Posted: 12.08.2010

State wildlife officials will consider
permanent rules to control a fast-spreading bat disease.
White-nose syndrome has killed more than a million bats in 14
states and Canada.

The disease hasn't been found in Wisconsin. But the Department
of Natural Resources board has adopted emergency rules that added
four cave bats to the threatened species list and classified the
fungus linked to white-nose syndrome as an invasive species.
The DNR also proposed provisions that would allow it to inspect
and close caves and mines, but the board held off on adopting them
after commercial cave owners complained.

The new package retains all those provisions but softens the
closure process, saying the agency will work with cave owners to
develop site-specific plans.
The board will take up the permanent rules Wednesday.

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