Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County.

District Dialogue

August 17, 2015

Building Commission Meeting at Wisconsin State Fair

On August 12, the Wisconsin State Building Commission held its monthly meeting at the Wisconsin State Fair to discuss administrative and UW-System building projects.  The Higher Education Subcommittee, which I chair, held discussions on four projects for the UW-System. I feel it’s important to carefully look at every state project to determine its need and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
 

Three campuses that presented projects before the Building Commission were the University of Wisconsin La Crosse (UW- La Crosse), UW-Extension Dane County, and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW- Oshkosh).  The proposal for UW- La Crosse is to construct a new 4-story science building to increase the amount of research and instructional laboratories. The current science building (Cowley Hall) that was built in 1963 is obsolete and has reached it expected useful service life. The new building will include 36 instructional and 23 research labs.

The UW- Oshkosh proposal will renovate Fletcher Hall to bring the residence hall into compliance with ADA (American Disabilities Act) and building codes. Renovations will include improvements to the building’s mechanical and electrical systems, bath/shower facilities, and the fire alarm system. Additionally, the project will include an addition to Fletcher Hall that will accommodate a new building entrance and elevator. The renovation will increase the number of residence hall beds from 482 to 498.

Rep. Swearingen at the Building Commission meeting. 

The third project presented to the commission is to approve the design report and to renovate the Lowell Hall HVAC System at UW-Extension, Dane County. Lowell Hall was built in 1960 and serves as a conference center for UW-Extension. The HVAC system is beyond its serviceable life and constantly in need of expensive maintenance and repairs. This project includes installation of new HVAC units, along with replacing two boilers and one hot water heater. Additionally the elevators will be renovated to ADA compliance
 
Lastly, the building commission supported a number of maintenance projects for various UW campuses.  Discussions centered on accessibility and access improvements to the UW-LaCrosse Center for the Arts and fire and elevator alarm renovations at numerous building on UW-Platteville campus. Also, two projects at UW-Madison are to repair the exterior brick façade at the University Houses Apartment Complex along with a tile roof replacement for the Agricultural, Nutritional Science, and Water Science and Engineering Halls.

Good Neighbor Authority to Benefit Northwoods Economy and Logging Industry

MADISON -- Wisconsin will be the first state east of the Mississippi to participate in forestry management under an expanded federal-state partnership effort that aims to increase and streamline work on federal lands. The Department of Natural Resources will be working side by side with the U.S. Forest Service to ensure the program delivers environmental as well as economic benefits here in Wisconsin.

Called the Good Neighbor Authority, the program was expanded nationally in the 2014 Farm Bill and allows the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to enter into cooperative agreements with states to perform forest, rangeland and watershed restoration projects on federal and non-federal lands. In Wisconsin, DNR and USFS leadership anticipate the partnership will facilitate forest and watershed work on the 1.5 million acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. As part of the national forest's approved forest management plan, the results will create economic opportunities through increased timber sales which supports one of Wisconsin's largest economic sectors.

"Wisconsin is a leader in forest management and watershed restoration and the Good Neighbor Authority allows us to work hand in hand with the U.S. Forest Service to increase the public benefits from the federal forest," said Governor Scott Walker. "Our very first project will help support jobs in northern Wisconsin by increasing the amount of timber offered for sale. It will provide more of this renewable resource for producing valuable paper and wood products, while improving desired wildlife habitat."

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp credited careful management of Wisconsin's forest for sustaining a vibrant wood and paper products industry.

"Wisconsin's paper industry has retained the No. 1 spot in the nation for more than 60 years," Stepp said. "In addition to the nearly 60,000 jobs and $4 billion in annual wages from the forest products sector, more than 6 million acres of Wisconsin's forest lands are open to the public for uses including hunting, hiking, bird-watching and other recreational activities. I am pleased that through the Good Neighbor Authority we can work closely with our USFS partners to build on the great work that they do, as together we grow the economy and provide an even better recreational experience for the public."

Under the agreement, the amount of timber offered for harvest under approved forest management plans is anticipated to increase by approximately 25 percent to more than 100 million board feet in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in 2016. That is still below the level authorized in the approved plan for the forest.

DNR's work will focus on preparing, awarding and administering timber sales that have already had all the inventory and planning work completed, said Paul DeLong, chief state forester with DNR.

"We are pleased that we can partner with the USFS to support implementation of the approved plan and increase the public benefits that the forest provides," DeLong said. "Most people don't realize that Wisconsin forests grow one and a half times more wood than is harvested each year. Managing forests to create desired habitat while removing forest products to meet the needs of a growing population and to sustain local communities is an environmental, economic and social win-win-win,"

"The Good Neighbor Authority is a terrific way for the Forest Service to partner with state agencies to make improvements to the land," said U.S. Forest Service Eastern Regional Forester Kathleen Atkinson. "I'm excited to have a new tool that allows us to work together in unprecedented ways as we move forward with state and community partnerships into the future."

"Our first Good Neighbor Authority agreement with the state reflects several months of meaningful collaboration and establishes the groundwork for an even deeper partnership between our agencies going forward," said Paul Strong, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest supervisor. "We are fortunate to have the capacity and forest management expertise of the Wisconsin DNR and its employees to help increase the work we can accomplish on the forest, which will more closely fulfill the goals and objectives of our Land and Resource Management Plan."

A portion of the receipts from Good Neighbor Authority timber sales will reimburse the state for its costs to do this work, with remaining funds available to be used by the state of Wisconsin to conduct additional restoration activities that will be identified through a collaborative process. To learn more about the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and its Forest Plan and activities, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/main/cnnf/home (exit DNR) and navigate to "Land & Resource Management. More information about Wisconsin's forest management can be found by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword "forestry."

Contact(s): Paul DeLong, DNR chief state forester, 608-264-9224, Paul.Delong@wisconsin.gov; Jennifer Sereno, DNR communications, 608-770-8084, Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov; Paul Strong, Chequamegon-Nicolet NF Forest Supervisor, 715-362-1323; Hilary Markin, CNNF Public Affairs, 715-362-1354.

Governor Scott Walker signs Senate Bill 209 into law

On August 12, Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 209 in law, a bill which financed a Milwaukee Bucks Arena.  Afterwards Republican and Democrat members of the legislature posed for a photo opportunity with Peter Feigin, Milwaukee Bucks Team President (third from the right).  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2015
Contact: Laurel Patrick, (608) 267-7303

 
Governor Scott Walker Seeks Local Applications for Increased Broadband Grants

 
Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced the state Public Service Commission is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2016 Broadband Expansion Grants.  Walker’s 2013-15 state budget tripled the local grants to extend broadband to underserved areas of the state more quickly.
 
“Improving access to the digital marketplace for Wisconsin businesses is critical to the economic growth of our state,” said Governor Scott Walker.  “Reliable and efficient broadband ensures job creators can position themselves to capitalize on new technologies and access information they need to prosper in today’s global economy.” 
 
Governor Walker established the program, which provides reimbursement for equipment and construction expenses incurred to extend or improve broadband telecommunications service throughout the state, in the 2011-13 biennial state budget.  The recently-passed 2015-2017 state budget triples the total amount of grants to be awarded each year from $500,000 to $1,500,000.
 
The budget also included changes to increase the impact of the grants—by including consideration of projects that are “scalable,” and giving the PSC more flexibility in its execution of the grants throughout a given biennium. 
 
“Going forward, priority will be given to projects that can be expanded in a cost-effective way to match higher capacity demands in the future,” explained PSC Chairperson Ellen Nowak.  “Applicants are encouraged to discuss the long term prospects of the investment and how best to reach as many homes and businesses as possible.” 
 
Applications for the Broadband Expansion Grants for Fiscal Year 2016 are due September 30th, 2015.
 
Application instructions and additional information may be found at: http://psc.wi.gov/utilityInfo/tele/broadband/grants/bbGrantApplicationPage.htm

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(Green Bay, WI) The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation has awarded $50,000 to area first responders as part of the Foundation's Safety: It's Worth The Energy grant opportunity. This is the second year the grant has been offered and more than 75 area first response agencies applied for funding. Those selected to receive up to a $2,000 grant may use it to purchase equipment, provide professional development, and should be part of a well-planned integrated public safety initiative. 2015 recipient organizations are:

· Green Bay area: Denmark Fire Department, Ephraim Fire Department, Friends of the New Franken Fire Dept. LLC, Gibraltar Fire Rescue, Hobart Fire Department, Montpelier First Responders and Sturgeon Bay Fire Department

· Central WI area: Marathon County Sheriff's Department, Merrill Fire Department, Mosinee Fire District, Ringle Fire Department, South Area Fire & Emergency Response District, and Town of Antigo Volunteer Fire Department

· Lakeshore area: Maribel Fire Department, New Holstein Police Department, Oshkosh Fire Department and Valders Fire Department

· Northern area: Marinette Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc., Little Rice Fire Department, Menominee Police Department, Newbold Fire Department, Oconto Fire-Rescue Department, Plum Lake Ambulance Service, Sugar Camp Fire Department, Town of Brazeau Fire Department, Town of Doty Fire Department, Town of Lac du Flambeau Fire and Ambulance Department, and Woodruff Fire Department

"Anytime we can help those who put their lives on the line in the most dangerous of emergency conditions, we should," said Karmen Lemke, Director-Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. "We are so fortunate to have such dedicated first responders in the communities we serve and are glad to help any way we can."

http://www.integrysgroup.com/news/view_article.aspx?reckey=02714
 

Summer Picnics in the Northwoods Continue

Town of Pelican Community Picnic.

Town of Pelican Chairman Gerry Roou and Rep. Swearingen.

Town of Monico Fireman's Picnic

Rep. Swearingen is pictured with the members of the Monico Volunteer Fire Department.

Upcoming Community Events

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

Friday Flea Market: August 21 & 28, Presque Isle

Aqualand Ale House Summer Fun Events!: August 20 & 27, Boulder Junction

Chain Skimmers Ski Shows: August 18, 20, 22, 25 & 27, Land O' Lakes

Phelps Farmer's Market: August 22, Phelps

Rhinelander Farmers Market: August 22, Rhinelander

Hodag Water Show: August 19 & 23, Rhinelander

Music in the Park: August 23, Manitowish Waters

Min-Aqua-Bats Ski Show: August 19, Minocqua

St. Germain Flea Market: August 17 & 24, St. Germain

28th Annual Northern National Art Competition: August 17, Rhinelander

Woodcarvers Workshop: August 18-21, Boulder Junction

Chequamegon Adventure Company Presents Tuesday Paddle Nite: August 18 & 25, Minocqua

Lions Club Weekly Summer Flea Market: August 18 & 25, Boulder Junction

Florence Market Days: August 18 & 25, Florence

Summer Concert Series: August 19, St. Germain

35th Annual Paul Bunyan Fest: August 19, Eagle River

Trig's Flea Market: August 20, 21, 27 & 28, Rhinelander

Flea, Craft & Farmer’s Market: August 20 & 27, Manitowish Waters

Summer Markets: August 20 & 27, Land O' Lakes

30th Annual National Championship Musky Open: August 21-23, Eagle River

Minocqua Farmers Market: August 21, Minocqua

Reggie's Roadside 4th Annual Rib Cook Off: August 22, Rhinelander

WILD Hodag Mini-Triathlon: August 22, Rhinelander

Dan & Connie's Fishing Classic: August 22, Phelps

1st Annual Twin Triathlon: August 22, Phelps

Live Music - Phelps Rocks 365: August 22, Phelps

Free Fishing Seminar – Fall Walleye Fishing: August 23, Boulder Junction

Fall Rummage Sale & Bake Sale: August 26 & 27, Woodruff

15th Annual Lions Golf Tournament – Trout Lake Golf Course: August 27, Woodruff

Florence County Fair: August 28-30, Florence

Eagle River Derby Track: August 28-30, Eagle River

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 123 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034