Jobs Creation Act

When the Job Creation Act of 2003 (Act 118) passed last year, the DNR began developing rules to implement that law. When it came to water resource provisions, two major things had to be defined -- which waters would be considered “Areas of Special Natural Resource Interest” and when/how “general permits” would be issued for activities along navigable waters. Now those rules are up for hearings at locations across Wisconsin, and we can show our support for them. Hearings are set for:

Three weeks ago the Legislature’s Joint Committee to Review Administrative Rules (JCRAR) suspended portions of the “emergency rules” that had been in place. The JCRAR felt some of the emergency rules went too far in requiring DNR permit review (all along backers of Act 118 had wanted as many water permits as possible to be “general” permits to expedite their construction and building projects).

This JCRAR action sent the various interest groups (including the Governor’s office) back to the table, and they are still there as of this e-mail. George Meyer of the WI Wildlife Federation has been involved in these discussions on behalf of the environmental/conservation community, and he is confident the final rules brought to the hearings will be something that makes the best of a bad situation. Like it or not, we have entered an era of general water permits in Wisconsin, and these permits may not get the kind of review from the DNR we’d like to see to ensure water resources are not impaired. But the recommendation from George Meyer at this time is: “support the rules as written to make the best of a bad situation.”

The WSN can get you more information about the rules and talking points for your appearance at one of the hearings. Just let me know. I hope you pass this information along to your group members so someone from your organization can attend a hearing in your area.

Todd Hanson
Executive Director
WI Stewardship Network
122 State St. Ste. 510
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 268-1218 (phone & fax)
info@wsn.org

	Act 118 and the "Jobs Creation Act"
	ACTION ALERT! ACT 118 Hearings Need Our Support See recent news articles about ACT 118 When the Job Creation Act of 2003 (Act 118) passed last year, the DNR began developing rules to implement that law. When it came to water resource provisions, two major things had to be defined -- which waters would be considered “Areas of Special Natural Resource Interest” and when/how “general permits” would be issued for activities along navigable waters. Now those rules are up for hearings at locations across Wisconsin, and we can show our support for them. Hearings are set for: Tuesday, July 27: NOTE - Meeting places for July 27 have changed to these locations listed below to accommodate more people. Room N 133, North View Building, 1500 University Drive, UW-Waukesha, Waukesha Holiday Inn Express, 668 W. Kemp St. (Business Hwy. 8 west), Rhinelander Wednesday, July 28 July 28: Old Library OL1132, UW-Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire July 28: Room 218, UW-Wausau, 518 South 7th Avenue, Wausau Thursday, July 29 July 29: Boardroom A &B, Wis. Indianhead Tech College-Shell Lake Campus, 505 Pine Ridge Drive, Shell Lake July 29: Wing Communications Room 102, UW-La Crosse, 1725 State St., La Crosse Tuesday, August 3 August 3: Room 332, Pyle Center, UW-Madison, 702 Langdon Street, Madison August 3: Room 137, Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, UW- Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay Three weeks ago the Legislature’s Joint Committee to Review Administrative Rules (JCRAR) suspended portions of the “emergency rules” that had been in place. The JCRAR felt some of the emergency rules went too far in requiring DNR permit review (all along backers of Act 118 had wanted as many water permits as possible to be “general” permits to expedite their construction and building projects). This JCRAR action sent the various interest groups (including the Governor’s office) back to the table, and they are still there as of this e-mail. George Meyer of the WI Wildlife Federation has been involved in these discussions on behalf of the environmental/conservation community, and he is confident the final rules brought to the hearings will be something that makes the best of a bad situation. Like it or not, we have entered an era of general water permits in Wisconsin, and these permits may not get the kind of review from the DNR we’d like to see to ensure water resources are not impaired. But the recommendation from George Meyer at this time is: “support the rules as written to make the best of a bad situation.” The WSN can get you more information about the rules and talking points for your appearance at one of the hearings. Just let me know. I hope you pass this information along to your group members so someone from your organization can attend a hearing in your area. Todd Hanson Executive Director WI Stewardship Network 122 State St. Ste. 510 Madison, WI 53703 (608) 268-1218 (phone & fax) info@wsn.org Media Coverage on Act 118 and the Jobs Creation Act DNR asks for public input on new water rules - July 30, 2004 Green Bay News Chronicle ‘Job creation act’ hurts waterways, critics say - July 30, 2004 Green Bay Press Gazette Up Here: When it comes to politics, northern Wisconsin is not the tranquil, passive place the world wants it to be - July 29, 2004 FightingBob Northwoods residents comment on DNR rules - July 28, 2004 Rhinelander Daily News Several Republicans to Voice Opposition to Stricter Water Standards - July 27, 2004 Wisconsin Public Radio Bill Berry: Critters just getting in the way of Endangered Species Act foes - July 27, 2004 CapTimes Construction Near Water Stirs Debate: Many Believe the Proposed Regulations Would Violate The State Constitution - July 25, 2004 Wisconsin State Journal Letter: We all share responsibility for state's waterways - July 25, 2004 Marshfield News Herald Some accuse DNR of tightening rules despite new law meant to cut red tape - July 24, 2004 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Location change for public hearings on waterway permit rules: Move affects July 27 hearings in Rhinelander and Waukesha - July 27, 2004 Wheeler Report (PDF) Sierra Club: Safeguards Needed for Wisconsin’s Lakes and Streams - July 22, 2004 WisPolitics Letter: We should all care - July 22, 2004 Sawyer County Review Pat Durkin: Wisconsin outdoorsmen should feel fortunate - July 22, 2004 Wisconsin Outdoors DNR draft rules on lake permits set for hearing - July 20, 2004 Vilas County News-Review Department of Natural Resources set to confront rules committee - July 20, 2004 Lakeland Times Governor Directs DNR Not to Remove Piers This Summer - July 16, 2004 WisPolitics Hearings set on "Designated Waters List' for waterway permits - July 15, 2004 WDNR Opinion: Bill Berry: Money, politics fuel disputes north of state's 'tension line' - July 13, 2004 CapTimes Opinion: Environ- mentalists use totalitarian techniques to hide their biases - July 13, 2004 Lakeland Times Environmental reg reform eases permitting process - July 7, 2004 Burnett County Sentinel Critics blast hearing process on DNR rules - July 6, 2004 Vilas County News-Review Editorial: Democrats’ no show is a slap in the face of Northwoods residents - July 2, 2004 Lakeland Times Rebecca Katers: Shoreline hearing a sham - July 1, 2004 CapTimes Max capacity: Hundreds turned away from meeting - June 29 (July 2), 2004 Lakeland Times Legislative committee suspends pier rules - June 29 (July 2), 2004 Lakeland Times Melissa Scanlan, Midwest Environmental Advocates: Let Dnr Protect Lakes, Rivers - June 29, 2004 Wisconsin State Journal The Blue-Green Algae Creation Act - June 29, 2004 FightingBob AG ruling on Lakeland Times charge re: DNR employees - June 29, 2004 WDNR See the previous Action Alert about the JCRAR June 24 Hearing Realtors and Legislators Manipulate Shoreline Rules Hearings - June 26, 2004 CWAC Legislative panel shelves emergency pier, dock rule - June 25, 2004 Appleton Post Crescent Legislative committee discusses pier, dock rules - June 25, 2004 Green Bay News Chronicle Emergency dock, pier rules pulled - June 25, 2004 Wausau Daily Herald Dick Wheeler's Report on JCRAR Hearing in Minocqua - June 24, 2004 Wheeler Report (PDF) Midwest Environmental Advocates: Uphold Public Trust Doctrine and Keep the DNR's Emergency Rules - June 24, 2004 Wheeler Report (PDF) Rules protecting shorelines under reconsideration: Local environmental activists speak out - June 23, 2004 Green Bay News Chronicle Wisconsin Wildlife Federation: Request to Natural Resources Board On Bank Grading - June 23, 2004 WisPolitics (PDF) Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters: Letter to Joint Committee on Review of Administrative Rules - June 23, 2004 WisPolitics (PDF) Wisconsin Shorelines At Risk: Developers trying to block emergency rules - June 23, 2004 CWAC Public testimony set on proposed nuclear plant sale - June 23, 2004 Manitowoc Herald Times Jobs v. environment? Panel eyes suspending DNR emergency rules - June 22, 2004 CapTimes Hearing set Thursday on stricter pier rules - June 22, 2004 Vilas County News Review Northwoods residents have historic opportunity Thursday - June 22, 2004 Lakeland Times News Conference in Green Bay June 22: Rule Suspension Threatens Wisconsin’s Shorelines - June 21, 2004 CWAC Wisconsin Wildlife Federation: The Legislature Needs to Keep Its Promise to Protect Wisconsin’s Lakes And Streams - June 21, 2004 WisPolitics Critics say DNR rules outlaw thousands of existing piers - June 21, 2004 Lakeland Times Editorial: Dirty work of Job Creation Act already begun - June 21, 2004 Tomah Journal For more information about the Jobs Creation Act see: "The Job Creation Act of 2003 /2004" posted by Clean Water Action Council "Environmental Deregulation" posted by Clean Water Action Council