May 1, 2001
For more information, contact:

Caryl Terrell, Sierra Club 608-256-0565

Charlie Luthin, WI Wetlands Assoc. 608-250-9971

Madison, WI:  Conservationists applauded introduction of the negotiated wetlands bill in the Special Session of the Legislature called by Governor Scott McCallum.

“We are very satisfied with the final compromise bill,” said Charlie Luthin, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.  “We commend Senator Baumgart and Representative Kedzie for their hard work and diligence in reaching an agreement.”

“This bill effectively restores protection to an estimated one million acres of our state’s isolated wetlands,” stated Kirk McVoy, Wisconsin Wetlands Association Board member.  “We are pleased that the Special Session bill includes elements from both the original "status quo" bill passed by the Senate, SB 37, and Rep. Kedzie's bill, AB 322.”

“Wisconsin Wetlands Association has been "at the table" daily for the past several weeks with members of the development community, in particular the Wisconsin Realtors Association, and with the legislators, to hammer out a solution to the legislative impasse we have experienced for the past three months,” continued Luthin.

“This process has been a real roller coaster,” said Caryl Terrell, Legislative Coordinator for the Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter.  “When negotiations came to halt last Wednesday we were all very frustrated.  We are grateful to Senator Chuck Chvala, Governor Scott McCallum and Representative Neal Kedzie for breaking the impasse and finalizing the deal.”

“Without question, those of us who enjoy hunting, fishing and trapping in this state spend millions of dollars with conservation organizations, state government and federal government to support programs designed to help wildlife and slow the trend of wetland losses,” stated Jeff Bord, Executive Director of Wisconsin Waterfowl Association.  “Sportsmen and women believe strongly in our state's natural resources and we are anxious about getting wetland protection in place.”

“From the get-go, the Wisconsin Stewardship Network has involved a full range of sporting groups in raising awareness about the need for quick passage of wetlands legislation,” stated Todd Hanson, State Coordinator of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network.  “Our website kept people informed, and our joint mailings and press conferences emphasized our common purpose in wanting wetlands protected.”

"Aldo Leopold has to be smiling today.  We can once again hold our heads high in Wisconsin as a state that has set an example for wetlands protection in the 21st century.  This process began with strong bipartisan leadership from Senator Baumgart, Cowles and Schultz and a great solution to protect our wetlands has been reached thanks to the tireless efforts of Rep. Kedzie, Governor McCallum and Senator Chvala," stated Todd Ambs, executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin.  "On behalf of the rivers of Wisconsin, we offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this solution possible."

“Speaking for the Lake Superior Greens who value the wetlands that serve to save properties from flooding, we hope for expedited passage of this bill,” stated Kathryn McKenzie, Lake Superior Greens.  “Douglas County, the City of Superior, inland lakes, rivers and Lake Superior need protection from unregulated wetland development.”

Explanation of the bill:

The bill gives authority over ALL isolated wetlands lost by the federal government to the state.  Any further filling of isolated wetlands without proper DNR water quality certification will be illegal once this bill is passed.   Although there was significant pressure by development interests to "give up" small wetlands by allowing filling of wetlands less than 2-5 acres, and the agri-business community wanted to change drainage ditch law with this bill, we would not agree to sacrificing any of our wetlands and drew the line on any new water issues.

Several main issues feature prominently in this bill:

• a federal standard (1987 Army Corps Manual) is being used to define wetlands;
• a timeline is established for DNR to make water quality certification determinations for isolated, "non-federal" wetlands, and rules will be created for establishing a timeline for all wetland applications;
• small (<1 acre) isolated wetlands that are proposed to be filled for "public safety" as authorized by a local government entity or a state or federal transportation agency, may have an expedited review process for "practicable alternatives," following public notice, public comment and possibly a public hearing and/or judicial review.  DNR could still deny the water quality certification based on the wetland's functional values.
• DNR will be able to inspect wetland projects that have been permitted, and would need to obtain a warrant for suspected unauthorized wetland fill activities.

For more information about the values and functions of wetlands, visit the website of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, http://www.wiscwetlands.org.

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