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Legislative and policy updates
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Wisconsin Association of Lakes individual members and contacts of member lake groups receive detailed analysis of policy initiatives that WAL is actively working on or supporting and notifications of opportunities to participate in the policy making process. Our policy work is entirely supported by member dues and generous donations. Please join us or donate to support our continued work on behalf of Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes.
Aquatic invasive species policy
Aquatic invasive species transport bill (AB 162/SB 123)
This bill offers some technical changes to improve upon the “illegal to transport” language that was passed in the supplemental budget bill in May of 2008. All aquatic plants and animals would be required to be removed from boats or any other equipment before it is transported on public highways. Enforcement authority is also broadened under the bill. A public hearing was held before the Assembly Natural Resources committee on May 6, 2009; an Executive Session was held on the bill in the Senate committee on May 6, 2009.
Guide to following the legislative process.
More on WAL’s AIS policy work.
Invasive Species Classification Administrative rule (NR 40).
On April 22, 2009 the Department of Natural Resources Natural Resource Board (NRB) approved the proposed Invasive Species Classification rule; the rule will no be forwarded to the legislature for final approval. The rule—which has been under development for the last four years—classifies invasive species into two categories: prohibited and restricted. The rule also requires several preventative measures to limit spread of invasive species, and includes permit and enforcement provisions.
Role of administrative rules and the rulemaking process.
Read WAL’s comments on NR 40.
Shoreland policy
The Slow no wake bill (SB 12) has passed both houses of the legislature, and is awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law. This bill establishes a statewide slow no wake zone for motorboats within 100 feet of a lake’s shoreline. Slow-no-wake zones may be extended farther away from the shore or established less than 100 feet from the shoreline through passage of local boating ordinances.
Read WAL’s testimony on SB 12 and learn more about other shoreland policy work
Polluted runoff policy
On April 14th, 2009, the Governor signed the “Clean Lakes” bill (AB 3 / SB 5) into law. Wisconsin now has a statewide law which prohibits the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, with certain reasonable exceptions. The prohibitions against display, sale, and use of phosphorus lawn fertilizer will take effect next year (the bill specified that changes will take effect 12 months after it was signed into law).
Read articles about phosphorus in lawn fertilizer, WAL’s testimony, and learn about other policy work on polluted runoff
Other policy issues
State Budget
The legislature’s Joint Finance Committee suspended meetings this week upon news of a worsening budget deficit. The original two-year state budget deficit was estimated to be $5 billion, that figure could be revised upward to as much as $6 billion, largely due to lower than predicted tax collections. Additional re-estimates of revenues may make the budget bleaker.
Independent DNR Secretary bill (AB 138 / SB 113)
This bill would restore authority to the DNR Natural Resource Board (NRB) to appoint the DNR Secretary. Currently, the Governor appoints the DNR Secretary. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
Guide to following the legislative process.
Read about work on other policy issues important to lakes
Mercury Products LRB 0178/3
This proposal would regulate the sale of non-essential household products to which mercury has been added during formulation and manufacture including fever thermometers, manometers (instruments for measuring pressure), thermostats, instruments and measuring devices, switches and relays, and household items. Every lake in Wisconsin is currently under a mercury advisory.
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WAL launches new website!
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The Wisconsin Association of Lakes website (www.wisconsinlakes.org) has a brand new look and expanded content! We invite you explore our new site. You’ll find:
- Information on our current and past lake policy initiatives and work
- Tips on communicating with policy makers and lake community members,
- The roles the Legislature, executive branch, court system, administrative rules, and local governments play in lake policy
- Archives of past publications, including reports, past e-lake letters, and our quarterly publication The Lake Connection
- Online calendar of lake related events across the state
- Expanded coverage on lake science topics including: aquatic invasive species, lake levels, groundwater, watersheds, and many more
- Resources for lake groups including tips on starting and running a group, lake grants, choosing a consultant, and ways citizens can get involved in local lake protection.
We welcome your feedback about our new site and suggestions for additional topics to include.
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Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference is June 19th
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Join us June 19th for the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference at the Telemark Resort and Conference Center in Cable Wisconsin. Visit our website for event details and online registration
The Conference is a great opportunity to network with area lake group representatives, waterfront property owners, volunteers, local decision-makers, and others interested in protecting Wisconsin’s water resources. Lake protection and restoration success stories from area groups will be featured at this event, along with results from collaborative projects to achieve positive change on our lakes. Other sessions will explore ways to address land use concerns and zoning enforcement challenges.
Presentations include
Lakewide Conservation Stories
First, hear about how the Deer Lake Conservancy built its capacity to successfully fund and carry out an ambitious watershed phosphorus reduction goal. Then learn more about a citizen-led 3-year collaborative project on Bony Lake to restore vital habitat in the shorelands and shallows around this lake.
Zoning Enforcement Challenges
Hear several county officials describe the process they each follow to enforce their shoreland zoning ordinances. The discussion will be based on the description of a specific zoning ordinance violation scenario. The panel will describe the enforcement options at each stage and the problems associated with particular courses of action. To wrap up, our panel will address questions from the audience.
Zoning for Shoreland Owners
Learn how the specific ordinance components of shoreland zoning work together to protect lakes. Then we’ll move into the legal processes of applying for permits, variances, conditional use permits, and appeals. We’ll explore questions such as: Where does shoreland zoning apply? What are the purposes of shoreland zoning? How do our shoreland living decisions affect lake-wide property values, water quality, fisheries and wildlife?
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Are you worried about low lake levels?
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If you missed the May 2nd seminar on Declining Lake Levels, presentations and materials from the event are available on our website.
Save the Date!
Low Lake Levels in Northern Wisconsin: a workshop on our changing lakes
July 28, 2009
8:00 AM to 2 PM
Waters of Minocqua
Learn more about:
- Implications of climate change in Northern Wisconsin.
- Connections between groundwater and surface water levels.
- Which types of lakes, in which landscape settings, are most susceptible to water level declines.
- How Northern Wisconsin’s lakes are changing and what these changes mean for long-term lake health.
- Water level management of impounded systems.
- Balancing competing water uses on the Wisconsin River system.
- Ways we can adapt to our changing lakes.
Online agenda and registration coming soon!
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Promote AIS prevention with new AIS songs
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A group of award-winning Wisconsin songwriters have teamed up to produce three songs focused on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, which are threatening lakes in the state. The songs are in three genres (folk, rock, and rockabilly) and are available on the UW-Extension website.
The folk song The Ballad of Aquatic Invasive Species was written by Scott Gatzke, the 2004 winner of the Great American Songwriters Contest.
”One Bait, One Lake” is a rock tune written by Andy Isham, a songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, working primarily with his band the Treats, whose second full length release 'Reservoir Tales' was selected as Madison's record of the year by the Isthmus
“Clean Boats, Clean Waters” is a rockabilly rendition by Jim James, an independent artist and with his band, Jim James and the Damn Shames.
Please use these songs creatively. Promote them to your local radio stations, or forward them to your friends, play them on your boombox at the boat landing.
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DNR announces recipients of $1.3 million in AIS grants
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More than 20 local governments, lake districts and conservation groups will be awarded the grants to prevent invasive species from being introduced to new lakes, to control them where they’ve become a problem, and to respond rapidly when an aquatic invasive species is detected in new water for the first time.
The state’s aquatic invasive species grant program began in 2003 and has provided $10.2 million to fund aquatic invasive species programs and projects. This round of funding was highly competitive. There were more than 140 applications, and requested monies were more than twice the amount of money available. The high quality of the projects being funded reflects what works and what research shows is needed, allowing Wisconsin to tackle the problem strategically and on a more regional basis.
New administrative rules governing the grant program effective this summer make some changes for the next round of grant applications, due Aug. 1, 2009. The changes align grant priorities with the best scientific knowledge to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and to manage them effectively. They encourage regional efforts while ensuring small projects can compete for funding.
A list of grant recipients is available online.
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Many citizens have something to say to local officials, but need a little help making sure their message is heard. The River Alliance of Wisconsin is hosting a workshop May 9 at the River Arts Center in Sauk Prairie to help citizens make sure their voices are heard.
The Communicating Environmentally workshop is intended to provide inspiration for citizen involvement in local and state decisions, guidance for wading through the decision-making process for local governments, and training in developing and delivering messages that influence decisions that affect the environment. The workshop will feature Representative Steve Hilgenberg, District 51, who will speak about the importance of civic involvement. The University of Stevens Point Center for Land Use Education will present about how to stay on top of the government decision making process. Dorothy Lagerroos, retired Environmental Studies and Government Professor at Northland College, will provide hands-on training in developing and getting your message across.
Each workshop begins at 10:00 a.m., includes lunch, and will conclude at 3:00 p.m. A nominal fee of $10.00 to cover lunch is requested, and registration is required for lunch planning purposes. To register, e-mail or call Lori Grant at the River Alliance by May 4 at lgrant@wisconsinrivers.org , 608-257-2424 ext. 111.
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Interested in more lake news and supporting statewide lake work?
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Policy updates and other special messages are sent to Wisconsin Association of Lakes individual members and individuals associated with member lake groups.
All of our advocacy, public policy, and legislative work is funded by membership dues and donations. We rely on your generosity to keep our advocacy and policy work alive.
If you are receiving this message as a forward, please consider joining or donating to WAL. Your contributions make our work possible.
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