January

Wetland Reform Bill to be Voted on in February
On Tuesday, January 10 and Thursday, January 12, the Wisconsin Assembly and the Senate Natural Resources Committees held two public hearings regarding the proposed Wetland Reform Bill (LRB 2803/1).  The proposed bill applies to the regulation of wetlands in Wisconsin that do not fall under federal regulation.  The Senate and the Assembly are expected to vote on the final bill in February, 2012.

On Friday, January 13 Representative Joan Ballweg kindly met with representatives from the Green Lake Sanitary District, Green Lake Conservancy, the Green Lake County Land Conservation Department, and the Green Lake Association to discuss their concerns about the proposed wetland reform bill.  The groups’ main concerns with the proposed bill included items which related to streamlining the permitting process for projects that discharged into or impacted wetlands.  They included:

• The elimination of all references in the bill regarding “Areas of Special Natural Resource Interest" which includes exceptional quality or highly threatened wetlands.  Why is this important?  By eliminating these references, it would be difficult to distinguish between the qualities of different wetlands when applicants apply for general permits for projects that could discharge into wetlands.
• Language in the bill needs to clarify that mitigation should never entitle an applicant to a permit.  Why is this important?  This language is removed from the proposed wetland reform bill which could potentially increase the use of mitigation as a first and preferred option rather than a last resort for applicants when applying for general permits for projects that impact wetlands.  Mitigation is a tool and a new federal policy that requires compensation for unavoidable wetland impacts via the creation of man-made wetlands or restoration of degraded wetlands.

Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA), a wetland conservation organization with staff specializing in policy and regulation, has prepared a thorough analysis and commentary on the bill.  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also published an article Jan. 7 regarding the Wetlands Reform Bill. Read the full article.

Wetlands and Big Green Lake: Their Relationship

“Over the past century, Wisconsin has lost roughly 50% of Wisconsin’s wetlands. Wetlands filter surface and ground water and slow soil and pollutant run-off to help keep our lakes, rivers, streams, and even our well water clean and pure. Besides keeping our waters clean, wetlands naturally help keep flood waters under control. Wetlands filled directly by development or indirectly by soil erosion result in few places for rising flood waters and rainfall to settle” (Wisconsin Wetlands).  Click here to see wetlands located in Big Green Lake’s watershed and the surrounding area.

Wetlands are an important natural resource that OUR community members value. 

• In 2000, a survey was distributed to a randomly selected group of county residents.  Nearly 93% of survey respondents strongly agreed or agreed that protecting and preserving the natural resources such as soil, water, and wetlands was important to them. 
• One of the goals stated in the Town of Green Lake’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan is to ensure that the natural resources of the Town, specifically the lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and marshes are preserved in their natural condition and protected from development pressures.
• Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised via grants and private donations to protect the wetlands surrounding Big Green Lake via the Green Lake Conservancy Partnership.

While the Wisconsin Assembly and the Senate Natural Resources Committees have already held their public hearings regarding the proposed Wetland Reform Bill (LRB 2803/1), it’s not too late for you to contact your Senator and Assembly Representative to voice your opinion about this bill prior to February’s vote.

• Representative Joan Ballweg
• Senator Luther Olsen

Panel to hear repeal on phosphorus ban
A proposal to roll back a ban on displaying fertilizers with phosphorus was heard Tuesday, Jan. 10. The ban is a result of bipartisan legislation passed during a legislative session near the end of 2011 which requires retailers to keep the product in the back.

The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is opposing AB 165 saying runoff from the chemical leads to algae-choked, stinky lakes. “It goes a long way to deter tourism we’ve worked so hard to attract from Illinois and other parts of the country,” says Program Director Anne Sayers.

The bill would allow retailers to display phosphorus fertilizers but require a sign specifying legal guidelines for use of the chemical. Phosphorus can only be applied to grass in special circumstances such as commercial use.

But the League is concerned these circumstance can lead to confusion and “may result in people accidentally buying it for use on their own lawns.”
The state Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education Committee is taking up the bill.

Source: Wisconsin Radio Network

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