Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Ag Groups Issue 'Action Alert' Over New Groundwater Bill

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State Ag Groups Issue 'Action Alert' Over New Groundwater Bill
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/12/2010

A coalition of Wisconsin farm organizations are urging their members to contact their legislators and ask them not to co-sponsor a proposal that would make drastic changes to Wisconsin's ground water regulations. According to an 'Action Alert' issued by the groups this week, Senator Mark Miller of Monona and Rep. Spencer Black from Madison are drafting the so-called 'Groundwater Protection Act,' which some feel will hurt Wisconsin farmers.

Specifically, the legislation would take away the power from the legislature to designate Groundwater Management Areas, and transfers those powers to an unelected subcommittee of the unelected Groundwater Coordinating Council. It would also grant counties the power to regulate groundwater and surface water, rather than the state.

"In groundwater management areas, this legislation requires a local groundwater management council consisting of county officials, to develop groundwater management plan that must be protective of surface water and groundwater," the alert stated. "Although the draft legislation establishes parameters for these plans, the power to regulate groundwater and surface water uses is a power that belongs at the state, not the local, level. We oppose patchwork water regulation. We support statewide consistency with DNR and Legislative oversight and checks and balances."

The measure also states that any person can file a petition with the DNR requesting environmental review of a proposed high capacity well, which the ag coalition says is a dangerous precedent that will only serve to expose Wisconsin farmers to expensive and burdensome legal challenges.

To access a directory of your local lawmakers, call the Wisconsin legislative hotline at 800-362-9472.