This Week -- March 20, 2010-- On the Water

I didn’t anticipate how this week would pan out. It started easily enough, a few of the water-monitoring committee got together to inventory the Central Wisconsin Riverkeeper’s water monitoring equipment and discuss the needs for the training session coming up at the end of April (the 25th at Riverside Park in Waupaca, 2PM).

We’ve had a good response from attendees so far. Enthused volunteers are signing on to help with water monitoring our six Central Wisconsin counties in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette and the 3 W’s (Waushara, Waupaca, and Winnebago.) We’re looking forward to the training and getting everyone on board with what we hope to accomplish this water monitoring season. (The Agenda will be forthcoming.)

So, we spread out all the equipment, did a count of what we have and made a note about what was needed to fill our teams with the necessary physical tools for this purpose. We’re looking good! That was Monday afternoon.

I backed off the Project Healing Waters fly-tying over at the VA late Monday afternoon. But other committee members honored their commitment to meet with the Vets enrolled in this program. (If you want to be a part of this, you would be welcome and you’d feel better if you did! More on this program at www.CWTU.org)

And then Tuesday I attended the Wisconsin’s Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources discussing issues currently before Senators Miller, Jauch, Kedzie and Olsen--in attendance.

As environmentalists, we like to see how our government is working to protect our resources. Of particular interest is the Groundwater Protection Bill, SB620 and SB632, control of nonpoint source water pollution in certain Karst bedrock areas of the State--like NE Wisconsin--currently working their way through Committee.

This bill has been “working its way” for many years, according to the testimony and brief history provided by Professor Emeritus, Steve Born, who’s been part of the Senate Groundwater Advisory Committee since the mid-1970’s. There were many speaking in favor of passing this legislation.

SB620 simply defined will allow a ‘framework for compliance to the challenged resources of our State.”

There was some impassioned testimony before the committee on ‘disappearing lake water, dried up trout streams and inferences of what happens when NO ACTION is taken’ to the poor management practices of a few who insist that using more high-capacity wells “to pump more, and deeper if need be” may be the peril for us all.

Noticeable people speaking against this protection were: Kathy Pielsticker, DATCP and David Jelinski, Dairy Business Assn. You can probably find a link to their testimony on line. It’s mostly the same, tired reasoning always brought forth by these two organizations: $26 billion in State revenues and DBA’s tout “to keep farmers competitive in a global economy.” (I'm refraining from comment on the myth of 'global economy' here.)

Walking away from this hearing, you can’t help but thank those who show up to support the passage of this legislation. Wisconsin’s Groundwater has been under attack for too many years. We’re allowing the depletion of this resource on our Watch! Call your State Representatives and let them know your opinions on these important matters.

After my visit to the State Capitol I went to the Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) to thank them for their involvement with these committee hearings. It’s great to have their staff dedicated to conservation activities in Wisconsin. Actually these people are an articulate, informed group who support the environment.

While at MEA, I met their new director, Kim Wright. We discussed the legislative issues before the Senate. She is a strong, willing advocate for environmental causes. If you’re looking for someone to support your viewpoint in legislative or environmental legal issues, please support MEA with your donations. They work hard and deserve it.

And that was the first two days this week. More to follow…