NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 27.01 (2) (c) and (j), 23.09 (2) (d) 10. and 12., and 27.01 (10) (f), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources (Department) will hold a public hearing on revisions to Chapters NR 1 and 45, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to the management of Department-owned lands purchased for the Ice Age and North Country Trails.

The authority proposed in this rule is necessary in order to facilitate the development and management of properties purchased by the Department for the Ice Age and North Country Trails. This proposal would repeal and recreate s. NR 1.29, Wis. Adm. Code, to allow the Department to authorize some basic management activities on properties prior to writing and implementing a Department master plan. This proposal would also help to guide master planning on these properties. The proposed rules guide and permit management such as selective timber harvest, invasive species removal, installation of the Ice Age and North Country trails, and establishment of minor support facilities and amenities like small gravel parking lots and informational kiosks. The rule does not require that these activities occur. This rule change gives the department the ability to be significantly more responsive in managing State Ice Age trail areas.

This proposal also modifies a section of s. NR 45.10 to allow camping along the Ice Age and North Country Trails for long-distance hikers.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call Brigit Brown at (608) 266-2183 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.

The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted at the following Internet site: http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Ms. Brigit Brown, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted by email to brigit.brown@wisconsin.gov . Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before November 5, 2010. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings.. A paper copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Ms. Brown.

Sections 27.01 (2) (c), (j) and (10) (f), 23.09 (2) (d) 10. and 12., Stats., have been interpreted as providing the department with the authority to make these changes to provide guidance and direction on the management and development of lands for the Ice Age and North Country Trails.

The statute that authorizes the promulgation of this rule order is s. 27.01 (2) (c) (j), Stats. (in addition to the general authority under ss. 227.10 and 227.11, Stats). This section grants rule making authority to the department to establish rules governing properties. Further, s. 23.09 (2) (d) 10. and 12., Stats. authorizes purchase of lands by the department for the Ice Age Trail and North Country Trails, s. 27.01 (2) (c), Stats., instructs the department to plan for these properties, s. 23.17 (4), Stats., authorizes the development of department lands for the Ice Age Trail, and s. 27.01 (10) (f), Stats., allows the department to waive camping fees. All rules promulgated under this authority are subject to review under ch. 227, Stats.

There are no state rules or statutes currently under promulgation that directly relate to the provisions that are proposed in this administrative order.

The Bureau of Parks and Recreation recommends promulgating administrative rules that modify a section of s. NR 1.29 related to management of lands purchased for the Ice Age and North Country Trails.

Currently, there are no rules to specifically guide the management and development of this classification of land.

These rules would provide property managers and other department staff guidance on the management of lands purchased for the Ice Age and North Country trails. The proposed rules guide and permit some management of these lands such as selective timber harvest, invasive species removal, installation of the Ice Age and North Country trails, and minor support facilities and amenities such as small parking lots and informational kiosks.

The Bureau of Parks and Recreation also recommends promulgating administrative rules that modify a section of s. NR 45.10 to allow camping along the Ice Age and North Country Trails for long-distance hikers.

These state rules will help to carry out federal conditions placed on lands purchased for the Ice Age and North Country Trails using federal funds.

These rule change proposals do not represent significant policy changes and, when comparisons can be made, do not differ significantly from surrounding states. The Ice Age Trail is unique to Wisconsin and does not have a counterpart in surrounding states. Michigan and Minnesota manage the North Country Trail in a similar manner to what is being proposed.

The department owns approximately 75 properties which would be affected by this proposed rule. The rule would allow the department and trail partners to proceed with development and management of these properties and to ensure appropriate public access in accordance with the intended use of the properties.

These rules are applicable only to state properties and impose no compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses, and no design or operational standards are contained in the rule.

Pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have an economic impact on small businesses.

The department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator may be contacted at SmallBusiness@dnr.state.wi.us or by calling (608) 266-1959.

The Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.

The rule does not impose new requirements on the Department to perform work on these properties but would allow for increased flexibility to perform certain management activities where funds and available labor exist. Currently, much of this work is being done, or is proposed to be done by external partners, the Ice Age Trail Alliance and volunteers.

At this time, the special permission needed to perform management work on these properties requires Department staff time to develop the request for submittal to agency management. With these rules in place, that staff time would be decreased and could result in greater efficiencies at the program level.

These properties are wholly managed by the Department; consequently their approval would have no local fiscal effect. By increasing the ability to perform management of these properties to provide basic facilities (constructed trail, parking lot, e.g.), there may be an increase in use of these properties which may benefit local economies.

These rules, and the legislation which grants the department rule making authority, do not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector. Additionally, no significant costs are associated with compliance to these rules.

Indeterminate.

None.

GPR, FED, SEG-S.

Section 20.370 (1) (ea), (mu), (my), Stats.

None. New properties will be able to be managed to basic standards upon purchase.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to s. 36.30, Stats., the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System will hold a public hearing to consider rules to amend sections UWS 19.01 and 19.03, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to accrual and use of sick leave by faculty, academic staff, and limited appointees of the University of Wisconsin System.

Persons with disabilities requesting an accommodation to attend are asked to contact Jane S. Radue in advance of the hearing at (608) 262-2324.

Copies of the text of the proposed rule may be obtained at no charge from Jane S. Radue, Secretary, Board of Regents, 1860 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706; e-mail: jradue@uwsa.edu.

Comments may be submitted to: Jane S. Radue, Secretary, Board of Regents, 1860 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706; E-mail: jradue@uwsa.edu. The deadline for written comments is 4:30 p.m. on November 3, 2010.

Section 36.30, Stats.

Section 36.30, Stats.

Section 36.30, Stats., authorizes the Board to promulgate rules regulating sick leave for University of Wisconsin System faculty, academic staff, and employees holding positions under section 20.923 (4g) and (5), Stats.

Sections 40.05 (4) (b), 40.05 (4) (bp), 40.95, 103.10, and 230.12 (9), Stats.

The proposed rule would amend Ch. UWS 19, Wis. Adm. Code, to change the sick leave reinstatement period for unclassified employees who leave and then return to employment in the UWS from three to five years to be consistent with the current policy for classified staff. The proposed rule also would make a non-substantive correction to the definition of “sick leave" to conform to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act which has changed since Ch. UWS 19 was promulgated.

There are no existing or proposed federal regulations for summary and comparison.

There are no comparable rules in other states.

There were no factual data or analytical methodologies used to develop the proposed rules.

The proposed rules affect only faculty and academic staff of the University of Wisconsin System. They have no effect on small business.