(Madison) Today Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade announced the results of a public opinion poll indicating widespread support for strong environmental standards.  The poll measured the public’s reaction when local, state and tribal governments differ in air and water regulations.  In each case the public, by a nearly 2:1 margin, supported using the highest environmental standard.

"This poll is a strong show of support for strengthening, not weakening laws that protect  air and water, said Pamela Porter, Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade.  "We weren’t surprised by the results showing the majority of people in Wisconsin support environmental safeguards; but we were surprised by the strength of that support."

The poll may help explain why Wisconsinites have recently objected to efforts that weaken environmental safeguards, whether a proposal by Exxon to mine along the Wolf River, the Department of Agriculture’s proposal to weaken current pesticide laws or preempting local governments from enacting laws that limit the siting factory hog farms.

The research poll, conducted by Chamberlain Research Consultants, an independent research firm, was conducted in October 1997.  The sample size was 600 and the margin of error was 3.97.

In addition, the poll tested the strength of public opinion for tribal government laws.  The state is involved in several lawsuits concerning tribal environmental standards set within reservation boundaries.

"With the state in the midst of negotiations on gaming compacts, we are concerned that the Governor will gamble away our natural resources," said Porter.  "However, when state and tribal environmental standards differ, the public believes that the highest environmental standard be used."

For more information contact Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade at (608)251-7020 or visit their website at www.wsn.org.