DNR Board OKs Scope Of CWD Regulations, Drafting New Phosphorus Rules

Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin’s deer herd has moved one step forward despite calls from owners of deer farms asking the Wisconsin Natural Resources board to stop the plan in its tracks.

The board passed the plan unanimously Wednesday, allowing the DNR to begin drafting regulations.

Walker directed the DNR in May to ban movement of deer carcasses from CWD-affected counties unless they’re headed to taxidermists or meat processors and investigate enhanced fencing for whitetail deer farms. DNR officials say that could mean requiring installing a second fence, an electric fence or an impermeable barrier.

Walker has directed the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to require all other cervid farmers to choose an enhanced fencing option and ban movement of live deer off farms in CWD-affected counties.

Deer farmers have balked at the cost of upgrading fences. About a dozen owners or representatives of deer farms asked the board Wednesday to block the plan, including central Wisconsin farm owner Dennis Pagel, who said a possible requirement for additional fencing would be too expensive and is part of government over reach.

“I’m 65 years old, and I hope that I see the day of reckoning when the working class people like myself and my friends here behind me, take back their state and country that has been lost by government,” Pagel said.

Groups that support deer hunting spoke in favor of Walker’s plan, saying it’s needed to help the deer herd.

After three hours of testimony and debate, the board approved the scope statement, which is part of the DNR rule-making process, outlining the new regulations.

Board member Greg Kazmierski told the farm owners there will be a public hearing and more discussion.

“In that rule, we’re going to consider things like we’re not going to put you out of business in 150 days.”

The board may vote on the new regulations in August.

Also Wednesday, the board gave the agency the go-ahead to draft regulations changing phosphorus limits on three south-central Wisconsin lakes.

The DNR wants to raise limits on Petenwell Lake from 40 micrograms per liter to 53 and raise limits on Castle Rock Lake from 40 micrograms per liter to 55. The agency wants to decrease limits on Lake Wisconsin from 100 micrograms per liter to 47.

DNR officials say Petenwell and Castle Rock lakes can take more phosphorus without contributing to algae blooms but Lake Wisconsin needs tougher standards to preserve recreation.

Board member Fred Prehn was skeptical about whether raising the limits on Petenwell and Castle Rock would improve things on those lakes, but in the end the board adopted the standards unanimously.

Editor’s note: This story was last updated at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2018, with original reporting by WPR staff.