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WSNetwork
News
August
15, 2004
News
on issues of common interest to Wisconsin's
sporting, conservation, and environmental
communities
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Welcome
to WSNetwork
News. To read news
about WSN
Priority Issues, click on these section links:
For current links
to articles about Wisconsin's environment from
state news media and organizations, see WSNetwork
News Daily
Other
News
Announcements
Meetings
& Events
Contact your WSN Regional Coordinators for local action on conservation
and environmental issues in your community
See
list of WSN
Member Organizations
Subscribe
to WSNetwork
News
Photos
in this issue are from these
WSN member
group websites: Clean
Wisconsin, Protect
the Earth, and WISPIRG
We want
to hear from you! Please feel free to send
your comments, links and news to webmaster@wsn.org
Windsurfing
on the Great Lakes
From Clean
Wisconsin &
Wisconsin
Department of Tourism
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Send
a Letter to Governor Doyle to
Protect
our Great Lakes
Now is the time to take action and help protect your Great Lakes. Ask Governor
Doyle to ensure that Wisconsin has more than one hearing on these two very
important documents. Also, please tell Governor Doyle, before October 17, 2004,
to strengthen the compact as noted in Clean Wisconsin's Press
Release.
You can contact Governor Doyle at 608.266.1212 or
governor@wisconsin.gov. More details and a prewritten letter to Governor Doyle,
can be found at http://www.cleanwisconsin.org/campaigns/doyle_GL_letter.html
For more information,
the Initiative Documents are
available at:
www.speakongreatlakes.org and www.cleanwisconsin.org/campaigns/greatLakes.html
Read
the Clean Wisconsin Press Release:
Clean Wisconsin Highlights Great Lakes
Compact Strengths & Weaknesses
Citizens
can attend Great Lakes Management
Initiative Official Hearings and Meetings
Aug 18 - Oct 6
The Great Lakes Management
Initiative is a historic
agreement in the making, but it will need the environmental communities help if
it is going to become law. There are two types of meetings associated with the
Initiative, E-NGO informational meetings and DNR Official
Hearings, which will be held from August 18 - October 6 at locations in Wisconsin
and Chicago, Illinois.
For
more information see:
http://www.wsn.org/great_lakes_hearings_04.html
and
Read
the DNR News Release, "Comment sessions set for
Great Lakes
water use proposals"
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Gaylord
Nelson paddles the Namekagon River
From
Protect
the Earth
Articles
from State Media
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ACTION
ALERT!
You
can submit written comments on
the Arrowhead-Weston
Transmission
Line Until August 29, 2004
The
Public Hearing was held on August 19, but you still have time to give the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (Corps) feedback on the negative impacts of the proposed
Arrowhead-Weston transmission line on the wetlands and other features of the
national scenic riverways the proposed line would cross.
Submit a letter to the Corps by August 29 expressing your concerns about
the environmental impacts of the proposed line. Comments should be mailed to:
For more information:
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Background
You will remember that the WDNR
once recommended that the A-W line not be
built along its proposed path due to the line’s impacts on forests,
wetlands, and rivers. Despite this, the Public Service Commission (PSC) issued a
Certificate of Public Need (which carries the power of eminent domain) to build
the line. This certificate is currently being contested by Clean Wisconsin and
SOUL who contend that the certificate was wrongly granted by the PSC. They
contend the PSC did not follow its own
rules to wait until the WDNR had issued its
permits before issuing the certificate. The Corps should not compound this
error. The Corps should be urged to wait until the after this appeal of the
PSC’s action before deciding on the line.
Other points
of objection to the Corp’s environmental impact statement are contained in a
comment submitted by Gaylord
Nelson and others. See
Gov. Nelson’s comment.
Finally, Sandy Lyon of WSN
member group Anishinaabe Niijii/Protect the Earth will be happy to talk with
anyone interested about the A-W line's
environmental impacts in areas where the Corps has jurisdiction.
Sandy has followed this very
closely, and she suggests that before you call
her at (715) 766-2725, you visit
ProtectTheEarth.org to learn more about the wild places of the northwest that Gaylord
Nelson seeks to protect from the destruction of the proposed Arrowhead 345,000
volt transmission line.
For more information:
New
Report: Ecological Effects of Fragmentation Related to Transmission Line
Rights-of-Way:
A Review of the State of the Science
by Cassandra J. Willyard, Susan M. Tikalsky and Patricia A. Mullins,
Resource Strategies, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin. June 2004
This is a much-needed review of existing research into the effects of
transmission line rights-of-way on local flora and fauna. The project
focuses on four areas: the current state of scientific research; how
this research relates to transmission-line rights-of-way in Wisconsin;
insight into the limitations of current research; and recommendations for
research in the future. The report includes a list of all cited references,
abstracts of Wisconsin-based research and information about Wisconsin species
with special ecological requirements.
Read more about the
Report:
http://www.focusonenergy.com/page.jsp?pageId=1540
Download
the Report (PDF)
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Articles
from State Media
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ALEC's
"Environmental Literacy Improvement Act"
From
State
Environmental Resource Council
(SERC)
The American
Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is trying to get their corporate
environmental agenda -- and only their agenda -- into your state's classrooms.
The "Environmental Literacy Improvement Act" is built around establishing an
"Environmental Education Council" that would approve "acceptable" environmental
education materials. Such a council would be charged to "actively seek
countervailing scientific and economic views on environmental issues." However,
it would ban experts in environmental science from participation on the board,
while mandating that 40 percent of the board be economists. In addition, it
states that text materials must "not be designed to change student behavior,
attitudes or values" nor "include instruction in political action skills nor
encourage political action activities."
Read
the entire article at:
http://www.serconline.org/alec/alec6.html
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Available
Now: A Special Summer Reflection Issue of
Community Works Journal -in full color!
is now online at no cost, in PDF format, as
a service to the educational community. [48 pages] Please contact us if
you experience any technical glitches.
Written by teachers and accompanied by
student work and photos this special expanded reflection edition
of Community Works Journal, features essays and reflections accompanied
by curriculum overviews that highlight the importance of place, service, and
sustainability to a relevant and meaningful education.
To review or download the PDF
online issue go
to Community Works On-Line
See the website at www.vermontcommunityworks.org
Youth Groundwater
Congress
The
Groundwater Foundation is launching a Youth Groundwater Congress (Congress) in
Washington, D.C., November
3-5, 2004,
in conjunction with the Foundation’s Annual Conference. The
Congress will provide a forum to increase youth leadership and involvement in
groundwater protection and conservation.
Students ages 10-17
are invited to apply to be a part of the first ever Youth Groundwater
Congress. Selected delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about
groundwater, voice their concerns and develop possible solutions. Chosen
delegates will participate in a series of hands-on workshops and creative
learning experiences designed to increase understanding of water issues and
connections to public health; provide a forum to build relationships with peers,
mentors and water professionals; develop capacity to become thoughtful and
informed leaders; and sharpen skills such as public speaking, writing, and
problem solving.
The
Groundwater Foundation will offer limited travel scholarships for Congress
Delegates based on need. For more information about the Youth Groundwater
Congress or for an application, please call 1-800-858-4844 or email Sharon@groundwater.org.
Visit the Conference webpage at http://www.groundwater.org/pe/conference/conference.html
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Articles
from State and National Media
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on Writing for Roadless Protection
Tell
the Bush Administration to Protect our National Forests!!
Defend the Rule: Submit
your comments by September 14
The countdown is on! Twenty-nine days
remain to submit comments in support of protecting 58.5 million acres of
America’s federal lands from logging,
mining, and road building. The national
goal is to generate one million comments to the U.S. Forest Service before the
Sept. 14 deadline.
Submit
your comments online at Heritage
Forests Campaign
Read
the Full Alert from American
Lands Alliance
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Tell the Forest What You Think Should be Done About
ORVs
Twenty-eight days remain to submit comments to strengthen the Rule for managing
Off-road vehicles on Federal lands. Comments are due to the Forest Service
by September 13.
The Forest Service has announced the
release of the much anticipated draft Off Road Vehicle (ORV) regulations. The proposed rule is a step in the right
direction but does not go far enough to solve the ever-growing problem of
unregulated ORV use on National Forests. The Forest Service needs to hear
from you and your group's members. The public
comment period ends on September 13, 2004.
Below is an ORV
Comment Drive Action
Packet for your use in order to distribute to your networks and
memberships and in order to make it as easy as possible for everyone to get
involved in this comment drive. It contains
background materials, talking points, and a sample letter. Thanks to
Wildlands CPR and the Natural Trails and Water Coalition for helping provide
materials for the packet.
See a Sample Comment Letter. http://www.americanlands.org/SampleORVcommentletter.doc
The entire
packet can be found at: http://www.americanlands.org/orv_comment_drive_kit.htm
Comments can be submitted to the
Forest Service via the following:
U.S. Mail:
Proposed Rule for Designated
Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use
c/o Content Analysis
Team
P.O. Box 221150
Salt
Lake City, Utah
84122-1150
Email:
trvman@fs.fed.us
Fax:
801-517-1014
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Articles
from State Media
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Shoreline
Development from WISPIRG
New
Jersey:
Builders Win Fight to Ease Wetland Building Restrictions
The
New Jersey Supreme Court recently overturned a pair of rules that had restricted
development in and around wetlands. The two rules, enacted at the end of Gov.
Christine Todd Whitman's term in 2001, had pushed homes an extra 20 feet away
from streams, rivers, and other wetlands, and imposed strict limitations on the
destruction of seasonal pools, which serve as amphibian habitats. The rules were adopted by the state Department of Environmental Protection to
enforce the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act passed by the state legislature
in 1987.
Although a huge blow to wetlands protection, critics of the ruling argue that
there may be federal grounds to take back the permitting power it had delegated
to the state.
Read
the July 27 Star-Ledger Article
For more information on how your state can protect wetland habitats and their
species, visit: http://www.serconline.org/wetlands/pkg_frameset.html.
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Articles
from Regional Media
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Namekagon
River from Protect
the Earth
Articles
for State Media
Badger
Army Ammunition Plant Contamination
Election
2004
Farm Manure and
Polluted Runoff
Fox River PCB Cleanup
Global Warming
Great Lakes
Invasive Species
Landfill
Rule Changes Proposed
Mercury
Pollution
Milwaukee Municipal Sewage District (MMSD)
Nuclear Power, Waste
and Weapons
Renewable Energy
Wisconsin
Department of Justice
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Public comments requested
on filling in wetland along HWY
164
Comments due no later
than August 28, 2004.
The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has
opened the official public comment period for
the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WisDOT) application to fill-in
sensitive wetland areas along Highway 164 in the Pewaukee/Sussex area has now
been opened, and this federal agency is inviting all of you to send them your
written comments on this matter.
Read
Official Notice and comments
posted by Jeff Gonyo, Highway
J Citizens Group, U.A.
Award nominations requested for volunteers who monitor
the quality of Wisconsin
streams
Nomination
deadline is August 28
Among Wisconsin's most important natural resources are the more than 12,600
rivers and streams in the state. Throughout Wisconsin, volunteers are working to
monitor the health of their hometown streams and rivers.
"Citizen volunteers
play an essential role in monitoring, protecting and restoring the streams and
rivers in Wisconsin," said Peggy Compton, UW-Extension Basin Educator for
Natural Resources. "The Stream Monitoring Awards Program recognizes the efforts
of these volunteers working in stream monitoring."
The Water Action
Volunteers Program (WAV), University of Wisconsin-Extension and the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sponsor the Stream Monitoring Awards
Program.
For more information
and to get a nomination
form see:
http://www.wsn.org/stream_monitor_award_04.html
Volunteers needed for the Fighting
Bob Fest
September 18
Sauk
County Fairgrounds
Fighting Bob Fest is an annual Chautauqua featuring
progressive speakers, networking opportunities, and entertainment. Fighting Bob
Fest carries on
the tradition of Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette by providing a forum for
progressive ideas on issues facing Wisconsin and the nation.
Fighting Bob Fest is put together by dozens of volunteers from the area,
all of whom believe deeply in the progressive ideals espoused by Wisconsin's
most famous politician, Robert M. La Follette.
Volunteers are
needed, especially to help out on Sept. 18. Anyone interested in
volunteering should call Kristi Gundrum at 608-256-1003 or e-mail her at
comments@fightingbob.com.
To
sign up to volunteer Click
Here
Go to the
Fighting
Bob Fest website.
Nominate your endangered river for
the 2005 America's Most Endangered
Rivers report, to be released in April 2005.
Deadline for nominations is October 1, 2004.
Each year, the America's Most Endangered Rivers report shines a
national spotlight on local rivers facing the most uncertain futures.
Get
your nomination forms (PDF)
Go
to the American Rivers announcement
Stewardship
Fund applications available - Deadline for Application is October 15, 2004
Applications for the 2004 Stewardship Fund Grant are now available
from Sheboygan County’s Planning and Resource Department, room 335 of the
Administration Building, 508 New York Avenue or on the Internet at
www.co.sheboygan.wi.us
Read
the Sheboygan Press Article
2003-2004
Wisconsin Legislature scores
poorly on environmental
stewardship
Listen
to Ben Merens, WPR, interview
Liz Wessel, Executive Director,
Clean
Wisconsin Action Fund,
to find out how
Wisconsin faired on the latest scorecard for environmental and conservation
issues.
Listen
to the Interview
2004: Year of Wisconsin
Forestry
Wisconsin’s state forestry program is celebrating its centennial in 2004 as
marked by the hiring of the first State Forester, E.M. Griffith, in 1904. When
Mr. Griffith started his new job on Feb. 1, 1904, fires raged out of control on
the cutover forest land of Wisconsin’s North Woods. His first projects were to
establish an effective fire control program, build a nursery to produce tree
seedlings and then begin the task of reforesting Wisconsin.
For
more information see:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/rbnews/2004/081004scr2.htm
Morrissey named director of Wisconsin DNR parks system
Department
of Natural Resources Secretary Scott
Hassett has announced the appointment of William H. Morrissey as director of the
Bureau of Parks and Recreation. Morrissey, who is leaving his position as
director of Minnesota's Parks and Recreation Division, is expected
to start his new duties in Wisconsin in late August or early September.
For
more information see:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/rbnews/2004/073004co1.htm
Hunters
and Anglers disapprove of
Bush Wildlife Policies
Listen
to a Jim Packard, WPR, interview
of Brian Preston from the National Wildlife Federation
about American hunter and angler attitudes about the Bush
Administation's wildlife and conservation policies.
Listen
to the Interview
Native
plants improve gardens and
landscapes
Listen to an interview by Jim Packard,
WPR, of Molly
Fifield Murray, UW-Madison Arboretum, about the role of native plants in
our gardens and landscapes.
Listen
to the Interview
State
Environmental Resource Center
(SERC)
Subscribe
to "Wildlines"
great email newsletter providing
news about environmental
issues in states across
the U.S.
Visit
the SERC website:
http://www.serconline.org/index.html
Subscribe
to the newsletter:
http://www.serconline.org/subscribe.html
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WSNetwork News is published twice monthly
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For a list of the WSN’s Board of Directors see http://www.wsn.org/wsn_board_of_directors.html
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betterment of its people and natural resources. Editorial
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