Wisconsin Stewardship Network

Sets Issue Priorities For 2004

2/11/04

The need for water regulation and support for strong shoreland zoning rules were selected as the top natural resources concerns facing Wisconsin in votes cast Saturday at the Wisconsin Stewardship Network (WSN) annual conference in Stevens Point. 

Representatives of the WSN’s 65 member organizations also voted to collectively oppose the Arrowhead-to-Weston transmission line, engage in two environmental education initiatives, work to adjust the state’s motorboat gas tax formula, and take steps to prevent forest and habitat fragmentation.  Members declined to adopt two measures — one calling for a ban on deer baiting and feeding and another opposing nuclear power generation and waste storage in Wisconsin. 

Another highlight of the WSN conference was the presentation on Friday of two specially commissioned statues honoring the tribes that purchased the controversial Crandon Mine last November.  Governor Jim Doyle presented the awards to Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Chair Sandra Rachal and Forest County Potawatomi Chair Gus Frank. 

The WSN is giving businesses and individuals a chance to join in this tribal thank-you.  Those making a contribution toward the purchase of the statues will have their names engraved on the statues.  Tax-deductible contributions should be made by Feb. 28 to the Wisconsin Stewardship Network, Attn: tribal awards, 122 State St. Ste. 510, Madison, WI 53703. Call (608) 268-1218 for further details.

The tribal awards and issue voting were part of a two-day conference bringing together leaders of over 60 sporting, conservation, environmental, and other organizations that work to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s natural resources.  Stewardship Network groups select top natural resources concerns facing Wisconsin.

WSN 2004-05 ISSUE STATEMENTS ADOPTED

WSN groups adopted six statements of position at the WSN conference Saturday in Stevens Point.  In order of importance, the issues the network will focus on in the coming year are:

• Water Regulation:  The WSN supports enacting legislation that sets standards for water withdrawals, promotes efficient water use, and improves the integrity of the Wisconsin’s water supply.

• Shoreland Zoning Rules Rewrite:  The WSN supports strong standards to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and natural scenic beauty in WI through participating in the WDNR rewrite of the statewide shoreland zoning rules (NR115), strengthening local shoreland ordinances, defending our navigable waterways and the public trust doctrine, and through outreach and education.

• Arrowhead-Weston Line:  The WSN opposes the Arrowhead-to-Weston transmission line or any other large-scale energy scheme that endangers the land, air, water, or beauty of Northern Wisconsin.

• Environmental Education Initiatives:  The WSN supports a healthy relationship between people and the land facilitated by the renewal of Wisconsin’s commitment to environmental education and a collective effort to acquaint Wisconsin citizens with Aldo Leopold’s idea of a ‘land ethic.’

• Forest and Habitat Fragmentation:  The WSN will promote public policies that prevent forest fragmentation by urging our elected officials to support the Forest Legacy and Stewardship programs and helping raise awareness on the benefits these habitat protection programs provide our citizens.

• Motorboat Gas Tax:  The WSN supports adjustment of the motor gas tax allocation formula to reflect average annual consumption of 100 gallons of gasoline per motorboat in the next state budget, with the allocation targeted primarily toward the traditional mix of activities funded by the Water Resources Account. 

On the ballot but not adopted were two issues stating: 

• "The WSN supports a prohibition on deer baiting and feeding," and 

• "The WSN opposes the promotion of nuclear power generation and the resultant long-term radioactive waste storage in Wisconsin." 

WSN member organizations submitted proposed issues to the WSN board two months ago.  The WSN board then pared down the list of proposals to eight items.  Issues that did not make the member group ballot included proposals to prevent farm manure runoff, help implement the state’s nonpoint pollution rules, require producers of computer equipment to recycle their old products, reduce electrical pollution, limit billboard construction, and repeal the farmland use value assessment penalty.

- for more information contact Todd Hanson