DNR Seeks Public Comment on Access to Navigable Waters

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment regarding public access on Wisconsin’s navigable waters. The draft environmental assessment is available online at fws.gov/midwest/news/documents/WisconsinBoatEA2016-2020.pdf. This assessment is related to the development of public access sites on navigable waters in the State of Wisconsin, as well as the renovation or rehabilitation of existing public access sites to ensure safe boating access for the public. The draft environmental assessment evaluates several proposed action alternatives and funding options to address this goal, including no action, dependence on private sites to provide access, and continued use of Federal Sport Fish Restoration funding to improve access in Wisconsin. The purpose of this environmental assessment is to look at the feasibility and environmental consequences associated with each alternative, as it pertains to site selection and review process for development, renovation, and rehabilitation of public access sites on navigable waters in Wisconsin. This environmental assessment was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act that applies to the actions of all federal agencies. To request a hard copy of the draft assessment, request additional information, or submit comment, contact Heidi Nelson, DNR federal aid coordinator, at [email protected] or 608.266.5687. Comments can be sent via the email listed previously or by physical mail to Heidi Nelson, MB/8, 101 S Webster St. P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921. Comments must be received by Dec. 4, 2016.