WisconsinEye Contributor John Powell interviewed two Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) officials about the department’s response to the threat of the emerald ash borer, an exotic invasive bug which destroys ash trees. It has not yet been found in Wisconsin. DATCP’s Mick Skwarok and Brain Kuhn discuss what the state is doing to detect the borer and prevent its spread. Skwarok and Kuhn were interviewed from WisconsinEye’s Madison studio on May 2, 2008.

Description to follow.

In an attempt to keep up to date on the expansion of the ash-tree-destroying emerald ash borer – which has been found Michigan and Illinois, among other states – the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has been conducting a survey through southern Wisconsin checking for the invasive species. WisconsinEye joined a crew peeling ash trees in Hartland, Wis. on April 22 to see how the work is accomplished.

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster gave a short address to the Council on Library and Network Development on January 11 in Madison. Created by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 1979, the Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) advises the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (DPI) to ensure that all state citizens have access to library and information services.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor John Wiley announced he will step down from his post in 2008. Wiley, 65, has been at UW-Madison for more than 30 years, serving as chancellor since 2001. He made the announcement at the Chazen Art Museum in Madison.

In one of its last meetings before being rolled over into the new Government Accountability Board, the State Elections Board discussed several items of business including security of electronic voting equipment, rules for election official training. They also received a status report on the Government Accountability Board. The Wisconsin Legislature created the Government Accountability Board in January 2007, to assume the combined responsibilities of the current State Elections Board and the State Ethics Board.

In one of its last meetings before being rolled over into the new Government Accountability Board, the State Elections Board discussed several items of business including security of electronic voting equipment, rules for election official training. They also received a status report on the Government Accountability Board. The Wisconsin Legislature created the Government Accountability Board in January 2007, to assume the combined responsibilities of the current State Elections Board and the State Ethics Board.

The Natural Resources Board met in Madison October 23. They considered Board Order AM-08-07, incorporation of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the surface coating of paper; Board Order AM-12-07, pertaining to the revision of Wisconsin Administrative Code, incorporating changes in Federal Definitions, Permit Requirements and Portable Source Relocation Requirements; Board Order LE-07-07, revisions to NR 8, Wisconsin Administrative Code, pertaining to procedures for implementation of the wildlife violators compact; Board Order SS-06-06, related to Laboratory Certification and Registration; authorization proposed rules affecting NR 405, 407, and 408 pertaining to the incorporation of changes of federal regulations for the air permitting of ethanol plants; authorization for public hearing for Board order AM-31-07, incorporation of federal amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) into the Wisconsin Administrative Code; authorization for Public Hearings for Board Order WT-35-07, Revision of Chapter NR 105 Relating to the Establishment of Surface Water Quality Criteria and Secondary Values for Toxic Substances. They also considered several land acquisition in the Jackson Marsh Wildlife Area - Washington County, Glacial Habitat Restoration Area - Winnebago County, Onion River Stream bank Protection Area - Sheboygan County, Peter Helland Wildlife Area - Columbia County, Dunnville Wildlife Area - Dunn County, Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area - Iron County. The board also addressed adoption of FH-30-07, rules to control the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus in Wisconsin and FH-40-07(E), rules to control the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus in Wisconsin.

The Natural Resources Board met in Madison October 23. They considered Board Order AM-08-07, incorporation of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the surface coating of paper; Board Order AM-12-07, pertaining to the revision of Wisconsin Administrative Code, incorporating changes in Federal Definitions, Permit Requirements and Portable Source Relocation Requirements; Board Order LE-07-07, revisions to NR 8, Wisconsin Administrative Code, pertaining to procedures for implementation of the wildlife violators compact; Board Order SS-06-06, related to Laboratory Certification and Registration; authorization proposed rules affecting NR 405, 407, and 408 pertaining to the incorporation of changes of federal regulations for the air permitting of ethanol plants; authorization for public hearing for Board order AM-31-07, incorporation of federal amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) into the Wisconsin Administrative Code; authorization for Public Hearings for Board Order WT-35-07, Revision of Chapter NR 105 Relating to the Establishment of Surface Water Quality Criteria and Secondary Values for Toxic Substances. They also considered several land acquisition in the Jackson Marsh Wildlife Area - Washington County, Glacial Habitat Restoration Area - Winnebago County, Onion River Stream bank Protection Area - Sheboygan County, Peter Helland Wildlife Area - Columbia County, Dunnville Wildlife Area - Dunn County, Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area - Iron County. The board also addressed adoption of FH-30-07, rules to control the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus in Wisconsin and FH-40-07(E), rules to control the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus in Wisconsin.

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster gave a State of Education Address at the State Capitol September 20.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents met September 6 and discussed the Strategic Framework of the UW System to Advantage and Advance Wisconsin's Future.

The Government Accountability Board met for the first time August 23. The board, consisting of former judges, received information from the Ethics Board and the Elections Board to help determine the board's future course.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents met August 7 to approve the 2007-08 operating budget and tuition/fee schedules for UW
System.

In an emergency meeting the State Natural Resources board met to discuss viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a virus which affects fish, which had recently spread to Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago.