News Release
For Immediate Release
September 8, 1998
Contact:
    Don Hildebrandt,  WI  B.A.S.S. State Federation -715-842-3397
    Pam Porter,  Wisconsin's Environmental Decade -  608-251-7020
    Jim Wise, ECCOLA  -  715-453-3676
    Becky Katers, Clean Water Action Council  -  920-437-7304
    Phil Emmling, Badger Fly Fishers - 608-262-2899
 

The Wisconsin Stewardship Network (WSN) announces the addition of three new sporting groups to its steering committee. New organizations include The Badger Fly Fishers, The Wisconsin B.A.S.S. State Federation and The Wisconsin Izaak Walton League.  The steering committee, now composed of nineteen member organizations is meeting for the second time on September 11th in the Stevens Point area.

"All these groups have a lot in common," said Don Hildebrandt, Conservation and Resource director for Wisconsin B.A.S.S. State Federation. "From sulfide mining to the politicizing of the DNR, it's time to work together to protect the resources we all benefit from."

"The growth of the Network is exciting for all of us," said Pam Porter, executive director of Wisconsin's Environmental Decade and one of the original WSN volunteers. "Lunch for the Stewardship Network meetings include both tofu and T-bone steak when we get together to discuss what's really important: clean lakes and rivers, safe fish, and our desire to pass a healthy environment on to the next generation. We've also learned from the mining moratorium battle that by working together and finding common ground that we can be a very powerful force."

The steering committee decided on four priority issues at it's April meeting. Priorities include restoring independence to the DNR and the Public Intervenors office, protecting shorelands threatened by over development, enforcing laws governing sulfide mining regulations, and curbing factory farming trends until environmental safeguards are in place. The network has been organizing groups for over 3 years now and works with over 100 groups statewide.

"Fishing clubs need to join other common interest groups in order to motivate and direct state officials toward responsible and compatible use of renewable resources" said Phil Emmling of Badger Fly Fishers.