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09/10/2026

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Sept. 23


MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the September meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center, 107 North 1st Ave, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 as listed on the agenda.

The public is encouraged to watch the September meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel.

The deadline to register for public testimony and/or submit written comments for board consideration is 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted. In-person public appearances are also welcome.

During the September meeting, the Board will be considering:

Request that the Board adopt Board Order WA-15-24, for proposed rules affecting ch. NR 530, related to implementation of electronics recycling program requirements and affecting small businesses
Request that the Board adopt Board Order NH-08-25, for proposed rules affecting ch. NR 40, related to invasive species management
Request that the Board adopt Board Order FH-20-25, proposed rules affecting s. NR 20.35 to allow for alternate size and bag limits for walleye under specific conditions for the rehabilitation of walleye fisheries
Request that the Board adopt Board Order FH-22-25, proposed rules affecting chapter NR 20, related to changes to the bag and possession limit for detrimental species on waters of the state
Request that the Board adopt Board Order FH-10-25, for proposed rules affecting chs. NR 20, 21, 22, and 23, related to changes to fish possession limits on inland and outlying waters
Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order FH-07-26(E) and FH-08-26 and conditionally approve a public hearing and submittal of the proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse. This rule package affects chs. NR 20 and 25 and is related to fisheries harvest management in Lake Superior
Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order FR-02-26 and conditionally approve a public hearing and submittal of the proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse. This rule package affects ch. NR 47 and is related to forestry grant and state aid administration
Request that the Board approve the statement of scope for Board Order NH-03-26 and conditionally approve a public hearing and submittal of the proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse. This rule package affects chs. NR 10, 18, 19, 27 and 29 and is related to endangered and threatened species regulations
The Board will also receive an informational update on the 2027-29 biennial budget request as it relates to the DNR along with a report on the 2026 Wildfire season.

The complete September NRB meeting agenda is available on the DNR website. The agenda also includes the public notice and details for the NRB Tour, which will take place on Sept. 22.

In addition to being encouraged to watch the upcoming meeting, there are opportunities for the public to testify and to submit written comments about issues that come before the NRB. More information regarding public participation at Board meetings is available on the DNR website.

09/10/2026

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is asking the developer of a proposed extra-high-voltage transmission line to push back work on the project so the public can offer feedback.

Four lawmakers – Sen. Sarah Keyeski, D-Lodi, and Reps. Maureen McCarville, D-DeForest, Karen DeSanto, D-Baraboo, and Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc – in a letter yesterday asked Midcontinent Grid Solutions to delay its application to state regulators for a construction permit on a 190-mile, 765-kV line.

The BECI Project would run west from Crawford County through much of southwestern and south-central Wisconsin, including areas represented by the lawmakers.

It’s part of a larger buildout of the regional electric grid by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.

MGS has said it plans to submit a project application to the Public Service Commission in early 2027 and anticipates a 12-18 month review period before a final route is approved. MGS anticipates the line will go into service in 2033 under its current timetable.

State lawmakers want MGS to postpone its filing with the PSC until the developer can hold a new round of open house meetings in spring 2027 and give the public more time to provide input on the project.

The letter says lawmakers have heard from hundreds of constituents concerned about the project, the “vast majority” of whom feel they have not had enough time to give feedback.

“A repeated theme from these conversations is people feel utterly blindsided and overwhelmed by the idea of this project, the scope of the proposed build and the speed at which this process is moving,” the letter reads.

MGS scheduled a series of open houses in affected counties in August and told lawmakers its plans to hold another round of open houses in the fall.

The state lawmakers’ letter comes two days after U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, wrote a separate letter expressing his “strong opposition” to routing the project through the Driftless Area, a region Van Orden noted is known for its unique landscape and is economically dependent on tourism and agriculture.

In an email, MGS Director of Community Engagement Alan Ott said the developer will continue accepting comments from the public through its second round of open houses this fall and as part of the PSC review process.

He did not address state lawmakers’ request for the developer to push back submitting its application to the PSC.

“Our commitment is to develop a route that minimizes the impact on people, communities, property and the environment to the greatest extent possible, that is the standard guiding our routing work,” Ott wrote.

The letters come amid broader public backlash against proposals to build new high-voltage lines across the state.

Michael Browne of No 765 Line, a citizen group that opposes the BECI line and the proposed 140-mile MariBell transmission project in western Wisconsin, said the group welcomes lawmakers’ attention to this issue.

“It’s unfortunate that the developer has decided to rush the process in the way that they have,” Browne said. “A byproduct of their urgency is scrutiny on the process and their approach.”

09/09/2026

DNR Downtown Madison Service Center Will Close Sept. 30


MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today announced that with the sale of the GEF2 building in downtown Madison, the DNR’s central office located within the building will close to the public on Sept. 30, 2026.

The GEF2 building is being sold to developers as part of Gov. Tony Evers’ "Vision 2030” plan, which involves downsizing state office space and saving Wisconsin taxpayers money as the DNR and other state agencies introduce a more modern approach to their workforce.

Madison-based DNR staff will be relocating to Hill Farms, which will be a DNR field office. While a field office is not regularly open to the public, customers can schedule an appointment with local staff. To find the appropriate staff person to meet with in-person or via phone, call the DNR’s information line at 1-888-936-7463 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily or find a contact using the DNR's online Point of Contact tool.

If you are interested in purchasing a hunting or fishing license or renewing the registration on a boat or off-highway vehicle in person, the closest DNR Service Center is located in Fitchburg and there are several local options available with over 700 authorized sales agents statewide, as well as online via the Go Wild website.

To find a license sales agent near you, please contact the DNR at 1-888-936-7463 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily or access a map with the locations.

Various convenient, remote options for registering boats and vehicles exist including online and mail-in options.

The DNR remains committed to natural resource management and protection and making the outdoors accessible to all Wisconsinites and out-of-state visitors.

09/09/2026

State officials have announced 42 locations getting grant funding for new electric vehicle charging stations with $25 million in federal infrastructure dollars.

Gov. Tony Evers and the state Department of Transportation yesterday announced the new EV charging station sites, supported with funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“With gas prices that are sky-high thanks to President Trump’s war in Iran, expanding our electric vehicle charging infrastructure and helping families save money on fuel is as important as ever,” Evers said in a statement.

The state DOT has now awarded about $62 million for 120 EV charging projects in the state, after earlier grant awards were provided for stations at businesses located along Wisconsin’s Alternative Fuel Corridor system, including gas stations, restaurants and lodging.

Wisconsin has also finished funding EV charging sites at every 50-mile mark along key interstates and highways, according to yesterday’s announcement. As a result, the Evers administration is allowed to award grants to more areas of the state, the release shows.

The 42 newest sites are on U.S. and state highway corridors that weren’t previously considered for funding under the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, the guv’s office says.

Individual grant awards range from around $400,000 to more than $900,000 per site.

See charging locations here.

See the release.

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