DNR’s customer service counters are closed
On the brink of a new Wisconsin license year and in the midst of sales of leftover spring turkey permits, Department of Natural Resources customers will out of necessity or choice be turning more to on-line purchase options this spring.
The agency announced Tuesday it had temporarily suspended counter services at all DNR service centers.
The move was in keeping with public health recommendations designed to limit the spread of coronavirus.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this evolving situation has caused you,” the DNR said in a statement. “The safety of our customers and our staff is a top priority with the goal to help protect Wisconsinites from the spread of COVID-19, particularly those who are most vulnerable to infection and severe disease.”
The 2019-20 license year ends March 31.
A 2020-21 license is required to legally participate in a Wisconsin hunting or fishing season on April 1 or thereafter.
The agency was also just two days into its annual sale of leftover spring turkey permits.
Although some other license sales outlets, including large retailers and small bait and tackle shops, remain open for in-person purchases, customers may opt to use DNR's Go Wild online license site to lower the odds of exposure to the virus.
Purchases may be made on the website 24/7.
In addition, the DNR's customer service representatives are available to answer questions by phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. They may be reached at (888) 936-7463.
Sales of leftover turkey permits in all zones began Saturday. Hunters are limited to a purchase of one permit per day.
Wisconsin state parks and trails remain open to the public. Buildings are closed, though, with exception of some restrooms.
All public water and boat landings are open, too.
Board meeting changed to teleconference: In another change related to COVID-19, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board canceled its meeting scheduled for April 7-8.
The board will instead convene a special meeting via teleconference at 8 a.m. April 1. The public may view the proceedings via a link on dnr.wi.gov.
The agenda has been reduced to two items: a vote on proposed rules to establish the 2020 migratory bird season framework and regulations; and department recommendations for the fiscal year 2021 Laboratory Certification and Registration Program fee adjustment.
The next regular NRB meeting is scheduled for May 26-27.
PFAS meeting to be held remotely: The DNR is also modifying how it will hold a PFAS meeting this week, but leaving its date and time unchanged.
The Monday meeting of the Stakeholder Group for PFAS Rulemaking will be held via Zoom, an Internet-based meeting tool.
The meeting will still be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.
The agenda, Zoom link, and any supplemental materials will be available on the NR105 rule web page in advance of the meeting, according to the agency.
The meeting will be recorded for later viewing by those who are unable to participate in the live broadcast.
Stakeholders are welcome to provide comments and additional information related to issues discussed during this meeting as the DNR works through the rule-making process, the agency said in a statement.
Any questions may be sent to DNR105PFASRule@wisconsin.gov.
New York to cut chinook stocking: The New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced Wednesday it would stock 845,568 chinook salmon in Lake Ontario this year, a 20% cut from 2019.
The cut in chinook is the third in four years in Lake Ontrario, where fisheries managers are concerned about declines in the alewife population, a key food source for chinook.
In 2016, the Lake Ontario Committee of New York and Ontario officials cut chinook and lake trout stocking levels by 20% to help protect the fishery.
Chinook salmon stocking was reduced by an additional 20% in 2019.
This year's decision to cut chinook plants 20% more follows a general trend of declining alewife biomass in the past five years, according to a report by the Lake Ontario Prey Fish Working Group.
The alewife biomass is now likely among the lowest estimated in Lake Ontario in the past two decades, according to the report.
The New York move contrasts with one made in Wisconsin, where DNR fisheries managers responded to lobbying by business owners and charter captains and increased chinook stocking this year despite a U.S. Geological Survey report that also showed a decline in alewife in Lake Michigan.