Tweed's Link
Tweed's Link
Tweed's Link
Hope the link works...really wish we could preview our post.
https://wicouncil.tu.org/blog-posts/why-wetlands-matter
Here pretty much what was said in the call I received.
Legislation has been proposed that removes DNR’s permit authority for the protection of over one million acres of non-federally protected wetlands in Wisconsin. In 2001 the Wisconsin Legislature with overwhelming support from sportsmen and women and other Wisconsin citizens unanimously enacted legislation requiring DNR review and permitting before non- federally protected wetlands could be filled. A large proportion of these wetlands are high quality and provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state of Wisconsin. These wetlands are critical habitat for waterfowl, furbearers, pheasants and other game, nongame and endangered species. In addition these nonfederal wetlands often form the headwaters of Wisconsin’s streams including Wisconsin’s prized trout waters. Non-federally protected wetlands serve other important ecosystem roles, such as filtering pollutants from getting into Wisconsin lakes and streams and providing valuable flood storage thereby reducing flood damage to public and private property during storm events. The proposed bill is extremely damaging to the hunting, fishing and trapping community and the above sportsmen’s organizations call on the Legislature to engage sportsmen and women, other stakeholders and the Department of Natural Resources prior to developing legislation affecting Wisconsin’s valuable wetlands. The groups stand ready to assist in the development of legislation dealing with specific wetland regulatory problems but remain steadfast to protecting Wisconsin’s valuable nonfederal wetlands. Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation with a mission to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Contact: Nels Swenson, State Policy Chairman (608) 712-3347 Pheasants Forever is a nonprofit organization with over 8,300 members in the state of Wisconsin alone. Our organization and our members are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat on both the state and national level. Contact: Alex Weber, Regional Representative (608) 333-8599 The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is comprised of citizens elected from every county in Wisconsin and is dedicated to the responsible management of Wisconsin’s natural resources for present and future generations. Contact Larry Bonde, Chairman (920) 286-3327 The Wisconsin Trappers Association is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving and promoting trapping and the protection of furbearer populations and their habitat. Contact, Scott Zimmerman, President (920)382-7049 The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is a member based nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources. Contact Don Kirby, Executive Director 262-224-4949 The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit organization comprised of 205 hunting, fishing and trapping groups and is dedicated to conservation education and the advancement of sound conservation policies. Contact George Meyer, Executive Director (608) 516-5545
This will be a disaster.
But in the statement that I posted above it claims it will have an effect on headwaters of the trout streams.
Jobs bring money and wetlands take second fiddle. I know Riverkeepers was called about a guy with a very successful concrete business that encroached on wetlands. Encroached alright... he filled it in. Nothing was done because he provided revenue with taxes, employment and did many sidewalks and driveways for the town board. Wintertime he worked for the highway department plowing roads.
Farmers done here are selling their land at a premium to home builders etc. Illinois residents are running to Wisconsin and buying homes down here. Money boys... all about money.
The substitute amendment inadequately addresses the wetland confirmation procedures both currently in place today and proposed. Under current law, upon request and payment of a $300 fee, the DNR will provide a landowner a confirmation based on a site inspection and will concur with the results of a consulting wetland delineator. Yet, under the substitute amendment, the DNR must simply accept the wetland delineation of a qualified delineator and that is probably OK; however how does the public know that they are required to contact the DNR or a professional wetland delineator when there is no permit requirement? A significant percentage of the general public will assume that a wetland permit simply is no longer required and proceed to fill wetland areas without contacting the regulatory agencies or consultants, which will become both and administrative nightmare as well as an enormous waste of resources if "policing" will be actively done to find out who has done what.
I have no problem with exemption for artificial wetlands where human modification of the local geography caused the ponding of surface water or removal of soil down to the groundwater level. These conditions that have resulted in the establishment of wetland vegetation without providing the functional values of natural wetlands do not merit protection. However, the language of the substitute amendment establishes a process under which DNR must be notified of any project that may affect a wetland or landscape feature that is eligible for an exemption and then must issue a determination of whether the eligibility requirements are met or not. -My question once again is how will the general public become aware of that notification and determination process when the perception upon passage of this legislation will be that wetland fill permits are no longer required?
I understand that there's a huge push by real estate groups here in Wisconsin as well as contractors for this and I am for the state's growth, but there needs to be a balance met. The amendment as drafted doesn't protect Wisconsin's resources and is just sloppy.
PS- I'm unhappy with how the almighty DU laid down on this... Did big money get to them?
I wouldn't be surprised if some or several members of DU that contribute a lot have a lot to gain from this.