Legislators Make Changes in Response to Public Input
Madison –State Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) joined State Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) in making changes to a bill streamlining DNR permitting programs affecting Wisconsin waterways and piers. The chairmen plan to hold a vote on the
amendment next week.
“People looked at the original bill, made their comment and we now have tailored it accordingly,” Mursau said. “After 10 hours of testimony and a month of follow up conversations, people will look at this bill and see their concerns were taken seriously and addressed.”
The special session on jobs began in September and was closed Thursday. Following closure, Mursau and Kedzie re-introduced the special session bill as a regular session bill (
AB 421).
“Even though the Special Session on Jobs ended, our unfinished work remains our top priority,” Mursau said.
Major changes include:
Ø Deleting changes related to the placing fill on bulkhead lines
Ø Deleting changes related to dredging of lakebed material
Ø Deleting new DNR timelines for high-capacity wells, prospecting, and oil & gas exploration and presumptive approval for failure to meet those timelines
Ø Public Notifications
o Under the original bill, public notices of permit applications and DNR determinations could be done through the newspaper as a Class 1 notice or posted on the DNR website. The substitute amendment requires both be done rather than just one. The amendment allows notices to be provided to interested persons through an electronic notification system, if the Department utilizes such a system.
Ø Incomplete Permit Application
o Under the original bill, DNR may not deny a permit based on an incomplete application. The substitute amendment deletes that and instead requires DNR provide specific reasons for denials. If a denial is based on an incomplete application, DNR shall specify to applicants the areas on the application which were incomplete.