In February, with strong bipartisan support, the State Senate passed SB 37. The bill would restore the protections for Wisconsin's wetlands by giving the DNR the regulatory authority it lost with January's Supreme Court decision.
The bill is now bogged down in the Assembly, where the home builders association, the realtors association, and agricultural interests are working to delay passage. Opponents have also criticized flaws in SB 37 but the Senate's bipartisan sponsors have responded to those concerns and pledged to correct problems with the bill if the Assembly passes it.
The bill is before Rep. Neal Kedzie's committee. Contact Rep. Kedzie and let him know you want strong protection for Wisconsin's wetlands. And contact your own elected officials and let them hear the same message.
Seventy organizations have signed a joint letter calling for wetlands protections. The conservation and environmental groups signing the letter represent more than 300,000 citizens in Wisconsin. Let your legislators know that the public supports wetlands protection.