Continued funding of lake grant programs

WAL defends lake grant programs to ensure continued funding for current programs and Lake Coordinator staff positions, and expansion of new programs like the Aquatic Invasive Species grant program.

Lake grants have helped hundreds of lake organizations conduct lake research, develop/implement management strategies and plans, and receive financial assistance for lake projects. Counties have used lake classification grants to develop ordinances, lake protection grants to establish shoreland restoration cost-share programs, and AIS grants to support prevention programs and AIS coordinator positions.

In addition to defending current funding levels and positions, WAL has participated in several successful initiatives to increase funding and expand eligibility:

• In 2007, we worked with the legislature to increase the state funding for aquatic invasive species control grants by 250%. $7.6 million will be available over the next two years.
  
  Read our letter of support to legislators for 2007-09 budget initiative to  increase AIS grant funding (PDF 36 KB)
  
  
• In 1997, we increased the Lake Protection fund by $1.4 million for lake classification grants
  
  
• In 1996, we successfully added non-profit organizations (such as Lake Associations) to the list of eligible parties for Lake planning grants, and increased cost sharing for grant programs to 75%
  
  
• In 1992, we increased funding to the Water Resources Account from the motorboat fuel tax. Funds used to establish lake protection grants and create state lake management specialist positions to provide technical assistance to lake communities and organizations.
  
  
• In 1992, we broadened Waterways Commission Grants to include the purchase of weed harvesting equipment, boater safety buoys, and navigational channel dredging.

Top

Lake District law revisions

In 2004, WAL successfully advocated for legislation (2004 Act 275) which clarified and improved Lake District governance and increased flexibility for citizens in lake districts. Changes to lake district law (Ch 33 Wis Stats) within 2004 Act 275 included modifications in the following areas:

• meeting scheduling and notification
• amending the budget
• annual meeting notice content
• special charge limitations
• nonlapsable funds
• getting items on the annual meeting agenda
• voting at the annual meeting

       Read our Lake District law revisions summary (PDF 72 KB)

in 1994, WAL successfully worked with the legislature to pass a law (1993 Wisconsin Act 167) that clarified lake district operations and expanded lake district authority. Among many provisions, the newly passed law:

• Gave lake districts the authority to assume sanitary powers.
  These powers include the ability for lake districts to require inspection of onsite sewage systems, collect solid waste, construct water and sewer systems, make drainage improvements, and other powers.
  
  
• Authorized lake districts to appropriate money for conservation of natural resources directly or through payment to non-profit conservation organizations
  
  
• Clarified that lake districts can adopt boating ordinances and operate boater safety patrols (for which they are eligible to receive state funding)

Top

Exceptional and Outstanding resource water designations

In 2006, WAL testified in support of the petition to add 1,100 river miles in northern Wisconsin to the Outstanding Resource Waters/Exceptional Resource Waters list. The 433 proposed river segments are among the most pristine in Northern Wisconsin.

ORWs typically do not have any direct discharges of pollutants from sources such as industry or municipal sewage treatment plants. Currently there are 97 lakes and 6 flowages designated as ORWs. There are no lakes designated as ERWs.

An Outstanding or Exceptional Resource Water classification gives Wisconsin the authority to limit pollution from:

• grading and dredging on river banks,
• sewage and industrial sources of pollution and
• depletion by high capacity groundwater wells.

Designation as an ORW also offers some additional increased protections. For example, under Wisconsin's current groundwater law, automatic review of proposed high capacity well permits is only triggered if a waterbody is designated as a trout stream, ERW, or ORW.

Top

Restoring an independent DNR Secretary

Many conservation groups, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, support the return of appointment authority for the DNR Secretary to the Natural Resources Board (NRB). The Natural Resources Board appointed the DNR Secretary until 1995, when the process was changed to allow the Governor to appoint the Secretary.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes supports the return of appointment authority for the DNR Secretary to the Natural Resources Board. It is in the best interest of lakes and all the people who enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and living on lakes to have the DNR Secretary held solely accountable to the needs of the resource, the mission of the Department, and the guidance of the Natural Resource Board. Our lakes need effective leadership over time. Improving Wisconsin natural resources management means entrusting decisions to professional natural resource managers.

A bill has been introduced in the 2008-2010 legislative session (AB 138) that would have the appointment of the DNR Secretary decided by the Natural Resources Board rather than the Governor. The bill has broad bi-partisan support with 68 legislators signed on as co-sponsors. Many conservation groups, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes support this initiative.

In 2007, WAL supported two different bills that would have restored the appointment authority for the DNR Secretary to the Natural Resources Board. One of these bills (SB 15) passed the full Senate. We anticipate that bills on this issue will be introduced in future sessions.

      Read our testimony in support of the 2007 bill (PDF 22 KB)

Top

Public nuisance suit ability

In 2005, WAL vigorously opposed a bill (AB 278) that would have virtually eliminated the ability for state, county, and local governments to bring public nuisance suits. Public nuisance cases address significant and severe problems affecting public rights and private property rights that are unregulated under current law.

WAL was concerned that preventing by governments from addressing nuisances that have not been specifically regulated, that the State and local governments will lose their practical ability to protect public lands and waters against activities and uses that are clearly detrimental, but have not been the subject of any specific regulations.

This bill failed to pass.

Read our testimony in opposition to this bill (PDF 39 KB)

Press Release: Attorney General protects private rights by addressing public nuisances

Top

Lac du Flambeau treatment as a state application

In 2006, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency to be treated as a state under Section 518(e) of the Clean Water Act.

The Lac du Flambeau’s application for treatment of a state would enable the band to develop water quality standards for their tribal lands consisting of designated uses for lakes, rivers, and wetlands; water quality criteria to protect those designated uses; and an anti-degradation procedure to protect high quality resources.

Read WAL's letter of support (PDF 34 KB)

Press Release: Added protection for tribal waters will help our lakes

Top

Boating safety

Wisconsin lakes are a public resource enjoyed by boaters, anglers, swimmers, and others for fun in the sun. But some of these recreational activities can lead to conflict of safety concerns for other groups of users. WAL has supported initiatives to protect sensitive areas and keep Wisconsin lakes safe for everyone.

In 2005, WAL supported and advised on the drafting of Assembly Bill 248, which requires persons born after January 1, 1989 to have completed a boater education course before operating a boat. This bill was approved by the legislature and signed into law.

Read WAL's testimony (PDF 8 KB)

In 1995, at WAL's request, the legislature passed a law (1995 Wisconsin Act 152) which:

• clarified the authority of local units of governments to adopt boating regulations in order to protect public, health, safety, and environmental resources.
• authorized regulations on watercraft speed and the time and location of specified boating activities.
• Permit local boating regulations to be adopted by the majority of the cities, villages, or towns on a lake

A separate effort successfully worked to increase state funding for local boating safety patrols.

Top