Natural Resources Board

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On Octber 28, 2026, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the October meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters included on the following agenda:

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

CONSENT

1. Approval of the brief of action from Sept. 23, 2026
2. Acknowledgement of Donation – The Milwaukee Astronomical Society donated an observatory valued at $22,500. This donation will be used to provide educational programs and further share the night sky with visitors
3. Acknowledgement of Donation – Friends of Blue Mound State Park donated a Terrain Hopper all-terrain mobility scooter valued at $23,680
4. Acknowledgement of Donation – Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin donated $40,385.61 to the Bureau of Wildlife Management. This donation will be used to support the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway
5. Acknowledgement of Donation – The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin donated $59,750 to the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. This donation will be used to support the Wisconsin Bat Program
6. Acknowledgement of Donation – Progressive Insurance donated printed informational and educational materials valued at $180,000

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

Action Items

Adoption

1. Request that the Board adopt Board Order DG-02-25, for proposed rules affecting ch. NR 140, related to setting numeric standards to minimize the concentration of polluting substances for certain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in groundwater based on the 2025 DHS recommendations

Scope Statements

1. Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order DG-01-26 and conditionally approve a public hearing and submittal of the proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse. This rule package affects ch. NR 140 related to setting numeric standards to minimize the concentration of pesticide substances in groundwater (Cycle 13)
2. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for FH-09-26 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chs. NR 19-26, related to changes to fishing regulations on inland, outlying and boundary waters
3. Request that the Board approve the Statement of Scope for FH-13-26 and conditionally approve the public hearing notice and notice of submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse, for proposed rules affecting chs. NR 20 and 25, related to gill net requirements for commercial fishing

Other Approvals

1. Land Donation for the Clam River Fishery Area in Burnett County
2. Land Exchange for Ridgeway Pine Relict State Natural Area in Iowa County
3. Request that the Board approve department recommendations for Lake Superior lake trout quotas

OPEN FORUM

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Lake Michigan Commercial Fishing Update
2. Lake Superior Commercial Fishing Update
3. An information item on the 2026 epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak in white-tailed deer in Wisconsin

DEPARTMENT SECRETARY’S MATTERS

1. Acts of the Department Secretary – Real Estate Transactions

BOARD MEMBERS’ MATTERS