February 12, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for Environment & Conservation

Record number of spearers expected

January 30, 2012 By

For the second year in a row a record number of Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing licenses have been sold; 12,680 people bought licenses, up from the previous record of just over 12,423 set last year. It’s also an increase of 50 percent since 2007. 

DNR Fisheries Supervisor Ron Bruch cites “public ownership” as a reason for the program’s popularity. He says the agency sets policy based largely in input received through the Winnebago Citizens’ Sturgeon Advisory Committee and Sturgeons for Tomorrow.

Bruch adds the sturgeon population is as robust as it’s been since the 1800s with DNR assessments showing a number of 200-pounders in the water.

With spotty winter conditions this year, Bruch advises spearers to be extra cautious when cutting into the ice.  Due to an algae bloom earlier this winter he says water clarity in the system is “marginal right now but they look to be improving.”

The season begins February 11 to February 26 or until spearers reach the harvest caps.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News, Recreation & Entertainment

State now managing wolf population

January 27, 2012 By

(Photo: WDNR)

Starting today, the state Department of Natural Resources now has greater authority to manage Wisconsin’s grey wolf population.

Wisconsin’s grey wolves are no longer considered a federally endangered species, and DNR mammal ecologist Adrian Wydeven says that will allow the state to have more control. While the state is still very concerned about the conservation of wolves, he says the change gives them more authority to balance those issues with controlling problem animals.

The DNR is ready to issue permits to landowners who have been dealing with wolf attacks. Wydeven several have already been notified that they can apply to remove wolves that have been attacking or threatening livestock and pets, or if a landowner lives near an area where attacks have occurred.

The state is also establishing control areas where attacks have frequently occurred which will also allow landowners to apply for permits.

Wydeven believes the tools they have in place right now will be adequate for taking over management of the wolf population, especially considering the DNR has had no real authority in years past.

The most recent DNR estimates put the state’s wolf population at about 800 animals.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:10)

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News

Mining bill in Assembly vote

January 26, 2012 By

A controversial mining bill is scheduled for action in the state Assembly Thursday, and Republicans are vowing to pass the measure. Majority Leader Scott Suder dismisses claims by opponents that environmental protections will go by the wayside. “What we’re doing is creating a reasonable permitting process, and a timeline that doesn’t compromise environmental integrity,” says Suder.

AUDIO: Rep. Scott Suder (:45) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Environment & Conservation, Legislature, News

Mining bill ready for Assembly vote

January 25, 2012 By

A state Assembly committee advances a bill aimed at getting an iron mine up and running in northern Wisconsin. The big item of contention, an amendment which allocates sixty percent of a tax on mine profits to local governments, and forty percent to the state. “Why are we not answering the needs of the local community in this amendment?” asks state Representative Louis Molepske. “Why do we need to skim off forty percent for the state coffers?” The Stevens Point Democrat says that’s not what locals want, based on a public hearing in Hurley. “People supporting the idea of a mine in the local, absolutely flat-out said no, we do not support a sixty forty split.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:15) 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, Environment & Conservation, Legislature, News

Mining bill set to advance

January 24, 2012 By

The controversial rewrite of state mining laws is on the fast track in the Assembly, with the Assembly Committee on Jobs Economy and Small Business is set to vote on the controversial bill. Representative Louis Molepske, a Stevens Point Democrat, says the legislation should have been in the Natural Resources Committee, “The committee has the expertise to deal with the issue,” he says. Molepske contends the bill has received too little public input, given the scale of the proposed open-pit iron ore mine, and says it may be setting up unrealistic expectations. “It’s one thing to say you’re going to be up and running in a year, when really that’s not the case. Even under the proposed bill (AB 426) it’s looking at a five or longer year window, with everyone signing off: state, tribes and federal government.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:60) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Legislature, News
« Previous Page
Next Page »