1/12/04
FOR
MORE
INFO:
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STEVE HINIKER, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin,
608-663-9045
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GEORGE
MEYER, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, 608-516-5545
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CARYL
TERRELL, Sierra Club, 608-256-0565
Leaders of state hunting, fishing, conservation and lakes and
rivers groups today blasted a bill that purports to reflect a
compromise between Republican legislative leadership and Governor
Doyle. The groups said that the bill draft does not reflect the
compromise described by legislative leaders and the governor that
was announced in December. The groups also leveled criticism at the
process, noting that there would be no hearings on the latest
proposal which would allow the shortcomings to be discussed.
"The bill was drafted in secret, negotiated between industry
lobbyists, legislative leaders and the Governor’s office behind
closed doors. Today, it was unveiled with the promise that there
would be no opportunity for the public to be heard on the massive
rewrite of state environmental law," noted George Meyer,
Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.
"We all want Wisconsin to enjoy good economic times, but you
can't sustain an economy for very long by sacrificing public health
and our natural resources. Unfortunately, that is what this newest
version of the Jobs Creation Act represents," said Jennifer
Giegerich of WisPIRG.
"The so-called jobs bill is really starting to look like a
race to the bottom. Which state can provide the least amount of
protection for its natural resources," said Steve Hiniker,
Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.
"The public has never been able to comment on the so-called
compromise which will dramatically change the landscape of
Wisconsin. Big business lobbyists and legislators have skirted the
open records law to draft legislation that will reverse Wisconsin's
long held tradition of protecting natural resources, all under the
phony pretense of creating jobs" said Denny Caneff, Executive
Director of the River Alliance.
"The substitute is a Dirty Air and Water bill designed to
repay political contributions from polluting industries and
irresponsible developers," said Caryl Terrell, Chapter
Director, statewide Sierra Club. "The bill excludes hearings on
air permits unless a person can show they are directly aggrieved.
Tell that to asthma victims, like teenager Samantha Hermsen who can’t
play soccer on bad air days, or to Lila Berge who had a portion of
her lungs removed after living most of her life in the shadow of a
coal-fired power plant."
"The bill allows environmental standards to be stopped which
flies in the face of state agency responsibility to protect our air,
water and land resources through rulemaking," said Bill
Pielsticker, Political Chair, Wisconsin League of Conservation
Voters.