WESTFIELD -  Waterkeepers of Wisconsin (WOW) is a newly formed coalition of Wisconsin citizens that oppose large scale extraction of water for bottled drinking water from Wisconsin springs that feed surface waters.

At Monday night's meeting on May 22 at the Westfield Elementary School, 109 people from as far away as Appleton, Hilbert and Madison attended an organizational meeting to form a coalition to protect Wisconsin's springs and aquifers.

The co-chairs were Jon Steinhaus, Briggsville, from Columbia County; and Mike Jacobi, Wautoma, a member of the Friends of the Mecan group.

Jacobi read off a list of counties, townships, organizations, lake associations and other governing bodies that have passed resolutions in opposition of The Perrier Group of America's proposal without a full Environmental Impact Statement and extensive hydrogeological studies and public hearings.

He also said 12 counties had passed opposition to spring water extraction resolutions for bottling purposes and concerns for the human environment during the recent Conservation Congress voting, and that taking 700,000 gallons of water from Big Springs per day 12 months a year will eventually have an adverse affect on local aquifers, lakes, streams and the watershed.

Members of Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited were in attendance as was Todd Ambs of River Alliance, who suggested the group check The Perrier Group of America's monitoring results and insist there be an extensive drought management plan.

An action plan of the group includes:

• defeat Perrier’s Big Springs bottling plant and water removal proposal,
• circulate petitions to oppose bottling companies from using the state’s waters and calling for a full Environmental Impact Statement, extensive hydrogeological studies and public hearings in the Big Springs issue,
• publish a flyer;
• urge citizens to write letters to state representatives and press,
• involve and inform other community groups, boycott Perrier/Nestle products,
• have speakers available for summer events,
• lobby and educate legislators,
• compile a contact list,
• and explore legal options.

It was announced there will be a "Rally at Thunder Valley" from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at the Thunder Valley Restaurant in Wisconsin Dells.

The event is sponsored by Waterkeepers of Wisconsin (WOW), featuring speakers, music, and a silent auction offering a wildlife print by Arthur G. Anderson, matted and framed appraised at $350.

On Tuesday, June 13, there will be special referendum elections in the townships of New Haven, Adams County and Newport, Columbia County.  The group urges voters in those areas to vote "yes" to oppose the use of water from the aquifers for commercial purposes and the building of the proposed water bottling plant in the Big Springs area.

For additional information, call Jon Steinhaus at 608-981-2534 or Mike Jacobi at 920-787-4808.