Welcome to Oneida County Clean Waters Action
Exploring the issues that affect our rivers, lakes and ground water.
Exploring the issues that affect our rivers, lakes and ground water.
OCCWA advocates non-partisan responsible representation at the local and state government levels for protecting our greatest in the Northwoods: our pristine waters, wetlands, forests and clean air.
This OCCWA website serves as your resource for news about environmental issues that impact Oneida County in northern Wisconsin.
By Kathleen Cooper July 23, 2024- The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled on July 5 that the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee cannot legally block conservation projects initiated by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. In a rare bipartisan opinion, the court ruled 6-1 that provisions that require the Joint Finance Committee to unilaterally block projects and land acquisitions funded with money from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program violate the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. Justice Rebecca Bradley, one of the more conservative judges on the Supreme Court, wrote that the legislature gave the power to distribute stewardship money when it established the program, and that the blocking of funding by the legislature violates the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
One of the greatest achievements of our state legislature is the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Established in Wisconsin in 1989 with bipartisan support, this fund provides money to care for our state’s land and water, as well as to build the trails, campgrounds, and boat landings that allow Wisconsinites to get out and enjoy our state.
In the past, the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee had the self-proclaimed power to stop Knowles-Nelson funding for conservation projects. This is what put the acquisition of the Pelican River Forest conservation easements project in jeopardy. One anonymous objector, (who turned out to be Mary Felzkowski, our state senator) was able to withhold the funding. Thankfully, private funding for the conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest were acquired, after almost two years of hard work by our governor, concerned citizens, and conservation groups, and in spite of the fact that Tom Tiffany (our congressional representative) tried to block the funding on the federal level.
Republicans have long criticized the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, stating that it prevents land from being developed and takes parcels off local tax rolls. This is misleading, especially as it pertains to the Pelican River Forest, because even though the conservation easements prevent the forest from being developed, it is still private land and a working forest, with responsible timber harvesting and trails for ATV’s, snowmobiles, and hiking, as well as plenty of wetlands, rivers, and forestland in which to hunt, fish, kayak, or just to enjoy its beauty.
When Ms. Felzkowski withheld the Knowles-Nelson funding for the PRF, there was a public outcry, because forestland is the trademark of the Northwoods, fueling our record setting tourist industry, and providing jobs in logging and timber production. She then held “listening sessions' in various towns that border this forest. However, she really didn’t listen to her constituents, who, one by one, spoke out in favor of the PRF. In fact, at the beginning of the meeting in Rhinelander, she stated “No matter what you say, I’m not changing my mind.” That closed off and defiant attitude defeats the purpose of a listening session. She also stated that she is in favor of mining in northern Wisconsin (which was most likely behind her opposition to the PRF). She kept proclaiming that northern Wisconsin had “too much” public land as an argument against the PRF, which is misleading, because again, PRF is private land, and is taxed.
Tom Tiffany was no better. He has a close affiliation with an anti-conservation group called the American Stewards of Liberty, a Texas group that is anti-conservation, anti-endangered species, and anti-public land. Mr. Tiffany orchestrated meetings of the ASL and the Oneida County Board chair Scott Holewinski, who, under the advice of Tiffany and the ASL, drafted a letter to the US Forest Service, which was unapproved and unknown about by the county board. This letter voiced his opposition to the project, not as a private citizen, but as Oneida County Board Chairman, in an attempt to urge the federal government to withhold payment for the Pelican River Forest. Tiffany and Holewinski’s scheme did not work, because the project did go through, thanks to Governor Evers and several conservation organizations.
Our local, state, and federal elected officials need to stop pandering to the interests of extractive and other industries and start listening to the people they represent. We want the clean air, clean water, forestland, and wildlife that makes Oneida County not only a top tourist destination in Wisconsin, but also keeps us healthy and happy. Our children and grandchildren will thank us for our vigilance in keeping our Northwoods beautiful and thriving.
WXPR Coverage of Wisconsin Supreme Court decision Legislative trick that slowed the Pelican River Forest project in the Northwoods ruled improper | WXPR
Clean Water Clean Mushrooms, Pelican River Forest host's first organized event.
See Photo
A wonderful example of economic stimulus made possible by the “Northwood’s Newest Gem” – the Pelican River Forest – was experienced July 18th through 21st in the counties of Oneida, Langlade and Forest.
Eighty mycologists from all over Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota turned out for a four-day mushroom foray in the spectacular Pelican River Forest (PRF) and surrounding forestlands of the region. Participants had a multitude of prime forestland locations to explore for all forms of fungi.
Aside from all the benefits the PRF provides for Wisconsin’s Timber Industry, and public recreation activities such as ATV-ing, hunting, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing, the scientific-based activity of discovering what species of mushrooms exist in the region is an incredible bonus benefit of the PRF conservation project.
For more details of the event see WISBUSINESS link Wisconsin Mycological Society Foray: 1st organized event in Pelican River Forest | WisBusiness
OCLRA's Six County Meeting successful in gathering environmental advocates and public to share and learn. (Photo courtesy Joe Steinhage) Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (OCLRA) in concert with the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association held their annual Six County Meeting at Nicolet College on July 12th.
Without a doubt this annual meeting is the shining star of Oneida County
environmentalism, and water protection and this year was no exception. The Theme: “Protecting Our Waters: We’re All Connected!”
Along with traditional presentations, a lively and informative panel discussion was held on the connections among the rich water resources of our northern counties. Topics covered were wetland health and management, Wisconsin River dam control, State water policies, PFAS, and the effects of climate change.
For those who did not attend, we can tell you that you missed out on down to earth, in plain language, presentations and discussions. We at OCCWA congratulate Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association on their professionalism and recognize their value to our county all while not spending taxpayer dollars. BRAVO!
Lake Tom adopts Enhanced Wave Ordinance while Town of Cassian considers invitation to Last Wilderness Alliance. On July 10th the Lake Tomahawk Town Board unanimously approved an enhanced wave ordinance. The approval was celebrated by residents with standing applause. The ordinance construction came about after the town earlier in the year hosted a wave boat presentation by The Last Wilderness Alliance (LWA). Lake Tom becomes the second Oneida County town to adopt such an ordinance joining the town of Newbold.
On July 15th the town of Cassian took public comment and had discussion on an agenda item pertaining to having LWA out to give a wave boat presentation. There was much public interest voiced on the issue. Without Chairman Francoeur in attendance the board chose to not schedule the presentation yet. Cassian residents are recommended to monitor upcoming town agendas.
For those towns interested in a free presentation on impacts of wave boats and how to adopt an ordinance we recommend contacting The Last Wilderness Alliance https://lastwildernessalliance.org/contact as well as viewing their OCCWA May 10th post below on our home page.
Don't eat the foam! From a July 10th WPR article- Study finds foam on Wisconsin rivers and lakes has higher PFAS levels than waters below - WPR Well intuitively, most people tend to avoid the foam on top of lakes and rivers, and here's where that intuition is validated.
Article quote- " Christina Remucal is a co-author of the study and a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UW-Madison. She said the PFAS concentrations in foam were “jaw-dropping.” Samples of foam collected from Lake Monona showed PFAS levels up to roughly 328,000 parts per trillion."
Remember, many times young children are not allowed to venture into deeper waters and tend to gravitate to shorelines and shallow water where this foam tends to accumulate. With that in mind we recommend parents heed this latest PFAS news.
Boating ad during height of Wave Boat controversy makes one wonder. Last fall during the height of the Northwoods Wave Boat controversy the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) ran an ad in an Oneida County paper. The ad states the industry has an $8.4 billion annual impact on Wisconsin. The ad also states that the industry supports 34,000 jobs and 840 businesses helping drive the Wisconsin economy.
Understanding that over the years the boating industry has made millions upon millions of dollars selling bass boats, pontoon boats, waterski boats, pleasure boats and supplies to Northwoods residents, one has to ask, what are they trying to tell us.
Normally this is where we would offer an opinion, but in this case, we think it best to leave it up to the public to decide what this multibillion-dollar industry is trying to tell you.
Follow up article on American Stewards of Liberty's (ASL) influence on Oneida County Comprehensive Plan construction. OCCWA has been attending recent Oneida County P&D Committee meetings addressing the 10-year update to its Comprehensive Plan. We have noticed American Stewards for Liberty concepts being added to the Natural Resources chapter. For those of you not familiar with ASL language, please refer to two Wisconsin Examiner articles below.
In recent P&D meetings the committee has been receptive to some our concerns with their proposed language that reflects less conservation protection and have gone so far as to adopt some of our suggestions. OCCWA will continue to attend future meetings and offer concerns going forward. We are grateful for the committee's consideration.
Pertaining to this point, we would like to share a June 17th Wisconsin Examiner piece by Henry Redman on Oneida County's ongoing process. After Pelican River, Oneida County officials make land use policies less conservation friendly • Wisconsin Examiner For more context you may also want to peruse Mr. Redman's initial March 7th article Anti-conservation group works to influence land use policy in three northern Wisconsin counties • Wisconsin Examiner
OCCWA will continue to supply updated information as it becomes available.
Oneida County Tourism promotes Pelican River Forest!
Pelican River Forest, where sustainable forest meets economic opportunities in tourism.
Provided below for your enjoyment, Oneida County's promotion of Pelican River Forest.
The Northwoods’ newest gem: The Pelican River State Forest - Oneida County, WI (oneidacountywi.com)
The Northwoods’ newest gem: The Pelican River State Forest
Did you know that Oneida County is the new home to one of Wisconsin’s largest-ever conservation projects? The 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest is an important wilderness area that will now be protected and open to the public for hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, and more—read on to learn more about this exciting natural asset.
What is the Pelican River Forest? Where is it located?
The Pelican River Forest consists of nearly 70,000 acres of land in Oneida, Forest, and Langlade counties. The forest is located on the eastern end of Oneida County, near the towns of Monico and Pelican Lake.
The Pelican River Forest boasts 68 miles of streams and connects the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest with the Oneida County Forest and the Langlade County Forest.
Species of trees in the forest include hard maple, oak, aspen, spruce, red pine, and jack pine, and the forest is an important source of lumber for more than a dozen mills in Oneida County and beyond.
What is the history of the Pelican River Forest?
The Conservation Fund—a Virginia-based organization that works to protect and conserve important lands and waters throughout the country—purchased the roughly 70,000-acre property in 2021. In January 2024, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced the approval of an additional conservation easement covering approximately 55,000 acres of the Pelican Forest, making it one of the largest conservation projects in Wisconsin history.
What can I do in the Pelican River Forest?
While the forest property will be privately owned, it will be open to the public for various types of outdoor recreation, including hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ATVing/UTVing and more.
What does the conservation easement do?
According to the governor’s office, the conservation easement will:
Learn more at the Friends of the Pelican River Forest website.
Learn more about the Conservation Fund’s Pelican River Forest project.
By Karl Fate July 9, 2024- Back in 2009 a group of County Board Supervisors spent three years trying to lease public lands in the Town of Lynne for a mine in a vast wetland area upstream of the Willow Flowage. The public was opposed to the proposal, and most importantly, so were the people in the local area of impact.
After the legitimate concerns of taxpayers had been disrespected for three years by the committee in charge, the Lynne Town chair informed the County that the Town would block a rezone of the area to “Manufacturing and Industrial”, a prerequisite for the construction of a mine at the site.
The County Board Chair at the time, Ted Cushing, was reported in a local newspaper saying, “If they chose to exercise those powers, then so be it. Personally, I think everyone who pays taxes in this county should have a weigh-in on this because that’s the only way you’re going to get a true cross section in terms of a correct answer (to the question of whether mining proposals should be sought).” “Cushing added that the county board could move in that direction next month by approving a public referendum on the issue.”
Ultimately, after a summer of bizarre manipulations at the Committee level, in 2012 the County Board finally listened to the owners of the property in question and squashed the leasing scheme for good.
The referendum question would have to wait for six more years, resurfacing in the wake of Tom Tiffany’s repeal of the wildly popular “Prove it First” Law. The repeal of the law was interpreted by some as a requirement that mining must take place and must be promoted regardless of what the local taxpayers thought about it. In Oneida county a Metallic Mining Ordinance was passed to promote a mining district in the County, removing several important protections including essential local controls, by allowing metallic mining as a matter of right in those zoning districts where sulfide deposits were known, including Lynne. Local concerns during public meetings and at the public hearing were disrespected and rendered moot by elected representatives Tom Tiffany, Dave Hintz, and Scott Holewinski who were all pushing a mine at Lynne.
Five days after the June 6th, 2018 “public hearing” on the new ordinance, the P&D Committee met to discuss the hearing results, but the meeting eventually turned into a discussion of the next move to push a mine when Mr. Holewinski decided to stray off the agenda and discuss leasing public property in the Town of Lynne. It was during these “off agenda” discussions that the referendum question resurfaced. Mr. Holewinski was convinced two days later to drop his proposal to lease Lynne until after the referendum results were known.
The supervisors pushing the referendum were those most rabidly pushing a mine at Lynne, and they were the same supervisors that ignored the facts on the ground year after year that was the basis for the public concerns and opposition. Had those supervisors been listening, the result would not have been surprising when more than 62% of voters rejected leasing Lynne for a mine.
Tom Tiffany, perhaps unhappy that his latest mining fantasy is floundering, has infected our county government with a radical, anti-conservation group from Texas. Perhaps Scott Holewinski thinks he can jump-start a mine by putting language from this Texas group, that is anti-conservation and promotes metallic mining in the county, into the comprehensive land-use plan.
It's ironic that some of the same supervisors that insisted on the referendum question now want to ignore the answer to the question. The people of Oneida County are the owners of the Lynne Site and they clearly do not want a mine there. Isn’t it time that our elected representatives start listening to property owners, taxpayers, and voters and start advocating for local control and the protection of our water resources?
OCCWA Reference:
Current language proposal by P&D Committee for the county's next Comprehensive Plan, Natural Resources Chapter 2, Goal #6:
Goal 6: Allow for necessary metallic mining through the County’s non-metallic mining and metallic mining exploration, bulk sampling, and mining ordinance while balancing the interest of County residents to comply with state laws.
By Kathleen Cooper June 20, 2024- Attention Oneida County Residents!
There are important changes underfoot for the Oneida County Land Use Plan. Counties in Wisconsin are required to write land use plans and to update them every ten years. The latest proposed updates from the Oneida County P&D Committee are alarming.
Under Chapter 2: Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources, Goal 6, the language in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of 2013 reads: “Encourage the USDA Forest Service to obtain their Allowable State Quantity (ASQ).” (This refers to the timber harvest from the forest land in Oneida County.)
The P&D Committee's proposed changes to Goal 6: “Allow for necessary metallic mining through the County’s non-metallic mining and metallic mining exploration, bulk sampling, and mining ordinance while balancing the interest of County residents to comply with state laws.”
This is problematic for many reasons. No metallic sulfide mine has ever been demonstrated to operate in the long term without damaging the environment in the United States or Canada. These mines destroy our land, pollute our air, and poison our water, which is our most valuable resource in Oneida County. Sulfuric acid (also known as battery acid) occurs when sulfides from the mines are exposed to oxygen and water. This deeply acidic water can leach toxic substances from the mine, including sulfates and heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury. Rainfall, runoff, and the failure of impoundments and liners can result in a toxic stew that infiltrates the groundwater and contaminates nearby lakes and streams, where it directly sickens and kills fish and other aquatic species. Metal mining also harms our health. In 2017 half of all toxic chemicals that were released or disposed into the environment originated from the metal mining industry - nearly 2 billion pounds of them, and 72 percent of toxic chemicals disposed onto land came from metal mining that year. Exposure to these toxic heavy metals can damage every organ system in the human body, including damage to the nervous system, kidney damage, bone loss, cancer, skin disorders, liver damage, gastrointestinal disorders, and developmental disorders in infants and children, to name a few. Sulfide mines also use large amounts of water, which depletes our groundwater, and has led to surrounding private wells drying up.
The economic impact to Oneida County’s tax base as a result of mining is questionable. Mining is a boom or bust industry. Due to mechanization, the mines employ far fewer people and are less likely to hire locals. Overall, about half of these mines inflict an overall negative impact on the local economy, because once the minerals are extracted, the mines are abandoned, leaving the taxpayers to clean up the environmental mess the mines have created in many instances. Recent data is unavailable, but in 1988 the cleanup costs associated with acid mine drainage for just one year reached $30 billion. In contrast, tourism, which will be threatened in the event of the establishment of sulfide mines in our area, generates more than $20 billion of economic activity a year in Wisconsin. It seems like the only ones who make money from mines are the mining companies themselves, as well as the politicians who allow them to operate.
So, my question is, do you think these proposed changes to the Oneida County Comprehensive Land Use Plan are a good idea? They are basically an open invitation to mining companies, telling them that Oneida County is open for the pollution and destruction of our land, forests, lakes, rivers, and overall health that mining will bring. If you object to these changes, please tell your county board supervisor, talk to your neighbors, and show up for Planning and Development Committee meetings, as well as Oneida County Board meetings. Please make a stand for our property values, our land, our water, our air, and our children.
Monitor ongoing P&D changes here Oneida County Comprehensive Plan 2024 | North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ncwrpc.org)
OCCWA Commentary: The concerning language change of NECESSARY METALLIC MINING may not seem monumental at first glance. Tie it in with our counties last changes to their questionable pro mining industry Mining Ordinance, and the concerns magnify.
The last change to Oneida County's Mining Ordinance added mining as a permitted activity in zones 1A Forestry and General Use. The change allows mining in almost all of the county while eliminating both Town and public input. Keep in mind that the zoning changes were not mandated by the state.
Concerns of who our local representatives are pandering to while squashing the public's ability to give input are justified and need to be monitored. In the meantime, let them know your opinion on the new Comprehensive Plan language as well as the county's Mining Ordinance.
P&D Committee email contacts:
Bob Almekinder ralmekinder@oneidacountywi.gov
Scott Holewinski sholewinski@oneidacountywi.gov
Michael Timmons mtimmons@oneidacountywi.gov
Mitchell Ives mives@oneidacountywi.gov
Dan Hess dhess@oneidacountywi.gov
By Tom Wiensch June 6, 2024- I grew up in Southern Wisconsin and never heard a loon call until I was a teenager. I remember swimming in the pea green waters of Lake Monona in Madison in the 1970’s. There are historical accounts of loons having nested on Southern Wisconsin Lakes. By the 1970’s though, there were certainly no loons spending the summer on the degraded waters of Lake Monona.
I’ll always remember hearing a loon for the first time on a summer vacation in Northern Minnesota. What animal is more of an icon of the Northwoods than the loon? Black bears? Whitetail deer? Maybe or maybe not. Loons have captured the hearts of Northwoods residents and visitors for a very long time. Their images decorate everything from paintings to sweatshirts.
Now, loon numbers are declining in Northern Wisconsin. A recent study has shown that decreasing water clarity caused by climate change is making it harder for loons to thrive. (“Climate Change-Associated Declines in Water Clarity Impair Feeding by Common Loons” Walter H. Piper, Max R. Glines & Kevin C. Rose, Journal of the Ecology Society of America, March 31, 2024; https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.4291
)
The study used satellite imagery to calculate water quality on 127 lakes in Oneida, Vilas, and Lincoln Counties from 1995 to 2021, examined weather conditions, and looked at the body mass of loons.
The conclusion of the study was that climate change is causing decreasing lake clarity which, in turn, is making it more difficult for loons, to find food. The result is that loons can’t put on the weight necessary to survive. The authors of the study stressed that decreased water clarity in July is especially tough on loon chicks, as they are too young to fly to clearer lakes to get food. Mother loons may leave to find food, but in the face of feeding difficulties likely aren’t able to find enough to feed their chicks.
In addition to working to combat climate change generally, there are a number of other things that we can do to help maintain the clear, clean lakes that have
been so loved in Northern Wisconsin, and to help loons thrive. Here are some ideas:
1. Maintain Natural Shorelines
Lakeside landowners can work to prevent runoff and soil erosion. This can be done by not clearcutting lake lots, by minimizing the creation of impervious surfaces, and by maintaining natural vegetation along lake shores. Healthy, natural vegetation slows runoff and helps prevent bank erosion and deposition of soil into lakes. Viewing corridors should be made in accordance with zoning regulations, and natural vegetation should be allowed to thrive on lake properties. This will preserve loons and will also maintain the natural beauty of shorelines.
2. Limit Wakes
Boaters can be careful to limit their wakes in near-shore areas, including areas near islands. Wisconsin law generally prohibits boaters from operating boats at speeds above “slow-no-wake” within 100 feet of any shoreline. The law also generally prohibits operators of personal watercraft from operating at speeds above “slow-no-wake” within 200 feet of shorelines. Creating wakes too close to shorelines has the potential to cause shoreline erosion and can also cause loon eggs to float out of nests. Wake boats pose a unique risk, as they are designed to create large waves/wakes. Consider whether and where to use these boats and operate them with extreme caution. In addition to causing shoreline erosion, studies and modeling have shown that wake boats have the capacity to churn up lake bottoms in at least 15’ and likely in 33’ of water. Obviously, this decreases water clarity. A number of Wisconsin towns have passed ordinances regulating wake boats, and the Wisconsin Legislature may pass a state law regulating them in the near future. Always follow the law and remember that there is nothing wrong with exercising even more caution than the law requires.
3. Avoid Nesting Areas
Respect prohibitions on landing on islands during loon nesting season, and generally avoid going on islands or other loon nesting areas from ice-out through the month of July. Nesting
time is an especially sensitive time for loons, and human presence can impair successful breeding.
4. Carefully Choose and Properly Discard Fishing Tackle
Loons have been found to have been poisoned by ingesting sinkers and lead jigs. Tin sinkers are now readily available. Non-lead jigs are not so easy to find, but hopefully that will change. Please consider non-lead options. Also, please dispose of old fishing line properly. I was recently teaching a great-nephew to fish on a lake in another state. We didn’t catch anything out of the murky lake water, but I did find and pick up several balls of snarled fish line that had been left on the ground. Loons and other birds and animals can become hopelessly entangled in discarded line. Please dispose of used tackle properly.
The clean lakes of Northern Wisconsin, and the beautiful loons that grace the waters are not something to be taken for granted. Many lakes in many parts of the country carry a heavy load of sediments and nutrients that are unappealing and can’t support loons. The lakes of the Northwoods are really something special. With some reasonable action, we can work to maintain the lakes, and the loons for generations to come.
OCCWA Note: (See photo) Loon Rescue Loon rescue | Facebook is a phenomenal group headed by Kevin and Linda Grentzer. They in concert with Marge Gibson's Raptor Education Group INC. Raptor Education Group, Inc. do a fantastic and unheralded job of rescuing loons as well as other Northwoods birds. Give their sites a gander!
From Loon Rescue Facebook page- " Loon rescue is about saving the world one loon at a time. We do many loon rescues ourselves, and we can also recommend techniques to guide you through a loon rescue. Call 715-966-5415 or 715-453-4916"
By Eric Rempala June 4th, 2024- To be sure the DNR has been quite busy addressing PFAS across the state. When they last met with Oneida County residents (See our May 2nd post) they were unable to address all of OCCWA's and residents pre-submitted questions. To that point the DNR has most graciously answered those questions and provided answers by email, which we share with you below. Reviewing these questions, we hope, will give a much more complete picture of where the PFAS issue in Stella stands.
Once again, we have to compliment the DNR for their timely and professional response.
1) Has there been any determination on which biosolid is most likely for the contamination, municipal wastewater treatment plant or Industrial?
No, not at this time. The DNR has not determined the source(s) of the contamination.
2) Are there any plans of testing soil in the Stella area?
The DNR is currently working on a plan to collect limited soil samples from fields in the Stella area where land spreading occurred, as well as deeper soil samples to assist in understanding the migration of PFAS. This work will be conducted under an EPA Site Inspection plan which gathers information for the EPA Superfund scoring process. The sampling will take place in late summer or the fall of 2024.
3) Any thoughts on soil remediation, such as soil replacement or phytoremediation?
It is too early in the process to determine a remedy for soil contamination. The degree and extent of soil contamination needs to be assessed prior to determining a remedial action approach for soil.
4) Is there any consideration for providing a one source community well?
A community drinking water system sourced by its own groundwater source(s) or connected to an existing community water system could be a potential solution. The feasibility of this as an option would depend on a variety of factors such as engineering viability, cost, and public will. For this option to be viable, a municipal entity would be the primary entity to propose, construct and manage ongoing operation, maintenance, and overall future fiscal responsibility. Currently the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can provide some funding for the potential development of community water system in rural PFAS impacted areas.
Since Stella already has exceptionally high PFAS levels, is there any consideration to banning biosolid spreading that has any PFAS content?
5) No, not at this time. There are no current federal or state standards regulating PFAS concentrations in biosolids or industrial sludge. The department has developed an Interim strategy for land application of biosolids and industrial sludges containing PFAS PFAS_BiosolidsInterimStrategy.pdf (wisconsin.gov) to assist facilities in making decisions on handling biosolids and industrial sludge.
6) Does the DNR have the pre-1996 paper records of certified spreading in Oneida County?
No, the department does not have these records.
7) Is there any plan to offer free well testing to areas that may be suspected due to biosolid spreading records evaluation?
The DNR continues to seek and request additional resources to potentially expand PFAS sampling for those who may be impacted. The DNR submitted a 13.10 request to the State Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee that would allow the DNR to access the $125 million PFAS Trust Fund. If granted access, the DNR would distribute funding to counties and local communities to support sampling efforts in impacted and potentially impacted communities across Wisconsin.
8) Can surface water testing be effective in identifying hot spots in county if there is a lack of volunteered well testing options?
Surface water testing can sometimes be used to identify potential areas of contamination, but not always. Typically, surface water testing is combined with other lines of evidence (groundwater sampling, soil sampling and historical land use information) to identify areas or potential areas of contamination. Generally, groundwater flows into surface water, so if results from a lake surface water test come back high, that could be indicative of a hot spot. A low result from the lake surface water test, however, would not necessarily mean wells in the area are safe. Groundwater flow paths due to varying geology can be complicated, and it should not be assumed groundwater flows in the direction towards the closest waterbody. The DNR is aware of several sites in the state where wells are contaminated, but nearby surface water concentrations of PFAS are low since the groundwater is not flowing in the direction of the nearest surface water.
9)Would DNR consider offering free PFAS testing to Oneida County Lake Associations? No, not at this time. The DNR has sampled waterbodies throughout the area at sites that we have determined to be high priority. Additional sampling will occur in 2024. The information gained through this sampling will help to define and determine the extent of the area of contamination in surface water.
10) Have all Oneida County municipal WWTP's had their sludge tested for PFAS?
No. PFAS sampling is included in Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permits as they are reissued. It may take up to 5 years for all facilities in Oneida County to have PFAS sampling requirements for sludge included in their permits.
11) Does the DNR have an opinion on the recent Oneida County PFAS Resolution?
The DNR continues to utilize a public health-led approach to address PFAS in Wisconsin, which includes gathering and sharing information about PFAS presence in drinking water. The DNR has been made aware of several counties that have conducted outreach to private well owners to inform and/or encourage sampling, and in some cases has provided access to free or subsidized sampling and analysis.
(12) When contamination impacts a community, it requires coordination and cooperation across units of government to help mitigate the risk to human health and the environment. The DNR submitted a 13.10 request to the Joint Finance Committee that would allow the DNR to access the $125 million PFAS Trust Fund. If granted access, the DNR would distribute funding to counties and local communities to conduct sampling, disrupt exposures and begin to work on mitigation.
13) Also is there any consideration to speeding up the process to stop any excessive PFAS biosolid spreading sooner?
It is unclear what process is being referred to. The department will update the Interim Strategy as new information becomes available. EPA is currently conducting a Risk Assessment related to PFAS in biosolids. EPA uses Risk Assessments to characterize the nature and magnitude of health risks to humans and ecological receptors (e.g., plants and animals) from chemical contaminants and other stressors. The EPA is scheduled to complete the Risk Assessment for PFAS in biosolids at the end of 2024.
14) Are permits still being issued for sludge/sewerage dumping?
Land application of municipal biosolids, industrial sludge and septage is still allowed in accordance with Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permits and septage licenses.
15) How long are sludge/sewerage permits good for? Can these permit time lengths be shortened?
Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permits are issued for 5 years. There are procedures in code for revoking and reissuing or modifying permits. Shorter permit terms are also allowable under code. Who monitors sludge/sewerage dumping and how often? Facilities are required to monitor and self-report to the Department. Reporting is done on an annual basis
16). Can contaminated soil be treated?
Current treatment options for PFAS are mostly limited to situations when PFAS is in water. Groundwater that is in contact with soils can be treated for PFAS. If unsaturated soils contain PFAS contamination, these soils can be excavated and disposed at a licensed landfill or, in some situations, the excavated soil is incinerated.
17) Can contaminated stream/lake water be treated?
Contaminated water can be treated to remove PFAS; however, in most situations, the water must be captured and run through an engineered treatment system. Thus, the size of the water body, flowrate of the stream and how the stream or lake are connected to groundwater will influence how effective treatment will be at improving water quality in the lake or stream. Treating surface water is more applicable in small defined areas like a localized spill with a very small defined outflow that can be handled by a granular activated carbon (GAC) bed. This would likely not be a practical approach for large waterbodies, rivers, and extensive areas of contamination.
By Kathleen Cooper May 23, 2024- Governor Evers came to the Northwoods on Wednesday, May 22 to enjoy the beauty of the Pelican River Forest by hiking the logging roads with a group of supporters of the Pelican River Forest. This land constitutes the largest conservation acquisition in the history of the State of Wisconsin, with 70,000 contiguous acres now protected by conservation easements. This land is privately owned and remains a working forest that is available for logging and recreation for perpetuity. As Governor Evers said, “This is something that will last forever. There are very few times that the legislature, Governor, anybody can say that. These folks can.”
As they hiked, various participants spoke about how this historical conservation effort came about. Ron James talked about the Water Walk that took place in March 2020, sponsored by the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe, when the land was facing exploratory drilling by Badger Minerals. He said that they had tied prayer ties to the trees, offering prayers for the land. When he came back a couple of weeks later, the trees had been clear cut and the ties were lying in the mud in preparation for the drilling. Badger Minerals later announced that it was not going to pursue further mining exploration in that area in September 2020 after completing exploratory drilling months before. Tina Van Zile, of the Sokaogon Chippewa community, spoke about the power of the prayers that had been offered for the land four years ago. She quoted Fran Van Zile, an elder of the Sokaogon Chippewa community, “They (the prayers) do (have power). You know, there’s power in that. We believe that, and so look at where we’re at today.”
Tina went on to speak of the kinship that the Indigenous people feel for the land and its inhabitants-the trees, the wildlife, and the plant species. She spoke of our sacred connections to each other and the land, connections that are often forgotten in our modern busy lives. The hushed silence of the others after she spoke seemed to be a tacit agreement that acknowledged the truth and power in her words.
Charles Carlin from Gathering Waters spoke about the people from different types of groups-hikers, ATV enthusiasts, hunters, fishermen, snowmobilers, and others-who came together to make this acquisition a reality.
Eric Rempala spoke of the efforts of the people in attendance and others who worked to make the purchase of the conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest a reality. He also urged the group to work towards making this forest the working forest it is intended to be, so that the financial benefits to the counties would outweigh any hesitancy in future conservation efforts.
Ron Gropp, the Forest Legacy Program manager for the Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry said that the DNR would ensure that the terms and conditions of the easement are being met, and that the conservation values that are protected by the easement were being protected.
As we basked in the knowledge that we were all a part of making the Pelican River Forest conservation easements become a reality, the forest seemed to agree, by displaying its exceptional beauty. The trees and vegetation were shimmering with water droplets after the heavy rain of the night before, and the creeks were swollen with fast running, clean water. Even the mosquitoes gave us a break, due to the winds blowing all around us. In spite of our differences, we all recognized each other as brothers and sisters, friends of the forest. As Governor Evers stated in his State of the State address in January, “This is a big deal, folks.” Indeed, it is.
Many thanks to Governor Evers, who, after the Joint Finance Committee had withheld the funds to purchase these conservation easements, secured federal funding to purchase them. His legacy will live on to be enjoyed by our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thanks also to all the people in the Northwoods and beyond who helped to make the Pelican River Forest conservation easements a reality.
WXPR Katie Thoresen coverage https://www.wxpr.org/podcast/wxpr-the-stream/2024-05-23/supporters-gather-to-celebrate-pelican-river-forest-conservation
Submitted by Newbold Lake Enhanced Wakes Committee May 14, 2024- NEWBOLD ENACTS ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ENHANCED WAKES ON ALL TOWN LAKES
In May 2024, the Newbold Town Board voted unanimously to prohibit generating enhanced wakes on all town lakes and border lakes that have at least 60% of their shoreline in Newbold, thereby giving the town jurisdiction to pass a boating ordinance for those waters.
However, the concern over enhanced wakes began much earlier. In July of 2023, Two Sisters Lake Property Owners Association tasked a team from Two Sisters Lake to work with the town and other groups to seek a local ordinance after many members had become increasingly alarmed about both the ecological damage and safety risks of enhanced wake activity such as wake surfing. Concerned citizens from Lake Mildred, Tom Doyle Lake and big Pickerel Lake soon joined the effort, forming the ad hoc Newbold Lake Enhanced Wakes Committee (NLEWC).
The ad hoc committee crafted a proposed ordinance and condition report on why the law was needed based on credible research and residents’ input. Among the concerns outlined were the transfer of aquatic invasive species (AIS) among lakes as the ballasts of these boats cannot be completely drained or inspected, the irreversible damage to shorelines and damage to docks, moored boats, and other personal property, and the scouring of lake bottom vegetation and fish spawning beds. Additionally, lake users frequently stated that they were unable to safely use the lakes while enhanced wake sports were underway.
The draft materials were submitted to the Newbold Town Board in January, with the board deliberating and refining before sending to the WDNR for required review. After discussions at a few additional town board meetings, a public hearing was held April 6, 2024. Approximately 100 people attended with the vast majority speaking or by show of hand indicating their support for the ordinance. Only four individuals spoke in opposition.
On May 9, 2024, the Newbold Town Board voted 5-0 to enact the ordinance banning the creation of enhanced wakes. The ordinance prohibits the use of ballast tanks and similar devices used to generate enhanced wakes; and prohibits operating a boat in a bow-high manner to enhance wakes. The ordinance does not restrict activities like water skiing, tubing, wake boarding with a tow rope or even the use of wake boats, so long as they do not use ballast tanks, ballast bags or wake enhancing fins.
This ordinance is an excellent example of good local government recognizing the importance of listening to and working with constituents to protect public safety and preserve vital natural resources.
By state statute, towns and other local governments in Wisconsin have the right to create such an ordinance. Approximately 20 towns have now done so and many more are in development. Even if the legislature would eventually regulate enhanced wakes, it will merely set minimum statewide standards that will fail to protect our lakes. So, it is essential that local governments retain the right to establish protections beyond state minimums. This is especially critical in the Northwoods, where our pristine lakes are cornerstones of the local economy and quality of life.
OCCWA Note: See our May 10 post below for how your town can get a presentation as well as FREE assistance in constructing a similar ordinance for your lakes.
ENHANCED WAKES FROM WAKE SURF BOATS—HELP IS AVAILABLE TO PROTECT YOUR LAKES! By Last Wilderness Alliance May 10, 2024-
You may have noticed recent reports in local papers regarding Oneida and Vilas towns acting to protect their lakes from the very large waves from wake surfing. On May 9, Newbold passed an ordinance prohibiting enhanced wakes on all its 22 lakes over 50 acres. On May 8 Lake Tomahawk passed a proposal to begin the process and has already submitted a draft ordinance to the DNR for review. Winchester in Vilas Co. has also passed such an ordinance and three more Vilas towns have ordinances through the DNR review process and ready for action by their town boards in coming weeks.
Wake surfing is a quite new sport and has expanded rapidly the last ten years in Wisconsin, particularly in the southern part of the state. In wake surfing, a special boat designed to take on up to 5000 lbs of ballast water plows the water at transition speed in a strongly stern down manner, making a wake up to 4 feet high. This wake is big enough to allow surfing without a tow rope, just like surfing an ocean wave.
Wake surfing creates a host of problems, particularly on our northern glacial lakes, which are almost all too small and too shallow for the sport. The giant waves travel long distances across the lake creating great problems for anglers, water skiers, and all smaller boats. According to the industry’s own data, the waves a full 300’ from the surfer are still 13” high… this is higher than the freeboard of most small fishing boats. Many smaller boats must simply leave the lake when a wake surf boat chooses to operate.
Environmental damage can be severe. Shoreline is ripped up unless the lake is very large and the boats to operate far from shore. Lake bottom is jetted by the downward prop wash of these strongly stern-down boats with up to 600HP engines, throwing sediment into the water column and ripping up aquatic vegetation unless the boats always operate in very deep water.
The introduction of invasives is a particular problem. The ballast tanks cannot be fully emptied—when the boats travel between lakes they transfer up to 20 gallons of water. There is no good cure for this, as local boat dealers do not offer services to sterilize ballast tanks. And even if they did, there is no good way to ensure wake surfers did sterilize their ballast tanks between lakes. To make matters worse, all the wake boat manufacturers require that boat owners add up to two gallons of antifreeze to each ballast tank before overwintering. With some of these boats having five ballast tanks, that is a lot of antifreeze going right into our lakes when the boats are first used each year.
For those towns wishing to protect their lakes, help is available free of charge. A local nonprofit group, The Last Wilderness Alliance, provides free services to towns to explore and establish an ordinance. They assist in drafting an ordinance appropriate to the town and to secure the necessary DNR review and endorsement. They have assisted many towns across Wisconsin, always working at no charge. More information is available on their website LastWildernessAlliance.org. A link on that site allows anyone wishing to explore an ordinance to be in touch and learn more about the process for securing an ordinance.
A representative of the Last Wilderness Alliance, Richard Phillips, says-- “We are happy to assist any Wisconsin town in developing a wake surfing ordinance and getting it placed into law. Wisconsin is one of the few states that allows towns to pass ordinances controlling boating on their lakes. We encourage all towns with lakes that may receive wake surf boat use to consider passing a law to protect their lakes. We have considerable experience, having helped many towns enact ordinances … and we work for free.” The organization may be contacted through a link at this site https://lastwildernessalliance.org/contact
By Kathleen Cooper May 9, 2024- Lake Julia has a salt problem, that is, runoff from salt that is spread on roads over the winter that drains into the lake. Chloride levels, a component of salt, have been rising in Lake Julia since testing began in 2018. From May 2018 to May 2022 the levels have risen from 31.2 mg/L (milligrams per liter) to 37.8 mg/L. When levels get up to 50 mg/L, zooplankton and macroinvertebrate numbers begin to decline. These organisms are essential for the lake food chain, and when their numbers fall, fish and wildlife numbers also fall. Other lakes are affected, but Lake Julia has the highest chloride levels in Oneida County. This is also a problem in southern Wisconsin, with Lake Mendota and even the Mississippi River registering elevated chloride levels.
There have been several environmental heroes in Oneida County working to solve the Lake Julia problem, including Bob and Sue Thome, Supervisor Linnaea Newman, the Lake Julia Lake Association, and Michele Sadauskas. Bob Thome began the process by identifying where the chloride was coming from, much of it from the Crescent School parking lot where runoff flows from the school to a roadside ditch on Boyce Road, under Boyce Road, and directly into Lake Julia.
Mr. Thome then brought the DNR, Zoning, the Lakes and Watershed Commission, Musson’s, and the School Board together. At this meeting they developed a plan, approved by the DNR, to build a retention basin (See Photo) to capture salt runoff from Crescent School before it could flow into Lake Julia. The water would then percolate through the sandy soil. The basin was dug in November, with no erosion measure put in place. With the spring thaw and the rain, we have received, the basin is now silted in, and erosion threatens the new asphalt parking lot at Crescent School.
Supervisor Newman was notified of this by a resident of Lake Julia, and she notified Michele Sadauskas, Rob Jensen and Debbie Condado (county board supervisors from Crescent and Pelican). A video of the damage was distributed, resulting in the DNR issuing a statement to Musson’s and the School Board requesting that they clean out the basin, recontour the slopes, and plant temporary cover seed to stabilize the slopes until the actual planting is done. Further, they were reminded by the DNR that any time soil is excavated/contoured and left for 14 or more days, a temporary seeding or cover should be in place to prevent erosion and runoff.
Even though the DNR request has been sent, which is good news, the work has not yet begun, although now there is now hope that it will be. This is yet another example of what a group of concerned citizens who, instead of throwing up their hands and walking away, can do to tackle environmental problems. If it were left as is, Lake Julia would rapidly be approaching the point where the food chain in the lake would begin to fail, with catastrophic results for lake habitat, fishing, and wildlife populations. Even the loons would be silenced, since their food sources would be compromised. Many thanks to all who made this happen. We at OCCWA will monitor the situation until the work recommended by the DNR is completed
*Update* By Tom Wiensch May 5, 2024-
2024 Conservation Congress Spring Hearing Results
The 2024 public hearings of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress took place in April this year. Citizens of Wisconsin and other states were able to vote in person or on-line. In addition to many questions specific to fishing and hunting, this year’s slate of questions included several on issues not only tied to those sports. Those included questions on wake boats, PFAS, aquatic pesticides, lead ammunition and tackle, mowing of rights of way and accessing state lands through railroad tracks and rights of way. A breakdown of the numbers voting for and against selected questions have been added in BOLD to our April 5th post below. For numbers of people who did not vote on those questions, and for the voting results on other questions, please visit this site: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/About/WCC/2024/SpringHearing/2024_StatewideResults_FINAL.pdf
Note: *Voting Results* have been entered in bold to the original questions covered in our April 5th post below.
By Tom Wiensch April 5, 2024- Since 1934, Wisconsin citizens have had the opportunity to voice their preferences on conservation issues. That opportunity comes in the form of the annual spring hearings of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) Wisconsin Conservation Congress | Our Mission | Wisconsin DNR . Although some think of the hearings as being of interest only to hunters and anglers, nothing could be further from the truth. All citizens have a right to vote on conservation issues, and the issues on the ballot are not limited to hunting and fishing issues.
The spring hearings afford the public the chance to vote on two types of conservation questions – Advisory questions posed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and citizen authored questions presented by the WCC. Citizens may vote on the Spring Hearing Questions either by attending in-person hearings on April 8, or by voting on-line between noon on April 10th and noon on April 13th. Citizens also have the right to present questions to be voted on at the Spring Hearings, although that needs to be done in February of each year. For more information on voting dates, times, and places, please see Eric Rempala’s article dated April 4.
This year’s ballot 2024 Spring Hearing Online Public Input Form Survey (surveymonkey.com) contains many hunting and fishing related questions, which certainly may be of interest to many OCCWA readers, but it also contains a number of questions that relate to our environment more generally. These questions relate to wake boats, PFAS, aquatic herbicide use, toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle, mowing of habitat under powerlines, access to public lands, and more. Please consider taking a few minutes to voice your opinion on these important issues. The following is a summary of some of those questions.
1. LIMITING THE GENERATION OF MAGNIFIED BOAT WAKES – BALLOT QUESTIONS #43
*Voter Totals* YES- 10,895 NO- 3,804 WI YES- 10,274 WI NO- 3,363
This question asks: “Would you support the WCC and legislature modifying existing statutes to prohibit generation of intentionally magnified wakes for wake surfing through the use of ballast, design features, operational procedures or any other means on lakes smaller than 1500 acres and less than 20 feet deep and maintain a distance from shore and other lake users of 700 feet?”
The explanation with this question notes:
Ø Wake surfing involves specially equipped boats that create ocean- like waves so that people can surf behind the boats without ropes.
Ø Wake surfing is rapidly becoming more common in Wisconsin.
Ø Wake boats are often operated in a way that creates visibility problems for operators.
Ø Wake boating creates safety hazards for other lake users.
Ø Wake boating damages personal property.
Ø Wake boating damages the environment by churning up lakebeds, creating murky water, destroying aquatic vegetation, destroying fish spawning beds, causing or enhancing algae blooms, swamping loon nests, eroding shorelines, forcing warm water into cool thermoclines, and transferring aquatic invasive species (AIS.)
Ø Degradation of lakes will harm local economies.
2. PROHIBITION OF WAKE BOAT BALLAST SYSTEMS – BALLOT QUESTION #32
*Voter Results* YES- 10,608 NO- 4,193 WI YES- 10,002 WI NO 3,715
This question asks: “Would you support the WCC and legislature creating a new statute that prohibits the use of wake boat ballast systems on Wisconsin's lakes and rivers?”
The explanation with the question notes:
Ø Ship ballast dumping in the great lakes has spread AIS.
Ø Current regulations require that all ballast from all boats be emptied before leaving boat landings.
Ø Wake boat ballast systems are designed in such a way that all ballast water cannot be readily emptied from them, as evidenced by wake boat owners’ manuals which recommend adding anti-freeze to ballast systems in winter.
Ø A University of Wisconsin Study showed that wake boat ballast systems contain, on average, 8 gallons of water after being “emptied.”
Ø Water in wake boat ballast systems can transport AIS including zebra mussels, spiny water fleas and fish diseases.
Ø Wake boats can be used without filling their ballast tanks.
3. REQUIRING INSPECTABLE BOAT BALLAST SYSTEMS – BALLOT QUESTION #42.
*Voter Results* YES- 10,016 NO- 4,228 WI YES- 9,448 WI NO- 3,777
This question asks: “Would you support regulations by DNR to require that all ballast systems used in boats shall have a reasonable practical means of inspecting the system to confirm that no water is retained in the system (tanks, piping, valves, etc.)?
The explanation with the question notes:
Ø Ballast systems which can contain hundreds of gallons of water are used to artificially enhance wakes.
Ø Section NR 19.055(1) of the Wisconsin Administrative code requires that all ballast systems be emptied of water immediately upon leaving any waterbody.
Ø Failing to completely empty ballast systems creates a risk of spreading AIS.
Ø Most boat ballast systems as currently designed cannot be easily emptied of all water.
Ø DNR staff have stated that most boat ballast systems cannot be readily inspected, making enforcement of NR19.055(1) impossible.
4. PROTECTIVE LIMITATIONS ON PFAS COMPOUNDS – BALLOT QUESTION #33
*Voter Results* YES- 10,541 NO- 1,379 WI YES- 9,947 WI NO- 1,274
This question asks: “Should the Legislature, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Health develop and enact protective limitations on PFAS compounds for acute and chronic toxicity in surface water, wildlife health, groundwater, fish consumption, and human health?
The explanation with the question notes:
Ø PFAS are a class of more than 4,000 chemicals that accumulate in the human body in never decreasing amounts, and 98% of Americans have measurable levels of PFAS in their bodies.
Ø According to the EPA, PFAS cause developmental problems in fetuses and infants, certain kinds of cancer, reduced antibody response, decreased immune response to vaccinations, and kidney disease.
Ø PFAS makes its way into our bodies from a number of sources, including consumer and industrial products, sludge spread on farm fields, and freshwater fish that we eat.
5. PROHIBITION OF THE HERBICIDE 2,4D IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS – BALLOT QUESTION #34.
*Voter Results* YES- 10,199 NO- 1,832 WI YES- 9,600 WI NO- 1,714
This question asks: “Do you support the elimination of the use of herbicide, 2,4D in aquatic ecosystems in the state of
Wisconsin?”
The explanation with this question notes:
Ø For decades, 2,4D has been unsuccessfully used to try to eliminate non-native aquatic plants.
Ø A study in Forest County has demonstrated that this has caused harm to native plants and animals.
Ø 2,4D negatively affects fish reproduction, significantly reduces zooplankton that young fish feed on, and has completely eliminated bluegill and crappies from one lake.
6. PHASING OUT LEAD AMMUNITION BY 2030 – BALLOT QUESTION #29
*Voter Results* YES- 6,251 NO- 7,152 WI YES- 5,815 WI NO- 6,795
This question asks: “Would you support eliminating lead, statewide, from firearm ammunition used for hunting by 2030?”
The explanation with this question notes:
Ø Lead is toxic to animals.
Ø When used as ammunition, lead can end up in entrails scavenged by animals such as eagles and can end up in meat consumed by humans.
Ø Some lead ammunition is already prohibited for waterfowl hunting and for hunting all game in some places.
Ø Alternatives to lead exist but are currently more expensive than lead.
Ø Creating a phase-out timeline would allow suppliers and retailers to adapt.
7. INFORMATION ON LEAD IN HUNTING AND FISHING MATERIALS - BALLOT QUESTION #28
*Voter Results* YES- 9,407 No- 3,050 WI YES- 8,857 WI NO- 2,893
This question asks: “Do you support DNR including information on lead alternatives and the impact that lead ammunition and fishing tackle have on our ecosystems and public health in hunter education courses and hunting and fishing regulation materials?”
The explanation with this question notes:
Ø Lead has been shown to have environmental risks to wildlife and the public.
Ø Lead alternatives are becoming more available.
Ø Providing information to hunters and anglers will help them make informed choices.
8. URGING POWERLINE COMPANIES TO NOT LOW MOW GRASSES DURING SUMMER – BALLOT QUESTION #39
*Voter Results* YES- 9,240 NO- 2,010 WI YES- 8,727 WI NO- 1,883
This question asks: “Would you support that (sic) the Wisconsin Conservation Congress advising the Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau to request powerline companies refrain from mowing during the summer months and encourage powerline companies to work with private landowners to manage powerline vegetation that provides habitat for insects and wildlife?”
The explanation with this question notes:
Ø Companies and cooperatives mow low vegetation under powerlines during animal nesting season destroying wildlife habitat.
Ø Some mow all vegetation including native prairie plants, milkweed, hazel, and dogwood.
Ø Milkweed is required by monarch butterflies, as it is the only food that monarch caterpillars eat.
Ø The International Union for the Conservation of Nature considers monarchs to be endangered, and the USF&WS considers them a candidate for endangered species listing.
Ø Mid-summer mowing destroys plants and monarch eggs.
Ø Native vegetation under powerlines provides nesting habitat for turkeys and late-nesting songbirds and shade for amphibians.
Ø There are thousands of miles of powerlines in Wisconsin.
9. RESTORE LEGAL RAILROAD CROSSING TO ACCESS STATE LANDS AND WATERS – BALLOT QUESTION #37
*Voter Results* YES- 11,710 NO- 622 WI YES- 11,118 WI NO- 604
This question asks: “Would you support the Wisconsin Conservation Congress assertively working with Wisconsin State Legislators to reinstate SS 192.32 (1) (c) which allows the public to safely and legally walk directly across railroad tracks/right of way for purposes of accessing state lands and waters?
The explanation with this question notes:
Ø A 2005 law made it illegal for people in Wisconsin to cross railroad tracks to access state lands and waters.
Ø For over 100 years prior to 2005, people accessed state lands and waters by legally and safely crossing railroad tracks.
Ø The 2005 law has made 121 state properties and many federal lands mostly inaccessible.
Ø Many groups have worked to change the 2005 law.
By Eric Rempala May 2, 2024- OCCWA attended the May 1st combined Wisconsin DHS and DNR presentation hosted by Oneida County's Department of Health. The presentation covered recent PFAS developments in the town of Stella and included a public Q&A session. The meeting took place at Rhinelander's James Williams Middle School rather than Stella Town Hall due crowding concerns. Attendance at the presentation was estimated at 100 attendees of which most were Stella residents.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services led off the presentation with general information of what PFAS are and the health hazards that ingesting them can cause. The DHS emphasized ingestion was main culprit of PFAS accumulation in the body. The DHS dismissed concerns about PFAS entering the body through skin absorption. Stella specific handouts and a link p03610.pdf (wisconsin.gov) for more information and contacts were shared. Guidance for drinking water, fish consumption, gardening, and surface water recreation, were included in both.
Next up was the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A good portion of the DNR's time was spent sharing promising results from recent well drilling in Stella. The new deeper wells have been testing clean or at a low enough level where filtering is effective. Multiple property owners have drilled new deeper wells using the DNR recommended method.
The recommended method uses the pouring of a concrete 20 ft plug at the top of the bedrock layer which helps separate the lower bedrock aquifer from the upper ground gravel/sand aquifer. The reason being is that ground aquifers have higher PFAS levels, and you don't want them to contaminate the cleaner bedrock aquifers below.
The DNR also revealed that they are expanding the Stella free testing circle to 3 miles. Property owners in the expanded area should look for a DNR offer letter to arrive by June. If an owner chooses to accept the free testing, they can receive a test kit from the DNR's Rhinelander Service Center by presenting their letter. The Service Center address is 107 Sutliff Ave.
Also addressed were multiple questions from Stella residents asking if the septage spreading around Starks is a factor contributing to the PFAS problem. The DNR representative dismissed that concern stating that septage pumped from a homeowner's septic tank would not have severe PFAS contamination as might biosolid/sludge from an industrial site or wastewater treatment plan.
The DNR briefly discussed their Superfund Preliminary Assessment application (See our February 16 post). Federal Superfund designation would bring federal tax dollar assistance to help address the contamination. By no means is the application a guarantee that the Superfund designation would be applied, but the Stella contamination level may well score high to qualify. This application process and designation would most likely take years to finalize.
There was also discussion on whether the DNR certified biosolid spreading records in Oneida County could help lead to discovering other potential PFAS contamination in county. Stella is not the only town biosolids were spread in Oneida County. The problem with using the records is that since PFAS was not determined to be hazardous when the applications were made, it will be difficult now to determine which applications actually had high PFAS contamination. To address this issue the DNR is sending questionnaire letters to all past biosolid spreading entities asking detailed questions as to what products they used and when, to try and determine which applications would be a concern. This is no small endeavor and will take an undetermined amount of time.
The DNR had no less than six or seven representatives on hand for this presentation. Representatives were from Oneida County as well as Madison. We at OCCWA have the highest regard for the DNR's commitment and the work they have done so far. They have been professional and extremely helpful in all our groups interactions. We would ask residents of Oneida County to consider the difficult process that lies ahead. During the meeting, the statement was made that this "will be a long slog". There will be many years of investigation and remediation before we can put this issue behind us.
The DNR representatives emphasized they are available to answer any and all citizens concerns. To that point, a specific Stella Questions phone number has been established 888 626-0605 along with a specific email address Dnrstellapfas@wisconsin.gov We were told these contacts will be monitored daily.
OCCWA would like to acknowledge the Oneida County Health Department for the tremendous job they did in relocating the presentation site and facilitating the meeting. As for local government, Oneida County supervisors attending the presentation were Lenore Lopez, Steven Schreier, and Collette Sorgel. Sadly, no State Legislators were in attendance to our knowledge.
Must Read WXPR Coverage
Once again Katie Thoresen hits it out of the park with her coverage! I can't emphasize enough how valuable Katie and WXPR are to this community. DNR: Initial new well installations look to be successful in treating PFAS contamination in Stella | WXPR
Helpful Links
Oneida County Health Department presentation link Water Quality – Oneida County Public Health Department (oneidacountywi.gov)
American Rescue Plan Act well replacement flyer ARPAFlier.pdf (wisconsin.gov)
Wisconsin Department of Health Services PFAS link Chemicals: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources PFAS Contamination in the Town of Stella | | Wisconsin DNR
By Tom Wiensch April 25, 2024- This spring the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that a new aquatic invasive species (AIS) has been found in Wisconsin. The microscopic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis was confirmed to be present in Elton Creek in Langlade County. Elton Creek is a Class I trout stream that feeds the Evergreen River, which in turn feeds the Wolf River.
The DNR reports that the parasite has been found both in Elton Creek proper, and in a private fish hatchery on that stream. It is unclear what the source of the parasite was. The DNR reports that it may be spread by people depositing live or dead fish in streams, or moving tubifex worms, mud, aquatic plants, or even water from one waterbody to another.
Myxobolus cerebralis is infamous for having caused whirling disease in many rivers and streams in the Rocky Mountains and elsewhere. Whirling disease causes spinal and other deformities in young trout, causing them to swim in an abnormal “whirling” pattern. The disease has a fatality rate of up to 90%. Whirling disease has lowered populations of rainbow trout in some Rocky Mountain streams by 90%. The Wisconsin DNR reports that rainbow trout and brook trout are thought to be the trout species most susceptible to whirling disease.
Wisconsin has native brook trout and lake trout, and self-sustaining populations of non-native brown and rainbow trout. Brown trout are native only to Eurasia, and rainbow trout are native only to Pacific Ocean tributaries.
While not being native, brown and rainbow trout have created popular fisheries in Wisconsin, in some cases in streams that are no longer suitable for native brook trout. Popular brown trout streams exist in much of Wisconsin, particularly in the Driftless Area, Central Sands Region, and the Northwoods. Self-sustaining populations of stream-resident rainbow trout occur in only a handful of streams in Wisconsin. Wild steelhead (migratory rainbow trout) though, occur in many tributaries to Lake Superior. Native brook trout are the most common trout species in the Northwoods, and they also occur in many other areas of the State, including the Driftless Area and the Central Sands Region.
Whirling disease was first reported in non-native rainbow trout in Germany in 1893. The disease seems to be less damaging to brown trout, likely because they evolved with the parasite. The parasite made its way to America by at least 1956 when it was found in Pennsylvania. It has since spread to a number of other states.
At first whirling disease was believed to only be a problem in fish hatcheries. Then, in the 1990’s, it began decimating rainbow trout populations in such famous western trout rivers as Montana’s Madison and Colorado’s Gunnison. The Wisconsin DNR reports that, for some reason, some states that have the parasite have not experienced whirling disease and the fish population declines that come with it.
It is unclear what effect this new invasive species will have in Wisconsin. Will it decimate our native brook trout or our nativized rainbows and steelhead? If we aren’t careful, time may tell.
Anglers and other river users are encouraged to avoid spreading the disease by wearing rubber rather than felt soled boots, and by thoroughly cleaning boots, waders, and boats etc. after leaving a river or stream to avoid moving mud, tubifex worms, or plant material to other waterbodies. Of course, neither live nor dead fish, nor water should be moved from one water body to another.
In addition to helping to prevent the spread of whirling disease, the cleaning of equipment can help prevent the spread of other stream-inhabiting invasive species, such as New Zealand mud Snails, which have been found in Black Earth Creek in Dane County as well as Superior’s Duluth-Superior Harbor and the Waukegan Harbor of Lake Michigan in Illinois. Cleaning equipment can also help avoid the spread of Didymosphenia geminate, commonly known as “Didymo” or “Rock Snot.” Didymo has been found in Lake Superior for decades, and in 2021 was found in seven Minnesota tributaries of Lake Superior. Like whirling disease, these invasives could have devastating effects on Wisconsin’s streams and rivers and their fish populations.
Of course, anglers and others using lakes should be equally cautious in order to avoid transporting AIS from one body of water to another. In addition to the whirling disease parasite, New Zealand mud snails, and didymo, many other invasive species have been spread to Wisconsin’s waters.
Other invasive aquatic plants and animals in Wisconsin include Eurasian water milfoil, zebra mussels, quagga mussels, rusty crayfish, red swamp crayfish, four species of carp, and many more.
The waters of Wisconsin belong to all of us. Many of us have seen the damage done to beautiful lakes that are now infested with enormous mats of Eurasian water milfoil. Please do the best you can to avoid transporting the whirling disease parasite and other AIS to any of our waters. In the case of the whirling disease parasite, once it is in a body of water it may be there forever, as there is currently no way to remove it.
For more information on Invasive Species please visit the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department website - https://www.oclw.org/ The staff of that Department work very hard in the fight to stop Aquatic Invasive Species.
By Kathleen Cooper April 24, 2024- I ran for Oneida County Board Supervisor and lost the election; however, I don’t consider it a loss. The conversations I have had with my neighbors filled me with the hope that it is possible to move past what divides us in this polarized political climate and find what connects us to each other.
I’m not gonna lie, I was a little afraid to go door to door, because I am a well-known progressive in a mostly conservative district. I didn’t know what kind of reception I would receive. I worried for nothing- my neighbors all over Pelican Township were gracious, kind, and welcoming when I came to visit, and were eager to hear about the local issues in Oneida County.
I found that we agreed on many local issues. Every single person I spoke to was happy that the Pelican River Forest would be protected for perpetuity. They were also strongly against mining in Oneida County, or basically anywhere in Wisconsin. They all wanted clean air, clean drinking water, and keeping this beautiful area a safe place not only for humans, but also for wildlife. They all wanted something to be done to curb PFAS and other contamination. They wanted stricter rules for wakeboating and other dangers to our lakes and shoreline habitat, such as erosion, salt runoff, and invasive species.
What’s more, I found out what my new friends are passionate about. We talked about all kinds of things, sometimes getting personal. I would watch their faces as they spoke, I saw their eyes light up, sparkling, as they talked about their families, their loves, their spiritual practices, their memories. They radiated joy as they told me their stories, what made them sing and what made them sad. Universally, they love this place, this beautiful place of forests, lakes, rivers, and wide open spaces. We are unique from most of the people in the US- we have this gift, the gift of beauty and nature, and we have the privilege of being able to live in a more natural way than our urban counterparts. Even indoor types love it here and enjoy the peace and the beauty from their windows.
There is one catch, though- we need to actively and proactively take care of our natural resources to keep them beautiful and clean. As Uncle Ben told Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) “with great gifts comes great responsibility.” We don’t have to go back to living off the land or off the grid, but it is important to be good stewards. We need economic development, but not at the expense of our water, wildlife, and habitat. We need to be thoughtful about how we treat this area, and to remember how grateful we are for the privilege of living here. After all, this is truly God’s country.
I want to thank all those who voted for me, and also the people who didn’t, for being so kind and generous with their time. I also want to thank everyone for showing me that we are truly neighbors, and we care about each other, no matter where we fall on the political spectrum. Please don’t let outside forces with their own agendas divide us, because we are family. I can’t thank you enough, for everything
By Beckie Gaskill April 23, 2024- April means a great deal of things. It brings Tax Day. It is the start of spring. It brings some of the migratory birds back. It means Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention, most of all!
I attend probably an obnoxious number of conferences each year: The Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC), International Invasive Species and Climate Change Conference (IISCCC), The North American Invasive Species Management Association Conference (NAISMA), the PFAS Summit, and the Wisconsin Wetland Science Conference were all on my list this year. But honestly, Lakes and Rivers Conference always winds up to be my favorite. The content of the conference itself is always a draw. But getting to spend a few days with like-minded people means more than anything.
One of the biggest things I stress to everyone who will listen is that user groups have more in common than our differences. Yes, one of my biggest concerns is the environment and all of the things that fall under that umbrella. But at the same time, I am a hunter and angler. So, for me, I understand that the non-take community and the take community, also known as the “hook and bullet crowd,” have a lot more in common than most people in either group understand. Heck, people within each of those groups, but in different user groups, tend to focus more on their differences than their similarities. Hikers and bikers do not always get along. ATVers and snowmobile communities do not always get along. In the fishing community, “walleye guys” choose not to see eye to eye with “bass guys” and vice versa.
This conference added another layer to these user groups. Honestly, it was one about which I had not thought a great deal – the producer-led watershed people.
“You like food, don’t you?” is an easy way out and, honestly, argumentative, bringing no solutions. It could be easy to say, certainly. We charge our farmers with feeding us all, even if we are angry at those of them who may not be the most environmentally minded.
I spent Friday’s lunch at the Lakes and Rivers Convention with a farmer. I will leave her name out, but she spoke quite a bit about the considerations and adaptations she and her husband had made at their farm, following her father-in-law's original visions for the farm.
“You’d never even know there was a creek on our farm,” she told me and the rest of the lake lovers at the table. Her story gave me pause. As a lake lover myself, but also understanding that farmers are tasked with feeding us all somehow, I have been torn in some respects. What this person brought to light for me was the fact that there are many farmers who do think about the environment, and about water, the same way many of us do.
One of the things I have always believed, when talking with various groups, is that there is “no one” who doesn’t want clean water, or clean air, or habitat for wildlife. And I still believe that it is true today. The difference now is that I can add producers to that group. When I say “no one,” I mean no group as a whole. When we look at a super-hot topic such as wake boats, many may believe that thought erroneous. In some cases that is true, but in other cases it is simply a lack of education.
My point in all of this is that we all have so much more in common than we have differences. We are all living not only on the same planet, but in the same state. We all enjoy the natural resources of the state, and we all not only love, but need, our water most specifically. I would urge anyone reading to take a minute or two to reach out to someone in a different user group – perhaps someone you meet on the trail or at the lake, maybe the person behind you at the sports shop. See what it might be that you have in common. You might be surprised how small of a world in which we all live.
Beckie Gaskill is a freelance outdoor and environmental writer as well as a content creator. She runs her own podcast as part of her media company FlaG (Fish Like a Girl) Media. She is a Master Naturalist and sits on the board of several different conservation organizations. She has also started her own digital magazine, The Wisconsin Conservationist. More information regarding that magazine can be found on her website: The Wisconsin Conservationist Magazine – All the news that is important to you (wordpress.com)
By Beckie Gaskill March 27, 2022-Water is not only essential for life but also plays a significant role in shaping the value of real estate properties. Whether it’s a picturesque lakefront property, a suburban home with access to clean drinking water, or an urban apartment overlooking a river, the quality of water can have a profound impact on property values. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the interconnected relationship between water quality and property values, exploring how they influence each other and what implications this has for homeowners, buyers, and communities.
The Importance of Water Quality:
Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water. It’s a measure of its suitability for various uses, including drinking, recreational activities, agriculture, and supporting aquatic ecosystems. Factors affecting water quality include pollution, sedimentation, nutrient runoff, industrial discharges, and agricultural practices.
Clean and abundant water is not only essential for human health but also contributes to the overall well-being of ecosystems and biodiversity. Conversely, contaminated or polluted water can have detrimental effects on public health, ecosystem health, and economic activities.
Impact on Property Values:
The quality of water can significantly influence the value of real estate properties in several ways:
1. Location Premium: Properties located near bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or oceans often command higher prices due to the aesthetic appeal and recreational opportunities they offer. Clean and well-maintained water bodies enhance the visual attractiveness of the surroundings, thus increasing property values.
2. Recreational Opportunities: Access to clean water bodies opens up recreational activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and water sports. Properties with such access are perceived as more desirable and fetch higher prices, especially in vacation or resort areas.
3. Drinking Water Quality: The availability of clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental requirement for homeowners. Properties served by municipal water systems with high-quality drinking water often have higher values compared to those relying on private wells or areas with poor water quality.
4. Environmental Considerations: Buyers are increasingly conscious of environmental issues, including water quality. Properties in areas with well-managed water resources and minimal pollution are preferred, reflecting a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable living environments.
Case Studies and Research:
Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between water quality and property values, providing valuable insights into this complex interplay. For instance, research conducted in various regions has shown that improvements in water quality lead to corresponding increases in property values. Conversely, instances of water pollution or contamination have been linked to decreased property values and potential long-term economic losses for communities.
Policy Implications and Community Action:
Recognizing the importance of water quality for property values, policymakers, local authorities, and community organizations play a crucial role in implementing measures to protect and enhance water resources. This may involve implementing regulations to reduce pollution, investing in infrastructure for water treatment and wastewater management, promoting sustainable land use practices, and fostering community engagement in water conservation efforts.
Conclusion:
Water quality and property values are intricately linked, with clean water serving as a valuable asset that enhances the desirability and value of real estate properties. As the importance of environmental sustainability grows, so too does the significance of maintaining high water quality standards. By understanding this relationship and taking proactive measures to protect and improve water resources, communities can not only safeguard public health and environmental integrity but also enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life for residents now and in the future.
Beckie Gaskill is a freelance outdoor and environmental writer as well as a content creator. She runs her own podcast as part of her media company FlaG (Fish Like a Girl) Media. She is a Master Naturalist and sits on the board of several different conservation organizations. She has also started her own digital magazine, The Wisconsin Conservationist. More information regarding that magazine can be found on her website: The Wisconsin Conservationist Magazine – All the news that is important to you (wordpress.com)
By Eric Rempala March 21, 2024- It took multiple meetings by both the County Board and the Conservation and UW Extension Committee to finally produce a resolution that the majority of the County Board could get behind, 13 ayes and 6 no. The end result was a Resolution on Enhanced Wake Regulations. https://www.oneidacountywi.gov/wp-content/uploads/meetings/Res-12-2024-Amended-Enhanced-Wake-Regulations.pdf
In the resolution the county asks for restricting enhanced wake creation closer than 500ft from shore and in depths less than 20ft. These limits are compromise between the most extreme protections and the woefully minimum numbers offered by Senator Felzkowski and Representative Swearengen's proposal of 200ft from shore and no depth restrictions.
The resolution also calls for the state to allow local governments to set their own limits above state minimums. This has become a necessary ask since most of the state legislation lately prohibits local entities to be more protective of their resources than state limits. Local control?
The last ask of the resolution calls for the Wisconsin Legislature to address the transfer of aquatic invasive species from ballast tanks and bladders for the protection of water quality that drives our northern economy. The reason for this ask is that most if not all ballast's of Wave Boats are very difficult to drain. One wonders if controlling invasive species was even considered in manufacture of such boats.
This resolution is a win for the hundreds of county residents who showed up at listening sessions by the afore mentioned Felzkowski and Swearengen, voicing their concerns and asking for meaningful lake protections.
The resolution was also a win for our County Board who in the last several months have passed environmentally protective resolutions on PFAS and now Wave Boats. Resolutions to protect health and safety of both residents and lakes.
A county renowned for its lakes, work is done. An advisory resolution supported by the public and passed by their local representatives. All that needs to be done now is our legislature to follow suit representing constituents and produce legislation that echo's the efforts. Early 2025 is when we should expect the legislation to be enacted. Accept nothing less.
For the record -
Those supervisors voting in favor of the Enhanced Wake Resolution were Timmons, Cushing, Fried, Newman, Condado, Jensen, Winkler, Fisher, Sorgel, Almekinder, Schreier, Schultz, Hanus.
Supervisors voting against the resolution were Harris, Briggs, Ryden, Roach, Oettinger, Holewinski.
Absent Supervisors Rio and Showalter.
Feel free to let your supervisor know if you were happy about their vote. Find your supervisor's contact info at County Board – Oneida County, WI (oneidacountywi.gov)
By Karl Fate February 28, 2024- The fact that our County Government spent so much time fighting the immensely popular private property called the Pelican River Forest illustrates how our current Board, chaired by Scott Holewinski, has devolved into a partisan political quagmire, and exposes the hypocrisy of some elected Wisconsin Representatives and County Board members.
This all started when then State politician Tom Tiffany interfered in a local county election and then proceeded to launch an attack on local control, aided by his political cronies on the County Board, allowing real estate developers to chop up even the tiniest of our lakes into 100-foot lots. This threw away decades of hard work and investment by many Counties across the North that was focused on protecting their lakes.
In 2018 Tiffany’s repeal of the wildly popular “Prove it First” law, gave some County Board Supervisors an excuse to remove a vital local control from the Towns for the purpose of creating a Mining District in the Northwoods centered around the Lynne Deposit that lies under a vast wetland area upstream of the Willow Flowage in the Town of Lynne. The fact that so-called property rights advocates would deliberately strip local control from property owners, could not be any more outrageous and hypocritical. This scheme only died because the Referendum question asking for the support of voters in the County was rejected substantially at the ballot box. Now, that method of gauging public opinion has been removed thanks to Mary Felzkowski and other State Politicians.
Between 2009 and 2018 our County Government spent an enormous amount of time and considerable resources promoting something that the people of the County did not want, and more recently our County Government spent considerable time and energy trying to block something that most people strongly favored. This is clearly an unacceptable way for our elected representatives to operate and could have been avoided had they been listening to the people they are supposed to represent.
The common denominator for these cases is a small number of supervisors and Representatives pushing a mine that the local people do not want, one on public land at Lynne near the Willow Flowage, and the other adjacent to the Upper Wolf River in the Town of Schoepke. Our County is poorly served when our County Government becomes infected with partisan politics because our elected officials stop listening while they are serving other interests. Get the Politics out of our Courthouse and start representing the public’s interest!
Advisory Referenda Method of Gauging Public Opinion Stripped Away
Direct quote from the June 16th, Felzkowski Flyer emailing on banning advisory referenda.
"Preventing local governments from using hot-button political advisory referendums, on issues they have no direct control over, to increase partisan voter turnout."
Please note the assertion "issues they (local governments) have no direct control over".
The 2018 Lynne referendum where 63% of voters opposed mining is an example of an advisory referenda that has now been stripped away by our legislature.
It's noteworthy that the June 16th, 2023, Flyer link is conspicuously absent from Senator Felzkowski's webpage log. News (wisconsin.gov)
By Kathleen Cooper February 13, 2024-Have you ever seen the “Hunger Games” movies? They depict the US taken over by exploitative forces that divide the country into twelve “sacrifice zones”, or districts. Each district has a specialty, such as agriculture, manufacturing, lumber harvesting, mining, etc. This dystopian future for America is not as fictional and far-fetched as you may think, if the American Stewards of Liberty, Tom Tiffany, and Mary Felzkoski have their way.
The American Stewards of Liberty are a Texas-based group that is against land and water conservation, and advocates for natural resource exploitation. They promote mineral mining, increased grazing, timber cutting, for-profit commercial and industrial development, and oil and gas drilling on Federal lands. They spin their message as being about freedom and personal choice, about confronting the “radical environmental movement,” when their true motives are about extracting natural resources. Their goals are extremely unpopular, since 80% of voters nationwide support land conservation.
Our own Tom Tiffany was one of the keynote speakers at the American Stewards for Liberty’s 30x30 summit in September 2023. Tiffany is also bringing the America Stewards for Liberty’s agenda to Wisconsin and attempting to stall or halt the Federal funding for the purchase of the conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest. They did not succeed…this time. Tiffany has also suggested that local governments work with Margaret Byfield, the executive director of the American Stewards for Liberty, while updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plans, on which the Oneida County Planning and Development Committee is now working.
Preserving our environment is extremely popular with the people of Oneida County. We realize how fortunate we are to live in a place where there is clean air, forestland, clear lakes, rivers, and streams. The proposed Lynne mine was defeated in 2018 by 64% of the voters. The county board knows what the people of Oneida want, they just choose to ignore our wishes, and are considering changing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from using our public lands for recreation and forestry to using it for development of extractive industries (mining) and other industrial development.
Please don’t let this Texas group have a say about land use in northern Wisconsin. Contact your county board supervisor, by phone or email, and tell him/her that you want clean air, clean water, and forests to be left alone in Oneida County, and open to the public. Your children and grandchildren will thank you.
For more coverage on this issue-
See our January posts by Joe Hovel and Kathleen Cooper.
Also, listen to 30-minute Radio interview on Pelican River Forest with Charlie Carlin of Gathering Waters covering the whole process including the recent controversy. [AUDIO] Pelican River Forest Conservation Efforts Run Into Political Hurdle | WHBY
Also see Texas Observer coverage Conservatives Against Conservation (texasobserver.org)
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