Take Action: Groundwater Protection

Groundwater Protection - Senate Bill 524/Assembly Bill 926:  A Good First Step

Through an inclusive process, Representative DuWayne Johnsrud, Senator Neil Kedzie, and their staff members brought together multiple representatives interested in and affected by groundwater management. These stakeholders, including Clean Wisconsin, shared a common interest in protecting this important economic and spiritual resource. By bringing these groups together, Kedzie and Johnsrud were able to fashion a good first step (SB 524/AB 926) toward comprehensive management of Wisconsin’s water resources.  Due to the fact Governor Doyle was asking for this legislation so he could sign it by Earth Day 2004 (April 22),Clean Wisconsin is relatively confident it will shortly be signed into law.  Here is a sampling of what the bill accomplishes:

• Sets standards for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote better decision making.  It gives the DNR authority to look at and deny permits in areas around trout streams, exceptional resource waters, outstanding resource waters and very large springs.  Future efforts should ensure protections for all of Wisconsin’s groundwater-reliant water bodies and springs. 
• Forms an Advisory Committee to look at where the protections need to be expanded in the future. Clean Wisconsin will work to play a major roll in this committee
• Puts in place a way for local governments in areas that are experiencing dramatic groundwater declines to work together to find a solution. Clean Wisconsin will be working with municipal leaders to help this process

Wisconsin has a long history of ensuring its citizens’ right to use but not abuse the state’s waterways and water resources.  This bill starts us down the road to this goal.

You Can Continue to Make a Difference!

Clean Wisconsin wants to thank everyone who supported us and those who called Governor Doyle and their Legislators and asked them to support protections for everyone who needs water: residents, towns, businesses, fish, and wildlife.  But the work isn’t over yet.  Here are a few more things you can do to help:

Five priorities for a Comprehensive Groundwater Law:

CleanWisconsin has a five-point plan for assuring long-term groundwater protection, which are:

1. Conservation: Wisconsin must manage its groundwater for today and the future by promoting conservation and efficient use.

2. Protection:The Act must establish a system that prohibits wells that would a) draw down neighboring wells, or b) lower the water levels, raise water temperatures, or threaten fish habitat in springs, headwaters, wetlands, streams, or lakes.

3. Fairness: The Act must provide regular review of water permits to insure safety and conservation, and make sure all citizens have an equitable right to water, not just those who got their permits first.

4. Knowledge: Today, state agencies and scientists know few details about Wisconsin’s groundwater.  This Act must provide a scientific, statewide system for measuring, documenting, and assessing Wisconsin’s aquifers and groundwater resources.  This will assure healthy and abundant groundwater for years to come.

5. Funding:  No law can make a difference without money for implementation and enforcement.  Especially during these tough budget times, this Act should make sure permits and fees adequately cover the cost of establishing and managing the groundwater protection program.

Certainly, this is an impressive set of goals for a Comprehensive Groundwater Law.  When enacted together, these five priorities will assure access for all Wisconsin residents to abundant, safe, affordable water – for home, work, and play. CleanWisconsin will continue to work toward accomplishing these five priorities.