Wisconsin environmental officials are taking public comments on a draft of state's first general wetlands construction permit next week.

The Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing for July 31 in Madison. The agency also will take written comments through Aug. 16.

Republican lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that created a two-tiered construction permit system for wetlands. Developers can apply to the DNR for a broad general permit or an individual permit for more specialized projects.

In the past developers could apply only for individual permits. Republicans contended a general permit will speed up projects.

Under the DNR's draft regulations, the general permit would apply to projects smaller than 10,000 square feet. Developers would have to minimize erosion and wetland impacts.