Monday, May 16, 2016

Walkerites add to their 'little' wetland fillings

Before we look at the latest example, let's read again the historic warning against so-called small Wisconsin water losses - - a concept so foundational to sane public interest water management that the Wisconsin Supreme Court used it to anchor a ruling still cited by the Wisconsin DNR which Walker is systematically destroying:
"A little fill here and there may seem to be nothing to become excited about. But one fill, though comparatively inconsequential, may lead to another, and another, and before long a great body may be eaten away until it may no longer exist. Our navigable waters are a precious natural heritage, once gone, they disappear forever," wrote the Wisconsin State Supreme Court justices in their opinion resolving Hixon v. PSC.(2)
Canoeing
And which the corporate-obedient Wi Attorney General Brad Schimel is trying to undo through an advisory opinion sought by the corporate-obedient GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

Now remember that immediately upon his January, 2011 swearing-in, Gov. Walker administratively suspended a wetland filling permit review by the DNR on behalf of a campaign contributor:
Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill Friday that would allow a developer to construct a retail center favored by the Green Bay Packers on a wetland near Lambeau Field.  
Walker introduced the legislation in January at the request of the developer after planning had slowed for a Bass Pro Shops, or another retailer, for a store at Highway 41 and Lombardi Ave. in Ashwaubenon, a suburb of Green Bay. 
Now after more bills to ease development in wetlands have been proposed and promoted by insiders who bragged about it and then signed in front of the special interests which will benefit, file away this fresh example that has its roots in Walker's campaign against the Wisconsin environment:
A proposal by Steinhafels Furniture to fill wetland areas to make way for the company's continued expansion has been given the green light by the city's plan commission.

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