Natural Resources Board

PFAS Cleanup of State Drinking Water Would Cost $208 Million

New report by conservation group estimates cost, urges legislative action.

Lake Trout Season For Lake Superior Opens Dec. 1

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Dec. 13

Lawsuit Challenges DNR’s State Wolf Plan

Charges that private meetings with pro-wolf group influenced plan ignoring science and public comments.

Environmental Groups Want Evers To Block Lakefront Golf Course Land Swap

Kohler, seeking to build golf course near Lake Michigan, needs land swap with state park.

Political Obstruction is Climate Destruction

Lawmakers in Washington and Madison are playing games while our climate crisis grows.

Court Injunction Prevents Ouster of Election Administrator, At Least For Now

Dane County grants temporary protection for Meagan Wolfe's job while case plays out.

Natural Resources Board Approves 2023 Wolf Management Plan And Rule

Administrative Rule Goes To Governor Evers

Republican Bullying Isn’t Working

Tactic is backfiring as Democrats and public officials resist.

DNR Secretary Payne Resigns After Just 10 Months

Cites personal reasons as agency faces debates over wolf management, PFAS pollution.

Republicans Reject 7 Evers Appointees

Including elections commissioner and 4 DNR board members. 'This is insanity,' says Evers, then immediately names replacements.

Gov. Evers Slams Senate Republicans for Continued Efforts to Obstruct the Peaceful Transfer of Power by Baselessly Firing Appointees

Governor names immediate appointments to ensure critical government operations continue

GOP Legislators Admit They Can’t Fire Top Elections Official

In court filing Republican leaders say vote to fire Meagan Wolfe was 'symbolic.'

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Oct. 25

Senate Targets 6 Evers Appointees

Republicans leave elections commission unbalanced and board overseeing DNR unable to act.

Vos Won’t Attempt To Impeach Elections Administrator Until Lawsuit Finished

Senate President Chris Kapenga has asked the Assembly to start process.

Republican Legislators Deny Evers’ Appointment to Elections Commission

Vote nixes Joe Czarnezki, the Democratic appointee to bipartisan commission.

Republicans Vote Down 4 of Evers’ 5 DNR Board Nominees

But full Senate must still weigh in.

Despite Outside Objections, DNR Approves Increased Waterway Protections

WMC says it adds "red tape," but DNR board is following 2015 EPA requirements on discharge permits.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Sept. 26-27

Election Deniers Make False Charges at Senate Hearing on Top Election Official

Attorney General says Republicans' hearing to consider ousting Meagan Wolfe is illegal.

State Election Board Leaves Administrator In Legal Limbo

Commissioners split on whether Wolfe should testify to Senate.

Wildfires Spike In Wisconsin Amidst Drought Conditions

Approximately 250 more wildfires than normal have started in 2023.

4% of Tested Water Systems In Wisconsin Exceed EPA’s Proposed PFAS Limits

But all tested systems are meeting the state's less-stringent standard.

Wisconsin Regulators Propose New Wolf Management Plan

Plan doesn't include population target, drawing ire of Republican lawmakers and hunters.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Aug. 8-9

Republican-Controlled Senate Laying Groundwork To Fire Wisconsin Elections Chief

But Democrat on election board says there is nothing for Senate to actually vote on.

Elections Commission Deadlocks on Executive Director

3-3 vote means Meagan Wolfe will continue as director. Issue could go to courts.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting June 27–28

Business Group Threatens To Sue Over Water Quality Regulations

WMC says proposal would cost $57 million over two years, DNR says $2.5 million.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting May 23-24

Evers Makes 3 Appointments to DNR Board

All members of Natural Resources Board now appointed by Democratic governor.

Legislative Committee Rejects Funds for State’s Largest Land Conservation Plan

Republicans spike proposal to preserve 70,000 acres of forest in northern Wisconsin.

2023 Spring Hearing Statewide Results Now Available

DNR Secretary Promises Review of How Agency Works With Local Governments

Potential changes coming as a result of Pelican River Forest mix-up.

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Is Broken

Three-fourths of state citizens, the non-hunters, getting stonewalled by group.

Public Comments On Proposed Wolf Management Plan Are Now Available Online

Wisconsin NRB Meeting April 12

DNR Pledges Changes to Wisconsin’s Wolf Management Strategy

But draft legislation from Republicans might overrule DNR Secretary's plan.

Republicans Holding Confirmation Hearings For Gov. Evers’ New Appointees

Agriculture, DNR secretaries get hearings, a marked change from Evers' last term.

Proposed federal PFAS limits signal growing concern over health risks of “forever chemicals”

Federal PFAS limits are far lower, more expansive than current Wisconsin standards

Wisconsin Conservation Congress and DNR To Host Open Houses In All 72 Counties

Learn About Local Resource Management

Judge Dismisses Open Records Case Against DNR Board Member

Yes, Fred Prehn delayed providing records but no, plaintiff can't collect attorney fees.

Last Call For Comments: DNR Seeking Input On Proposed Wolf Management Plan Through Feb. 28

DNR Member Warns Wisconsin Needs Money To Maintain Its Conservation Land

The state has acquired approximately 1.5 million acres of land through stewardship programs.

DNR Natural Resources Board Honor Awarded To John Pohlman

Rebecca Wallace Memorial Award Honors Excellence In Environmental Work

Wisconsinites Invited To Participate In WI Conservation Congress Resolution Process

DNR Avoids Drama With New Secretary, New Board

Wednesday's meeting was first without expired members who had refused to resign.

Evers Wants $100 Million For PFAS, Will Republicans Back Proposal?

Residents with polluted water want solutions, but have waited years.

Will New Overseers Change DNR Policies?

As Evers appointees replace Walker holdovers on Natural Resources Board, environmental groups hope for changes.

Southwestern Wisconsin Farmer Appointed To DNR Board

Gov. Evers appoints Paul Buhr to replace Walker-appointee William Bruins.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Jan. 25

Conservation Groups Cite Damage From Prehn’s Time on Natural Resources Board

Serving beyond his term limits and favoring lobbyists and PFAS polluter, critics charge.

Republican Lawmakers Oppose Record-Breaking Wisconsin Land Conversation

Sen. Felzkowski leads opposition to preserving 56,000 acres of forest near Rhinelander.

After 4 Years, 180 Appointees by Gov. Evers Haven’t Been Confirmed

Republican Senate leaves them in limbo. 'Tell me what I need to do,' Ever says.

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2022 Accomplishments

Embattled Former DNR Board Chair Resigns, Ending Saga

Prehn, whose appointment had expired, was able to stay on because Republicans wouldn't confirm his replacement.

Senator Agard: Statement on Fred Prehn’s Resignation

Wisconsin Seeking Federal Help For Town With PFAS Contamination 170 Times Safe Levels

“We don't really have an idea where it's coming from,” says DNR official.

DNR Will Again Attempt To Draft PFAS Groundwater Standards

DNR board approved drinking and surface water standards in February, but failed to pass limits for groundwater.

Natural Resources Board Moves Forward with Groundwater Standards to Protect Wisconsin Communities from PFAS Contamination

Black Bear Harvest Authorization Applications Due Dec. 10

Group Sues As Prehn Won’t Comply With Records Request

Prehn has refused to step down from DNR board.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Dec. 14

DNR Secretary Preston Cole Retiring

Cole rose through ranks of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works before taking state job.

Gov. Evers Announces DNR Secretary Cole Retirement

Did Fred Prehn Flout Open Records Law?

Judge hears arguments whether Natural Resources Board member who refused to resign withheld records.

What Will Happen to Evers’ Appointees?

After four years, a long list of his appointees to head departments, serve on state boards still haven't been approved by GOP Senate.

Would Michels Break Up Wisconsin DNR?

GOP canddidate for governor says he'd consider this. Other Republicans have tried and failed.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Oct. 25-26

Republican-Controlled Legislature Has Hindered Environmental Protection

Conservation group releases report claims politics have trumped environment since 2011.

Controversial 2021 Wolf Hunt Caused 14% Population Drop

DNR says population is stable, but now below 1,000.

After Texts Released, DNR Board Member Publicly Calls For Prehn To Resign

Walker appointee with expired term has refused to leave board, which texts reveal is politically motivated.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Sept. 27-28

State PFAS Council Releases Progress Report

State making progress on PFAS remediation, but political barriers remain.

DNR Wants Water Utilities Notifying Customers of PFAS

DNR urges notice after EPA releases much stronger PFAS standards.

State DNR Adds New PFAS Rules

Regulating 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, surface water and fire fighting foam.

Should Wisconsin Establish Right to Clean Water?

5 counties will have referendums on this question in November election.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Aug. 10

Digital Records At Issue In Suit Against Natural Resources Board Member

Fred Prehn, who refused to step down from board, will provide cell phone records under court order.

High Court Leaves Kohler-Andrae At Risk

State Supreme Court decision leaves just one obstacle to land swap for Kohler golf course.

How Governor’s Power Was Weakened

Recent high court decision latest of several rulings reducing governor's power.

State High Court Throws Out Challenge To Kohler Land Swap

4-3 ruling allows transfer of state park land for a proposed golf course.

State Supreme Court Says Natural Resources Board Member Can Stay

Legislature won't okay Evers appointee to replace Fred Prehn so Prehn won’t step down.

AG Kaul Statement on Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision in Kaul v. Prehn

June 29, 2022

Fred Prehn Must Go

Wisconsin gets first ever standards for PFAS as EPA warns the “forever chemicals” pose far greater risk than once thought

State PFAS Standards Take Effect July 1

First standards for ‘forever chemicals’ require public water systems to test for PFAS.

Kleefisch, Nicholson Promise Overhaul of UW Regents

GOP challengers for governor promise to recall, replace Evers’ 9 appointees to the board.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting June 22

Deadline For Remote Appearance Requests And Written Comments 11 a.m. June 15

PFAS Shuts Down Wells In Marshfield, Adams

Drinking water contaminated. Waukesha court ruled DNR can’t regulate deadly pollutant.

DNR Planning New E. Coli Regulations

State business lobby concerned DNR will consider stricter PFAS standards too.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting May 25

Deadline For Remote Appearance Requests And Written Comments 11 a.m. May 18

Evers Appoints 3 New UW Board of Regents Members

But will Republican Legislature approve the nominees?

6 Wisconsin Tribes Oppose Bill Scrapping Wolf Protections

Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson sponsor bill to lift federal wolf protections.

Marinette PFAS Cleanup Could Begin This Summer

PFAS polluters Johnson Controls and Tyco building system to clean up forever chemicals.

2022 Spring Hearing Results Now Available

Judge Rules DNR Can’t Regulate PFAS

State agency lacks authority, Waukesha judge rules. Environmental advocates plan appeal.

Wisconsin NRB Meeting April 13

Deadline For Remote Appearance Requests And Written Comments 11 a.m. April 6

Peshtigo Residents Seek Superfund Designation for PFAS Pollution

Residents send petition to EPA after two of six city wells shut down for high PFAS levels.