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October 28, 2010 ~SPECIAL EDITION~ |
Wisconsin Lakes
Gubernatorial Candidate Responses |
Important Dates ELECTION DAY!
Don't forget to vote!
Nov 2, 2010 Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards
- Nomination forms will be available on the Wisconsin Lakes website beginning Nov 2.- Nominations are due Feb 11, 2011 Minnesota-WisconsinInvasive Species ConferenceNov 8-10, 2010
St. Paul, MN
For more info, click here Lake Planning & AIS Grants DeadlineFeb 1, 2011 Speaking for Lakes:Lakes Convention 2011April 12-14, 2011
Green Bay, WIFor more info, click here
| Wisconsin Lakes recently invited the four candidates for governor of Wisconsin to respond to five questions regarding lake policy in the state. In these difficult economic times our lawmakers’ approach to protecting our lakes is more important than ever. In addition to being a resource worthy of protection in its own right, lakes make up a large component of Wisconsin's economy and tourism base, and their conservation, protection and restoration is often in direct competition with other economic sectors. With that in mind, we felt it important to give each a candidate a chance to express their views in a non-partisan environment, speaking directly to the folks most interested and invested in the issue. Each campaign was provided a set of the questions in early October and given a deadline of Oct 20 to reply. The four campaigns and their respective party include: Tom Barrett (Democrat) James James (Common Sense) James Dean Langer (Independent) Scott Walker (Republican) To download a .pdf of the questions and answers, click here. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND VOTE NEXT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2!! |
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Northern region
Northeast region West Central region South Central Region Southeast region |
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Question 1: Lakes in Wisconsin contribute significantly to state revenue through tax, tourist and recreation dollars. Many of the problems facing lakes are related to issues like groundwater, polluted runoff, aquatic invasive species, shoreland zoning and other concerns much larger than individual lakes. What initiatives will you advance to address the growing threat to lakes? What new or improved dedicated revenue streams will you suggest for the continued conservation, enhancement and restoration of our lakes, thereby protecting and increasing the tax, tourist and recreation dollars generated by Wisconsin lakes? |
| Barrett: When times are tough, the tough work smarter. Given the current $2.7 billion structural deficit confronting our state, I believe we must work to use the tools we have to protect our lakes. To that end, I will work as Governor to use remote sensing and other modern technology to increase lake monitoring for water quality and invasive species without increasing cost to taxpayers. I will work to maintain programs like Water Guard (special wardens for invasive species education, monitoring and enforcement) and lake grants so that we can leverage state investments with hard work and creative problem solving of lake groups and local governments. James: The candidate did not respond. Langer:
The candidate did not respond. Walker: The candidate did not respond. |
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| Our lakes, streams, and rivers are more noticeable resources than groundwater, perhaps due to groundwater’s out-of-sight-out-of-mind status. But the quantity and quality of surface waters and groundwater are inextricably linked. Reduced water in underground aquifers is becoming a noticeable problem, which is significantly impacting surface waters, as well as available drinking water. If elected, what would be your position on the management of Wisconsin's groundwater resources? What initiatives would you suggest to improve the protection of groundwater? |
| Barrett: As Governor, I will support the implementation of the Great Lakes Compact including inventory of statewide water use and smart community water supply planning and water conservation. I will also work on programs similar to Focus on Energy to explore water conservation programs. And I will encourage the legislature to finish work on the initiative begun by Mark Miller and Spencer Black to tackle some of our toughest groundwater problems (groundwater management plans for karst and central sands). James: The candidate did not respond. Langer: The candidate did not respond. Walker: The candidate did not respond. |
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Question 3: Potential polluted runoff, particularly phosphorus runoff, remains a major challenge in achieving pollution regulation for the waters of our state. Administrative rules aimed at protecting Wisconsin’s waters from phosphorus passed the Natural Resources Board on June 23, 2010 and the Legislature in September. There are still many unknowns with this package of rules, including questions about how adaptive management will work and where the state will find funding for additional cost sharing. If elected Governor, what will you do to resolve these unknowns and to implement the intent of the new administrative rules? |
| Barrett: Our communities have made great strides in cleaning up pollution since the days when our rivers foamed from raw wastewater discharges. The new rules will set in motion the most cost-effective investments for each watershed based on whether its problems are point or nonpoint pollution. The unknowns will be resolved with use of sound science and data. In my administration, DNR and DATCP will work closely together with farmers, and with local government and industry in partnership to carry out the rules. If the national economic picture and state revenues allow, I will explore increases in environmental bonding so that the state can support local government investments in pollution control infrastructure and best management practices to clean up water pollution problems. James: The candidate did not respond. Langer: The candidate did not respond. Walker: The candidate did not respond. |
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| In many quarters, aquatic invasive species (AIS) is an ever-growing problem for Wisconsin. The principal sources of these invasives are the Great Lakes and theMississippi River. There is a growing consensus that to prevent and ultimately halt invasives they must be stopped at the source — our border waters. Do you agree with this emerging consensus? As Governor, would you favor a Great Lakes multi-state cooperative effort to control invasives? Furthermore, as Governor, where would funding to control and prevent current and new invasive species rank in your list of budget priorities? |
| Barrett: I strongly support halting invasives before they reach our waters. It’s the only way we can realistically afford to combat invasives. I support sealing theChicago Ship Canal and the other channels in Chicago that connect the Mississippi to Lake Michigan to keep Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan. A multi-state cooperative effort is essential. We must work hard to find other ways to move goods through Chicago. Budgets will be tight --- but I know that ignoring invasives will cost a lot more in the long run. James: The candidate did not respond. Langer: The candidate did not respond. Walker: The candidate did not respond. |
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Question 5: As Governor, what would be your position be regarding the structure, management, and mission of the Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources? In particular, what would your position be on the often suggested separation of the WDNR into two divisions – a fishing and hunting division andnatural resources division? Would you favor or oppose reinstating the Public Intervenor to provide the citizens of Wisconsin with an additional voice in administration of the statutes and administrative rules governing Wisconsin's natural resources? Finally, what initiatives will you suggest for increasing the revenue available to the WDNR to enhance protective legislation for natural resources and provide effective enforcement of the current laws? |
| Barrett: Separation of DNR into two agencies would greatly increase the overall cost ofmanaging natural resources. As John Muir said, "everything is linked to everything else." Good fishing depends on good water quality; good hunting depends on good habitat. Regarding revenue, belt tightening will still be necessary while we weather global economic storm – not permanent cuts to DNR. I support the concept of a Public Intervenor. James: The candidate did not respond. Langer: The candidate did not respond. Walker: The candidate did not respond. |
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