| Concerned Citizens of Newport is going to court to block the DNR’s
granting of high-capacity well permits to the Perrier Group of America
for a water bottling operation in Adams County.
Perrier has been seeking county and state approval for its plan to drain 270 million gallons of water a year from springs in the Town of New Haven. The proposal is more than five times larger than any other bottling operation in the state. Perrier intends to pump 500 gallons per minute, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Wisconsin’s other water bottlers pump at rates less than 90 gallons a minute. “We’re fighting a big battle,” says Hiroshi Kanno, the treasurer of Concerned Citizens of Newport. Kanno notes that Perrier’s plan has received support from Governor Thompson and top state officials anxious to lure the company to Wisconsin. The lawsuit will draw its legal support from Wisconsin’s public trust doctrine. The provision, which is part of the state’s constitution, declares a public interest in assuring water quality and requires the state to determine that projects don’t harm state waters. Kanno and other members of the citizens group are disappointed by the DNR’s handling of the proposal. “The DNR, he says, “would rather have a secret agreement with Perrier than have an open environmental study. That’s what’s upsetting to us.” Prior to the lawsuit, opponents of the project have held referendums and elections on the plan, vigorously testified at hearings, prepared documents and studies critiquing the project, and lobbied their legislators. “We’ve gone through all the procedures,” Kanno observes. Kanno, who owns a restored wetland next to the site proposed for Perrier’s 1 million square foot bottling plant, says the issue isn’t only about the impact of the high-capacity wells on area springs. He’s worried that run-off from the facility will contaminate and ruin his wetlands. The lawsuit against the DNR’s action was filed October 12. The issue will be heard by Judge Rehm in nearby Columbia County. The DNR has 45 days to file their response to the lawsuit with Judge Rehm.  Other Links (will open in a new window): |