GOP Party Line Vote Weakens Wisconsin Water Law, Says Wildlife Federation

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation took note of a darkening chapter in the state's history, and it will get worse when the Senate, led by former moderate Sen. Neal Kedzie, (R-Elkhorn),pushes through a mining bill that will inevitably pollute Wisconsin waters and degrade Chippewa wild-rice wetlands.

Poynette: Today, by a straight party line vote 17-16, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 368 that substantially rolls back wetland protection laws in the State of Wisconsin. The bill as drafted was opposed by the following major conservation groups in Wisconsin:

 

Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation,

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, the Wisconsin Wetlands Association and the National Wildlife Federation.

These organizations  proposed responsible amendments to the bill which would have maintained reasonable protection of wetlands balanced with appropriate wetland regulatory streamlining. 

The amendments were rejected  by a similar straight party line vote of 17-16. There is great concern that the bill as drafted will result in a substantial loss of wetlands in the state.

 

Wetlands are critically important for the fish and wildlife habitat that is the backbone for hunting, fishing and trapping in the state. 

Groups such as Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association and Pheasants Forever have spent millions of dollar in Wisconsin restoring wetlands. Senate Bill 368 undermines these efforts and seriously harms the interest of all hunters, anglers and trappers in the state.