DNR Secretary Takes Issue With Wisconsin's Compact Killers

Ill-timed actions by GOP Assembly Republicans to"gut" the pending Great Lakes Compact could bring economic harm to Waukesha communities hoping to get Lake Michigan water, according to a letter to the GOP representatives from DNR Secretary Matt Frank.

It's probably a wasted effort, but good for Frank to frame the debate in those terms, since the Compact killers announced their plan Thursday, the same day a bill to implement the Compact in Wisconsin was rolled out in Madison after more than two years of preparation.

Talk about regional uncooperation - - as the goal was a bi-partisan bill to move along an agreement already adopted in four Great Lakes states and about to be approved in two and perhaps three of the remaining four - - meaning our state, the home of iconic conservationists Gaylord Nelson and Aldo Leopold could be the lone holdout to implemention of an agreement to save the Great lakes that has been seven years in the making.

And which does not go on to the US Congress for its crucial approval until all eight states adopt similar bills - - something the Compact killers are willfully trying to prevent.

As I have pointed out many times on this blog, a small group of ideological conservatives and ill-informed business interests, led by the WMC and State Sen. Mary Lazich, (R-New Berlin), are putting the Great Lakes Compact - - an eight state, two-country water management agreement and process - - at risk.

For Lazich, the contradictions are overwhelming.

That's because she represents a city that, under the Compact, is given a specific procedural break for easier access to Lake Michigan water - - an exception that does not exist under current and applicable federal law.

If members of Lazich's party successfully stall or torpedo the Compact, New Berlin's efforts to win a water deal could be blocked by the federal law.

As I said 10 months ago on this blog, when Lazich was inexplicably leading the fight against the Compact at the Capitol, that's how you shoot your entire district in the foot.