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

District Dialogue

June 5, 2015

Building Commission Update

On June 3, the Wisconsin State Building Commission held its monthly meeting to discuss administrative and UW-System building projects.  The Higher Education Subcommittee, which I chair, held discussions on three projects for the UW-System. 
 
Two campuses that presented projects before the Building Commission were the University of Wisconsin La Crosse (UW- La Crosse) and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW- Oshkosh).  The proposal for UW- La Crosse is to increase storage space by building a 12,000 square foot addition on the existing maintenance building.  The project will increase heated and non-heated storage and increase space for a mail and delivery room on campus.  The university has been struggling with a lack of storage space due to an increase in staff and faculty. 

Members of the Building Commission at the June Meeting.
 

The UW- Oshkosh proposal will renovate the oldest portions of the Reeve Union, which was constructed in 1957.  In addition, the entrance and restrooms in the union do not comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines and are in need of renovation.  The project is set to relocate restrooms, create a new ADA compliant entrance on Algoma Boulevard, and build a new welcome desk in the student union.
 
Lastly, the building commission supported a number of maintenance projects for UW campuses.  Discussion centered on the renovations to the Memorial Library for a graduate student learning space and a roof replacement at the Computer Science and Statistics Building at UW- Madison.  Other system-wide projects include a new HVAC and exhaust system at UW-Superior, a replacement of an air handling unit at UW- Whitewater, and repairs to the athletic center and pool at UW- Parkside.

At the start of the budget process my office was contacted by a number of conservation groups and constituents  asking for assistance in restoring funding for certain Department of Natural Resources (DNR) capacity and conservation grants.

I submitted four budget motions to help assist in restoring funds for the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center in Florence, the Natural Resources Foundation, the County Forest Administrator Grant, and the Master Logger Certification Grant.  The funding for each of these motions was restored on Friday, May 29.  I would like to thank all the members of the Joint Finance Committee for considering my motions during the budget deliberations.  

Below is a synopsis of the budget motions that were submitted by my office.   

Florence Wild Rivers Interpretive Center:

The Natural Resource and Wild Rivers Interpretive Center was built in 1992.  It is a very unique combination of all the natural resource related agencies sharing space, resources and collaborating on projects.  Under one roof the WI-DNR, United States Forest Service (USFS), County Forestry & Parks, visitor center for travelers and DNR licenses, Wild Rivers Interpretive displays, UW-Extension, DMV and a public conference room that many groups, agencies and legislators use. 

The Governor’s proposed budget cuts $22,000 of funding for this facility that is used to pay for some of the staff time for the main public service desk that serves many purposes.  It functions as a visitor desk with recreational info for visitors, it sells all the DNR licenses and registrations, it takes questions from the public and guides them to the proper office/department within the building and it oversees the Wild Rivers Interpretive center displays and information.

Our office was contacted by a number of elected officials and concerned citizens in Florence County in regards to the loss in funding.
 

Natural Resources Foundation:

The Natural Resources Foundation (NRF), a group with over 4,000 members, supports management of public lands throughout Wisconsin. The Foundation is in its 26th year in coordinating field trips in Wisconsin counties for the public to enjoy Wisconsin’s wilderness. The group makes grants to hundreds of grassroots conservation projects in every county and provides conservation education.

NRF brings private sector investments to managing state-owned lands. NRF also provides a vehicle for donors to establish permanent endowments for State Parks, State Natural Areas and even for specific wildlife species. NRF averages a $4 return to the state for every capacity grant dollar.
 

County Forest Administrator Grants:

The Wisconsin County Forest Association represents the interests of 29 counties with land enrolled under Wisconsin County Forest Law. Combined, the member counties manage nearly 2.4 million acres of forest lands.

The Wisconsin County Forest Administration Grant is funded from the Forestry Mill tax. Over the decades, the grant has provided funding to counties that employ a professional forester who serves as the county forest administrator. The grant helps pay a percentage of the administrator’s salary/benefits.
 

Master Logger Certification Grant:
 

Forestry is the number one employer in seven counties (Forest, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk, Taylor, and Trempealeau). Wisconsin’s forest products industry is valued at nearly $22.9 billion each year and supports almost 60,000 jobs. Wisconsin is the number one paper producing state in the U.S.

The Governor’s budget removed all funding for the Great Lakes Timber Professional- Master Loggers Capacity (MLC) grant ($148,500). The DNR grant has been essential in keeping the program operational and accountable. Without the DNR grant, it is unlikely the Master Logger Program could continue.

A Master Logger Certification (MLC) recognizes loggers who have the highest level of training and experience and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable forestry. An MLC is the highest professional recognition for the logging sector of the state.

To be recognized as a “Master Logger”, an applicant has to go through a rigorous 6-step certification process. As part of the process, an applicant must submit five sales, of which three will be selected for field inspection. The verifier will check the consistency of harvest practices to ensure the company meets the Mater Loggers performance standards. Certifying Board Decisions must be unanimous in order for an applicant to be granted Certified Master Logger status and recertification audits occur on an annual basis.

The program provides landowners and foresters assurances that they have a pool of certified logging professionals to harvest timber. 30% of the wood harvested in Wisconsin comes from Master Loggers. The program gives landowners an assurance of “third-party” certified logging professionals working on their properties.

In an April 2014 Master Logger Industry Survey, 100% of respondents indicated that the Master Logger Certification Program has had an impact on forest management in Wisconsin.

DNR Free Fun for Everyone Weekend

MADISON - The first weekend in June offers ample opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors in Wisconsin as the state celebrates "free fun weekend." Admission stickers are waived for Wisconsin's state parks and forests, trail passes are waived for state bicycle and all-terrain vehicle trails and no fishing licenses are needed to fish state waters. People who camp at state parks still need to pay for their campsites.

June 6 is also National Trails Day and Wisconsin is celebrating 50 years of rail trails, with a celebration of 50th anniversary of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, the first trail established on an abandoned railroad corridors in the nation. The celebration takes place at 2 p.m. at the historic Kendall depot, with a number of bicycle rides and tunnel tours preceding the event.

Many other trails are also celebrating with organized hikes, rides or events. People can enjoy free access to state-owned and operated trails that normally require a trail pass for those 16 or older who want to bike, in-line skate or horseback ride. Find trails by searching the Department of Natural Resources website, dnr.wi.gov, for "Find a Park" and find events by searching for "Get Outdoors," and then select the calendar search function for June 6-7.

Many properties and their friends groups are offering special programming during Free Fun Weekend. Some properties are taking advantage of free fishing weekend by offering fishing clinics, including Governor Dodge, Harrington Beach, Hartman Creek and Merrick state parks and Richard Bong State Recreation Area, and a learn to fly fish program is being offered at the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

A few state fish hatcheries also open their doors with special open house festivities on June 6. The Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery in Bayfield will host an open house and kids fishing event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while the Brule State Fish Hatchery will host a family fun day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

But people can fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species.
If you don't own fishing gear but would like to give it a try, equipment is available through tackle loaner programs at many state parks and DNR offices. Contact a tackle loaner site to find out what's available at a location convenient to you. Additional free fishing activities taking place around the state can also be found by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords "free fishing weekend."

Wisconsin law requires those who use Wisconsin ATV or UTV trails to display either Wisconsin registration or a nonresident trail pass, but on Free Fun Weekend, ATV/UTV owners do not need to have their machines registered in Wisconsin and nonresidents do not need to have a trail pass.

Click the image above for a message from the DNR.

On Thursday June 4, the Public Service Commission (PSC) held its quarterly meeting with the Broadband Advisory Council.  I am one of three legislators who sit on the council to discuss broadband expansion and availability.  The council is made up of members from the PSC, telecommunication providers, UW-Extension, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Northwoods Broadband and Economic Development Coalition, the Department of Administration (DOA), the University of Wisconsin, and rural legislators.  The three legislators on the council include myself, Representative Bob Kulp (R - Stratford) and Senator Jen Shilling (D - La Crosse).

At the beginning of the meeting our group discussed the successes that Wisconsin has made in recent years to provide internet services to the most rural areas.  We have been fortunate that several of the Broadband Expansion grants have been awarded to areas in the 34th Assembly District.  Just within the last two years, our region has received over $180,000 in broadband expansion project grants.  Additionally, DPI cited the successes of the Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools recommendations moving forward in the budget process and the increased technology available for students in our public schools.  Lastly, the council discussed the successes of the TEACH program in 2014.  Four million dollars were allocated to install fiber connections in the 350 of the 380 plus public libraries around the state. 

During the second half of the meeting, Link Wisconsin shared a number of interactive maps with the council to show the availability of broadband throughout the state.  The LinkWisconsin maps show residents in rural areas the broadband options that exist throughout Wisconsin.  Please click the link below to use the interactive maps. 

Interactive Wisconsin Broadband Map

Interactive National Broadband Map

Wisconsin Telecommuter Speed Map

I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Broadband Advisory Council and in the legislature to expand broadband throughout rural Wisconsin. 

Members of the Broadband Advisory Council

Outdoor Report

Wisconsin Turkey Management Plan now available

MADISON - The Wisconsin Wild Turkey Management Plan, a product of coordination between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, key stakeholder groups and the public, is now final and available on the department's website.

People can view an electronic copy of the plan by searching the DNR website, for keywords "turkey management." Hard copies will be made available upon request and free of charge later this summer at DNR offices statewide.

"The restoration of turkeys to Wisconsin's landscape is one of our greatest wildlife success stories, and the responsible management of the species is a goal shared by biologists, hunters and the general public," said DNR upland wildlife ecologist Scott Walter. "This Plan will serve as a wonderful resource for all aspects of the turkey management program, and we are very proud of the final product."

The Wild Turkey Management Plan will guide decisions regarding the allocation of turkey permits, the structure of our spring and fall hunting seasons, the use of Wild Turkey Stamp funds, and many other aspects of turkey management in the state through 2025. The current plan reflects recent scientific research and changes in turkey distribution and hunting tradition. The management plan was guided in part by input received at 12 meetings held statewide in April and May 2012, as well as an online survey available during the same time period.

The department would like to thank those who provided public comments, as well as the organizations with representatives serving on the DNR Turkey Advisory Committee, including:

· Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission;
· National Wild Turkey Federation;
· Wisconsin Bowhunters Association;
· Wisconsin Conservation Congress;
· Wisconsin Wildlife Federation;
· United States Army - Fort McCoy;
· United States Forest Service; and
· The Nature Conservancy.

"The Plan is a great read for anybody interested in how we manage turkeys in Wisconsin," said DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist Krista McGinley. "The contributions we received from stakeholders and the public were invaluable as we developed this revised management plan."

For more information regarding wild turkey management in Wisconsin, search the DNR website, for keywords "turkey management."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Walter, DNR upland wildlife ecologist, 608-267-7861; Krista McGinley, DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458

Bird records take flight; call for more volunteers goes out

ASHLAND -- While volunteers helping survey Wisconsin birds have already lit up the record books before prime nesting season even begins, survey organizers are calling for more avid and interested birders to join the cause to provide the most comprehensive account yet of the birds that call Wisconsin home.

"Already, volunteers are setting new records for the atlas survey and changing what we know of the breeding bird landscape in Wisconsin," says Nick Anich, Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "We've had some great findings so far. But there is still so much more to learn and we need more volunteers to help better our understanding of Wisconsin birds."

The survey, last done 20 years ago, helps assess whether populations of bird species that nest and raise their young in Wisconsin are increasing, decreasing, or staying the same.

The results will shape bird conservation efforts over the coming generation. Read more in "A Historic Bird Survey," in the February 2015 Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

Volunteers have set new records for birds not documented in the previous atlas survey, including:

· Pam Campbell of Menomonie spotted a pair of Eurasian collared-doves building a nest in a tree in Dunn County, a species not found nesting here during the first atlas survey conducted in the late 1990s.

· Another species confirmed for the first time in this atlas survey is the whooping crane, one of the two most endangered crane species in the world. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership has been working for the past decade to release cranes in the wild in Wisconsin in hopes of building a self-sustaining population in the eastern U.S. The cranes were sighted on their nest at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge; other pairs are nesting in Adams, Wood, and Marathon counties.

· Thomas Wood of Menomonee Falls confirmed black-necked stilts as breeding in Wisconsin, a welcome observation since this species was recorded breeding in Wisconsin for the first time during the previous atlas. Wood observed this striking species nesting in Dodge County.

· Dale Bonk of Mount Horeb confirmed that a long-eared owl was breeding in Dane County; this rare owl was not found at all in the county in the previous atlas survey and was only confirmed then in five counties statewide.

Volunteer opportunities beckon birders; new web feature showcases nesting songbirds

Kim Kreitinger, president of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, one of the organizations behind the survey, says now is a great time to join the effort because the migration is winding down. Aside from shorebirds, most of the birds you see here in June and July are birds that nest in Wisconsin, so volunteers don't have to sort out which are migratory birds headed to or from Canadian nesting grounds.

"It's safe to assume that the vast amounts of songbirds you encounter are on their breeding territories. Understanding the places they frequent, the habitats they use and the times of year in which they raise young are critical to conserving them," Kreitinger says.

A new Breeding Birds and Summer Mothers feature on the DNR website showcases pictures of many of the breeding birds people will see this summer and also some that organizers are particularly keen on learning how they're faring since the first Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas was done in the 1990s. The web feature also contains links to wsobirds.org/atlas, where people can learn about volunteer opportunities and find a link to the data entry portal.

Volunteers look for and document breeding behaviors of birds, everything ranging from a male singing a courtship song to a pair building a nest to a mother feeding her young. The survey seeks to confirm the presence and abundance of different species in every corner of the state.

Bill Mueller, director of the Western Great Lakes Bird & Bat Observatory, one of the other sponsoring organizations, says that people can volunteer for the survey according to their desire, expertise and time. Birders who know a lot of species are encouraged to sign up to survey a 3 mile by 3 mile block of land. Birders can intensively survey their block over one breeding season or spread it out over the five years.

Birders with interest but less bird identification experience or less time are encouraged to turn in individual sightings of nesting birds they see while they are outdoors hiking, biking, camping, or even while sitting in their backyard.

"The second Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas is critically important to help us understand how Wisconsin bird populations are changing," he says. "And, it is fun, and a great way to learn more about the natural world."

More than 1,600 people participated in that 1990s survey, and Mueller and other organizers hope more will get involved this time around. Volunteers can enter their data online using a customized atlas portal to eBird, a web-based reporting system many birders already use to keep track of their bird sightings and scientists use to harness the power of millions of birdwatchers worldwide. Such technology, along with advances in digital and smartphone cameras, also have made it easier and quicker to verify unusual observations.

In addition to WSO, DNR and the Great Lakes Western Bird and Bat Observatory, the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II is co-organized by the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative.

Real-time results available now for bird surveys statewide and in your area

The survey's use of a specialized online data entry system allows volunteers, organizers and the general public to see real-time the results of the bird survey to date. Here are a few statistics as of June 1, 2015.

· Nearly 40 percent of 1,246 priority survey blocks have already had some data recorded.
· 335 species have been reported, of which 146 have been confirmed as breeding.
· As of June 1, Aaron Holschbach of Arena was leading in species confirmed nesting in Wisconsin with 52 followed by John Kivikoski with 50 and Brad Zinda with 47.
· New confirmations and other interesting facts are frequently posted to the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas Facebook page. www.facebook.com/WIBreedingBirdAtlas (exit DNR). Like this page to get them as part of your daily feed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Anich, 715-685-2930; Ryan Brady, 715-685-2933

Congratulations Class of 2015

I would like to wish all high school, tech-college, and university graduates for completing their studies this year.  Good luck in entering the workforce or continuing your education.  Onward Class of 2015! 

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

International Migratory Bird Day: June 5-6, Three Lakes

Trig's Flea Market: June 5, Rhinelander

Summer Kick off Carnival: June 5, Rhinelander

Minocqua Farmers Market: June 5, Minocqua

Presque Isle River Birding by Canoe: June 5, Manitowish Waters

Free Fishing Weekend: June 6, State of Wisconsin

SunShine Youth Camp: June 6, Eagle River

Grid Iron Golf Classic: June 6, Three Lakes

FREE Chevy Youth Baseball Clinic: June 6, Rhinelander

Chamber of Commerce sponsored Town-Wide Rummage Sales: June 6, Florence

St. Germain Flea Market: June 8 & 15, St. Germain

Chain Skimmers Ski shows: June 9, 11, 16 & 18, Land O' Lakes

Hazelhurst Lions Club Golf Outing: June 11, Arbor Vitae

Flea, Craft & Farmer’s Market: June 11, Manitowish Waters

Walleyes for Tomorrow Banquet: June 11, Minocqua

35th Annual "Spring Classic of Champions: June 12-14, Eagle River

YMCA Family Night: June 12, Rhinelander

A Paddle on the Pine River for the 50th: June 12, Florence

Friday Flea Market: June 12 & 19, Presque Isle

Callie Rohr Memorial Canoe and Kayak Race: June 13-14, Conover

Summer Markets: June 13, Land O' Lakes

5K & 20K Trial Run: June 13, Land O' Lakes

Celebrate 50 Years of WI Wild Rivers: June 13, Florence

Hank Lesniak's Valley of the Giants Fishing Tournament: June 13, Phelps

Phelps Rummage O Rama: June 13, Phelps

FISHING TOURNAMENT: June 13, Manitowish Waters

Eagle River’s Great Northern Beer Festival: June 13, Eagle River

Devil's Elbow 5K & 10K Trail Run: June 13, Arbor Vitae

4th Annual NORTHWOODS HERITAGE FEST: June 14, Three Lakes

Chequamegon Adventure Company Presents Tuesday Paddle Nite: June 16, Minocqua

Funky Junk N' More "Welcome Summer" Sale: June 18-20, Three Lakes

2015 Rhinelander Boom Lake Log Jam: June 19-21, Rhinelander

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