Natural Resources Board approves emergency rule for NR 150

MADISON – On Wednesday, May 27, the Natural Resources Board approved an emergency rule for the Department of Natural Resources regarding the state’ s environmental policy act.

The board adopted the rule for NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code, which relates to the department’s environmental analysis procedures under the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act, or WEPA. A revision to the rule went into effect in April 2014 and current revisions are clarifications to those changes.

The board originally approved an extension in August 2014, and a 60-day extension was granted by the State Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) in January. A second 60 day extension was granted by JCRAR in March. The current extension of the August emergency rule was set to expire May 27.

“Major changes to these two critical laws became effective in April 2014,” said Dave Siebert, head of the DNR’s environmental analysis program. “However, in working with the 2014 rule, it became apparent that a few additional improvements were necessary. All these changes will make our compliance with WEPA more effective, meaningful and consistent.”