October 14, 2003

To: Representatives on the natural Resources Committee

From: WLCV Political Committee; Bill Pielsticker, Chair

The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters urges you to vote against AB506. This proposal would have the effect of removing at least one-third of our stream miles from the public domain. Apart from the questionable constitutionality of such a move, this would place nearly all headwaters at risk. Without healthy headwaters, our streams and the flora and fauna they support will decline. 

The term "navigable water" is quite well defined by case law and needs no revision. This was the position of the special committee established by the Legislative Counsel to examine this very issue. Reject this bill, and instead support AB 514 as written. Leave our public waters public.

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The mission of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters includes educating the voting public about key conservation issues. Our Scorecard Committee, composed of 15 conservation experts state-wide, assists in the production of our Conservation Scorecard presenting key votes on conservation and environmental legislation each year. 

The Wisconsin Conservation Briefing Book 2003-2004, prepared in collaboration with more than 30 environmental and conservation groups, land trusts, government advisors and academics, serves as the basis for many policy positions taken by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters. This resource, which provides background information on conservation issues, detailed policy recommendations, and resource directories was delivered to your office earlier this year. For an additional copy of the Briefing Book, please contact the WLCV office or visit our website at www.conservationvoters.org. 

If you have any questions about this bill or any other Wisconsin conservation issue, please do not hesitate to contact the WLCV office at (608) 850-4585.

Post Office Box 455, Waunakee, Wisconsin 53597-0455 · Tel. (608) 850-4585 · Fax (608) 850-4588

info@wlcv.org · www.conservationvoters.org