Previous Page | Partner Team Index

Wisconsin Lake Superior Public Advisory Team Meeting
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland
December 3, 2001

Introductions and Announcements: Each member present introduced him/herself.

Ted Smith re-introduced Duane Lahti, who recently took over Smith’s responsibilities, and said Lahti is “a strong ally for Lake Superior.” Smith said he felt this group is now coming together and expects it to reach a consensus point soon.

Special Designation Draft
Kim Bro outlined the Special Designation work group’s progress. Bro encouraged discussion from the two members of the Advisory Team who were present but are not part of the work group. The group felt the streams now classified as Outstanding Water Resources (OWR) would be extended into the lake. The Apostle Island National Lakeshore used a quarter-mile from their land boundaries and the committee copied this, although bay mouth bars may be different.

The special designations work group is looking for approval from the Advisory Team on this Tier 1 so they can start defining Tiers 2 and 3 in more detail. The main point of Tier 1 is that point source pollution is addressed; non-point source pollution and stormwater will be dealt with in Tiers 2 and 3.

Smith stated that as a spokesperson for this group, he would contact Sec. Bazzell about this team’s intention to define a special designation in three tiers, and that more documentation would be coming as the work group develops each tier. He felt it would not be best to start the rule making process immediately; but it would be wise to let the secretary know where we're heading and that there will be rule making needed in the future. Rules could be written with the help of the DNR and their attorneys. Tier one would be incorporated into existing Administrative Code. Tiers 2 and 3may require actual rule changes.

Bro proposed that the Advisory Team endorse the OWR proposal, as well as the development of Tiers 2 and 3; seconded by Bob Olsgard. A unanimous consensus was received.

The Advisory Team will take this Tier 1 proposal to the DNR secretary, and invite him to one of this groups’ spring meetings. The team also supports the subcommittee’s drafting their definitions for Tiers 2 and 3. Further discussion ensued regarding the future of the team, membership, designation, goals, land use plans, incentive, and mission.

A motion was made to have the discussions about Tiers 2 and 3 as the focus for the Advisory Team for the next six months. Bro moved to have special designations meetings once a month, with a joint meeting with the full Advisory Team in March or April.

Previous Page | Partner Team Index