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Climate change task force seeks public input

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Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes ​

A state task force on climate change is seeking public input. The Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change will host virtual listening sessions this summer. The goal is to come up with policy recommendations ahead of the next state budget.

The sessions will include presentations on the climate crisis, and a chance for the public to share comments and recommendations. Written commentary may be submitted via the task force’s website.

Find a list of the listening sessions and more information at ClimateChange.wi.gov. The task force was formed in October 2019, with Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes ​as chair.

DNR state park campgrounds open on Wednesday

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Wisconsin state park campgrounds reopen Wednesday. But Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole advises it’s going to be a little different than pre-pandemic.

“Changes around public safety are going to be in place, only because we’re worried about folks. We’re worried about social distancing, and we have to pay attention,” Cole said. “There will be park staff at each and every site, to remind folks about social distancing.”

Campgrounds were closed in March as a COVID-19 precaution.

Restrooms will be open, however concessions will not, so you’ll need to bring your own bug spray and firewood. Also, campground hosts, who are typically older adults at greater risk for COVID-19, won’t be there to greet campers.

Reserve a site and get more information on the DNR website.

State Parks to open for camping on Wednesday, with some restrictions

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The D N R is set to reopen the state’s campgrounds on Wednesday.

DNR section chief Missy VanLanduyt says that while restrooms will be open, bubblers are turned off and no staff are on site, so trash cans have been removed.

“So just remember to bring your own water and to pack in and pack out and that there may be capacity restrictions but if you go to our web page and search Park capacity you’ll be able to plan your trip ahead of time before you get there just in case the capacity restriction is put into place.”

VanLanduyt says that you’ll still need to buy a park pass online, and do online registration and reservations. 

“And we still will have a number of the tools in place to limit overcrowding and to promote social distancing but we still wanted to keep this as an opportunity and as a tradition to really get people out and explore outdoor recreation on our state properties.”

One more thing to remember is that there will be no onsite firewood sales at parks. “So people should plan ahead and purchase firewood outside of the property prior to entering and it actually is a requirement that fire would be purchased only within 10 miles of their camping location.”

That’s part of the state’s effort to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and other infectious diseases.

You can register for a campsite and get your parks passes online at http://dnr.wi.gov. 

 

Wisconsin State Parks extending hours

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Effective tomorrow, Saturday May 23, nearly all Wisconsin state parks will return to regular operating hours. That is, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, and parks will no longer be closed Wednesdays.

The sole exception, Rock Island State Park will remain closed until July.

A limited number of day-use area restrooms will reopen for public use beginning Wednesday, June 3, according to the Wisconsin DNR. Park visitors are advised to bring hand sanitizer.

All group, family and indoor group campsites will remain closed, and all events and shelter reservations will be canceled, through June 7. The status of events, reservations and camping after June 7 is under review.

DNR cautions of continued high wildfire conditions

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Despite scattered rain showers this weekend, elevated fire conditions continue today through Wednesday. That’s especially true in northern Wisconsin, where the fire danger is high to very high due to low relative humidity and slower progression of green-up. Fires under these circumstances can start easily and spread quickly.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources responded to 16 wildfires over the weekend and now anticipate a slightly longer than average fire season.

Some Wisconsin state Parks and Forests will re-open on Friday

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Thirty-four Wisconsin state Parks and Forests will re-open on Friday. Governor Tony Evers has directed the DNR to re-open popular parks including Devil’s Lake, Interstate and Copper Falls.

The openings come with special conditions including attendance capacities and reduced daily hours. General campsites. restrooms, shelters and playgrounds will remain closed. And, free park admission will end on Friday as well.

Parks had been closed earlier this month due to a lack of social distancing and reports of vandalism. Prior to that, admission was free and the number of people inside parks was not being limited.

Evers asks DNR to close 40 state parks and recreation areas

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Governor Tony Evers on Thursday directed the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to close 40 state parks, forests, and recreation areas. This, in an effort “to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites,” as many parks have experienced heavy attendance the first two weeks of April, and consequent lack of social distancing.

Affected parks, forests, and recreational areas will close at the end of the day Thursday, and will remain closed until further notice.

Public health officials determined the situation has reached a point where public safety in the parks and surrounding communities takes precedence over keeping these locations open. If the public does not follow social distancing guidelines or vandalizes property, more state parks may have to close.

 

‘Focus on Energy’ now provides content in Spanish

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Wisconsin’s statewide Focus On Energy has launched new Spanish-language web pages. This new content provides details of many of Focus on Energy’s most-popular offerings for Wisconsin residents. It includes information on the benefits of air sealing and insulation and energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning.

The site also includes links to help find Spanish-speaking contractors and offers pages that explain how to order free energy-savings home products, access Focus on Energy’s free appliance recycling service, and links to the Program’s retail discounts page and online marketplace.

Also in 2020, Focus on Energy will be offering Spanish-language applications for financial incentives related to energy efficiency projects.
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Senate confirms Preston Cole to head DNR

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Preston Cole IMAGE: Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin State Senate has unanimously approved the appointment of Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole, but Wednesday’s vote didn’t pass without incident.

Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Minocqua) who has long pushed for expansion of logging and mining in the state, issued a warning to Cole, and the agency he’ll lead.

“Mr. Cole has some work cut out for him. There are many fine people who work within the Department of Natural Resources, but there are those who take liberties with the law at times,” Tiffany said. “I hope Secretary Cole is up to the task of making sure that they are accountable to him and to the taxpayers of the state of Wisconsin.”

The vote to confirm Cole was unanimous, meaning he’ll finally officially take over as head of the DNR. Governor Tony Evers selected Cole to lead the agency in December of 2018.

The Senate also confirmed Emilie Amundson to lead the Department of Children and Families, on a vote of 32-1. Five acting  Evers cabinet secretaries are still awaiting confirmation, including Craig Thompson at Transportation and Andrea Palm at the Department of Health Services.

Assembly approves $10 million water quality package

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The state Assembly has approved a 13 bill, $10 million plan to address water quality in Wisconsin. Lawmakers sparred Tuesday over who deserves credit.

“If Governor Tony Evers had not declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water, we wouldn’t be here today, making sure that we’re acting on not just clean drinking water but surface water qand water quality in general,” said Representative Katrina Shankland. (D-Stevens Point).

“This was not started bu Governor Evers, even though I want to thank him for also calling this the Year of Clean Water,” said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester). Vos credited Representatives Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) and Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) for getting the issue attention from Assembly Republicans.

Vos formed the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality has been created to gather information and make policy recommendations.

“We need to remember that this is just the beginning,” said Novak, who served with Shankland as task force co-chair. “Challenges with water quality did not start overnight. They started decades ago, so this is going to take some time and this is just the beginning. We also need to remember that clean water is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it’s a state of Wisconsin issue.”

“This isn’t partisan issue. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, if you live in Milwaukee or in southwest Wisconsin. We all deserve clean drinking water and this is certainly a step in the right direction,” Tranel said. The package must still be passed by the state Senate, before going to Governor Tony Evers.