual hearing. Registration will take place at the hearing by completing a Hearing Appearance form. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged if you plan to provide spoken comments during the hearing. To pre-register, please download and complete the fillable Hearing Appearance form and send it to scott.loomans@wisconsin.gov. If appearing at the hearing by telephone, the hearing officer will verbally ask for the information on the Hearing Appearance form which inclues; Last name, Address, city, state, and zip code.
Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before February 16, 2024. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail, E-mail, or through the internet and will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing.
Written comments and any questions on the proposed rules should be submitted to:
Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Scott Loomans
P.O. Box 7921
101 S. Webster Street,
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis: This rule is likely to have a minimal (less than $50,000) total economic impact on commercial fishing businesses and sport fishing businesses. Both the lake trout quota allocation for the commercial fishery and the lake trout harvest closure trigger will increase in this rule, allowing for additional lake trout commercial harvest and more opportunities for recreational fishers to harvest lake trout with a lower risk of an early season closure. This will benefit local businesses.
The rule does not allow for the potential to establish a reduced fine for small businesses, nor does it establish “alternative enforcement mechanisms” for “minor violations” of administrative rules made by small businesses. Public utility rate payers and local governmental units will not be affected by the rule.
Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Emma Esch (608) 266-1959
