Government Affairs

NRCS Wisconsin Offers $7 Million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program-Floodplain Easements Apply Now, Until September 30 to be Considered for Funding Due to the recent catastrophic flooding events, Congress has provided the U.S Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in Wisconsin with over $7 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program-Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE). The program’s focus is to provide landowners with another option for those frequently flooded agricultural fields.

The WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has detected emerald ash borer for the first time in Pierce County. This is the first new county detection of 2019 for Wisconsin.  There have also been finds this year in 46 new municipalities in counties where EAB had already been detected previously.

NRCS Offers more than $200 Million in Emergency Funding to Restore Flood-Prone Lands: 11 states identified to invest in floodplain easements WASHINGTON, July 24, 2019 – In response to recent flooding impacting many parts of the United States, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces the availability of $217.5 million dedicated to funding conservation easements on certain lands damaged by flooding and other natural disasters.

MADISON​ – Recent severe weather in northern and central Wisconsin has resulted in significant damage to homes and businesses throughout the region. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) asks affected property owners to seek trusted contractors for repairs and to be leery of “storm chasers” that come knocking at your door with aggressive sales tactics.

Public comment period open through August 16, 2019 WOODRUFF, Wis. – Plans for improved access to the Northern Highland – American Legion State Forest through the designation of approximately 19 miles of all-terrain and utility vehicles routes on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources roads in the state forest are now available for public comment.

The Wilson State Nursery gave a preview of what their tree stock is anticipating for spring 2020 plantings. This list is preliminary, as it is possible that some species will be added or subtracted depending on health, growth, and several other factors as the growing season begins to wane. However, most of these trees and shrubs listed will be available to purchase starting October 7, 2019. View the full list HERE.

Are you worried about HRD (formally Annosum Root Rot) in your pine plantations?  Heterobasidion root disease causes a decay of the roots and lower stem, attacks the cambium and kills infected trees. Infected trees show thin foliage, reduced height, diameter and shoot growth and eventual mortality. Three to eight years after nearby trees are cut down, mortality of individual trees becomes noticeable.

From WI DNR Bat Program Thank you to everyone who pitched in during our Great Wisconsin Bat Count in late May; now it’s time to count again! Bat pups are testing their flying skills and our second summer count is set for July 19-21. On any one of these nights, go out at sunset to a bat house or other site where bats are roosting and count how many bats fly out.

The WI DNR is accepting public comments on proposed changes to the WI Forest Landowner Grant Program until June 25, 2019. Information on the proposed changes can be found at WI DNR Proposed Program Guidance page, then under Proposed program guidance open for public comment, Forestry Grants, select the link to the draft document. WWOA’s comments have been submitted to WI DNR.

The Wisconsin DNR publication,  Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin, written for land and water conservation planners and managers, administrators, researchers, educators, students, landowners, and others interested in Wisconsin’s natural resources has been updated and released.   The Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin is a compilation of ecological, social, and economic information about Wisconsin’s 16 distinct ecological landscapes that can help identify, locate, and sustain Wisconsin’s ecological resources.