Election day looms, Walker 'confronts' CWD

About the epidemic of chronic wasting disease, (CWD), in Wisconsin's deer herd,

A bony, listless wild deer spotted in Wisconsin this spring was euthanized by the state’s department of natural resources. It tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a fatal illness that has spread to 24 states

A bony, listless wild deer spotted in Wisconsin this spring was euthanized by the state’s department of natural resources. It tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a fatal illness that has spread to 24 states

that's spread to Walker's agenda, too:

1. Walker wouldn't be showing such interest in CWD if this weren't an election year.

2. Credit outdoors writer Patrick Durkin for pushing the matter through a heavily-documented expose of Walker's do-little approach to CWD in recent years.

I'd featured Durkin's piece when recounting in a blog post some "lazy, loose" policies which are Walker hallmarks:

There is more evidence that Wisconsin's obligation to protect the natural world needs a strong, principled revival.

*  I urge you to read Waupaca-based Patrick Durkin's latest report on the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state deer herd enabled by lax monitoring and lazy, loose policy-making by state officials:

CWD continues to spread in Wisconsin 

3. Durkin has been gathering and publishing his findings for some time - - here's a 2017 report - - and I've been reposting them.

4. What Walker says he'll set in motion to combat and prevent CWD are things which could have been stronger, or that he could have done earlier:

In a move long-recommended by animal disease experts, Walker said the state would ban the movement of live deer from deer farms in CWD-affected counties...  

In addition, Walker said a rule would be developed to require enhanced fencing at all 376 registered deer farms in the state. In the proposed rule, enhanced fencing would require either a second 8-foot-high fence, an electric fence or an impermeable physical barrier. 

A bill introduced last year by Reps. Nick Milroy (D-South Range) and Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire) sought to bolster fencing requirements at Wisconsin deer farms. However, it failed to get a hearing in the Republican-controlled Legislature...

As I said in an October piece about Walker's baggage - - including his mutual admiration society with Donald Trump - - heading into the election:

But let's not suggest that all of Walker's campaign trail burdens are Trump's doing. 

Walker is the one whose administration has failed to stem the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state deer herd, and whose corporate servitude has led to an ever-expanding number of bills, laws, one-sided settlements and special favors to businesses that are filling wetlands and giving polluters a green light.

I don't think Walker can campaign in rural Wisconsin this fall on the strength of his ritual deer-stand photo and, then come springtime, his fishing season opener appearance as state natural resources are constantly on his chopping block.

Hold your applause for Walker, please - - but props to Patrick Durkin.