MADISON –  Kerry Schumann, executive director, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s executive orders today to “tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad,” including a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal public lands or offshore waters. “After four years of destructive policy and decision-making at the federal level, we’re now even further behind as a nation on fighting climate change, protecting our environment, and protecting our water and our public lands,” Schumann said. “From his very first day on the job, President Biden has put his campaign promises into action.

Effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2021, all but one of Wisconsin’s regions will be under the frozen road declaration, which allows heavier loads for trucks hauling logs or winter maintenance salt and sand. The frozen road determination for the last remaining region, Zone 5 which covers the southeast corner of the state, will be made as conditions warrant (view map: https://wisdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=2e56b5b256124198b0be2c4815c42a18). WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts and frost tubes (liquid-filled devices under pavement) to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads. This video shows how WisDOT monitors field conditions to verify frost depths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGvOoYYKAS0

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a virtual public meeting to discuss proposed changes to the DNR’s rough fish removal program. The rough and detrimental fish removal program is intended to facilitate the removal of fish species that cause water clarity, water quality and habitat impairments in Wisconsin’s waterbodies. Through the removal of these fish species, such as common carp, measurable improvements in water quality and habitat occur, benefiting gamefish populations and recreational experiences. The meeting will be held via Zoom on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in rough and detrimental fish removal

Madison, WI – Representative Scott Krug (R-Rome) voted again for the COVID-19 Relief Bill, reaffirming his support of legislation that would provide Wisconsin with more tools to fight the pandemic. In order to ensure that Wisconsinites have access to necessary medication, COVID tests and vaccines, while still limiting government overreach, the Assembly made amendments to the legislation that was passed by the Senate. “COVID-19 remains a threat our communities and we will continue to work together to defeat the virus but not at the expense of our freedoms,” said Rep. Krug. The Assembly reinstated several critical provisions that were removed

Rebecca Wallace Memorial Award Honors Excellence In Environmental Work MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that Gail Good, DNR Air Management Program Director, will receive the 2020 Rebecca Wallace Memorial Award. Good received the award at the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. This prestigious award honors DNR employees who improve relationships with external partner agencies and organizations on environmental quality issues or staff mentoring. The NRB passed a memorial resolution honoring DNR employee Rebecca Wallace, who lost her life, along with her husband, in an automobile accident in 1997. Wallace,