Wisconsin Clean Water Activist Endorses Dem Nominee, Tony Evers, for Governor

Madison, Wisconsin — Heavy field, analytical and organizing efforts in central Wisconsin continue as residents and communities work to protect surface and groundwater from pollution.

An important activist, Don Ystad of Rome, just endorsed Tony Evers (D) for governor.

This morning's endorsement sent by email is reproduced below.

By Don Ystad

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Our lakes are in trouble with ever increasing blue-green algae incidents, e coli readings above the safe swimming level, and Adams County tourism down 5% this past year while the rest of the state increased 3.2%. We need to level the playing field in Madison. While we've tried to remain non-political in the past, our water quality continues to degrade. Please consider the following before you vote in November.

Fellow Concerned Citizens,

I was visiting a friend at the Wauwatosa campaign office and Tony Evers stopped in to say hello to the staff. When he asked if anyone had questions, I asked what he would do to fix the water quality issues in the central sands area where I live. He began by talking about the many water issues all over Wisconsin, including Kewaunee and frac sand mining in the western part of the state. I was encouraged that he had a really good grasp of the water quality issues all around Wisconsin. He indicated that he would make the following changes to protect our water:

• First, he would appoint an independent head to the DNR to level the playing field
• next, he would bring back the DNR scientists to re-establish a fact based approach to resource management
• also, he would return the Natural Resources Board as an independent, non-political advisory group, with the power to affect our direction regarding our resources.
• And, Tony said he would work to establish a balance between agriculture and recreational needs, understanding that tourism and agriculture can co-exist

Polluted Wisconsin lake in central Wisconsin

I was impressed with his grasp of environmental issues, and the fact that he would look for a balance between our recreational lakes and our agricultural needs.

As I was explaining this to co-members of our Concerned Citizens core team, PACRS (Petenwell and Castle Rock Stewards) founder Rick Georgeson mentioned he worked in the school system with Tony Evers in Tomah and knows him very well. 

Rick says, “Tony is a real common-sense person, he works very well with other people, has solid principles, and is a great listener and team builder. He was well respected by the community.”  And, he added, “Tony will make a fine Governor.” This means a lot coming from the leader and founder of the PACRS organization.

I plan to vote for Tony and hope you will as well. Our lakes are showing the “business first” challenges of the current administration and we need to level the playing field. For those who might be offended by this recommendation of a change in our state government, I would ask you to think about the condition of our lakes and streams in our area, and consider the efforts of your neighbors, TriLakes and our Rome Town Board, who are trying to clean up our 14-Mile Creek Watershed. We can't do it without the support of our state government. It's time for a change.
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An Appeal for Safe Water from Colfax, Wisconsin

What kind of political party targets water?

'I've always felt that I had a 'forever clause' to have clean water to drink.'

Madison, Wisconsin—On March 15, some 100 people are expected to bus and drive from central Wisconsin to the state capitol building in Madison.

Small business owners, small farmers, used-to-be-retired folk, all kinds want assurance of safe, clean drinking, and surface water.

They face stiff opposition led by State Rep Scott Krug, (R-Nekoosa, Wisconsin) and other Republicans.

Republicans are pushing two bills that would decimate Wisconsin waters and offer protection to polluters and industrial interests that are literally sucking regions dry.
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From Dick Lamers of Dunn County in northwestern Wisconsin:

Dear Legislators,

Subject: GROUNDWATER BILL WOULD RESULT IN PERPETUAL AUTHORITY TO PUMP!

Reference: (Senate Bill 76, Assembly Bill 105)

Please stop and think about what these bills will do for your legacy and the impact it will have on the citizens of WI!

I don’t understand the justification for approving the unlimited use of water from our aquifers and the permit-approval process of these wells now being proposed with a 'forever' clause.

I’ve always felt that I had a 'forever clause' to have clean water to drink. That is one of the reasons I made a choice to move back to my home state. I was extremely proud of the environmental heritage that I remembered from my childhood and wanted it for my family. That is not the case for what I see happening today.

The 'Big Sell' used by some when this was last considered in 2016, was to keep talking about the 'certainty' of being able to pass on these permits to future buyers or family members (Corporations). There is no consideration for what happens when the permitted use causes catastrophic damage to the lives and well-being of their neighbors.

What about their certainty? When will you consider that this regulation has the potential of destroying whole communities? Who will stay in an area when the lakes dry up and people don’t have water to drink? (Companies buying bottled water for those affected is not a solution.)

These bills actually prohibit legal recourse when the use of these high-capacity wells prove to be detrimental to others.

Not allowing the research and study of the cumulative impact of these wells before approval or renewal, just passes the problem and harder decision making onto the next generation. If the 'greatest generation' helped develop our water ethics, then the least we can do is fight to uphold them.

I firmly believe one of your responsibilities in our society, is to protect me from these type of situations. I’m looking forward to seeing some of you STAND UP, LEAD, find a better way for ALL… of Your Constituents.

Please Vote No!

Respectfully submitted,

Dick Lamers
Colfax, WI 54730

Wisconsin Rivers

Wisconsin Republicans Target Water Again

Rome, Wisconsin relies on clean and safe water
The central Wisconsin community is a tourist
and recreational mecca fighting the current
of anti-public mania of Wisconsin Republicans.

In Wisconsin a coalition of citizen groups is getting riled again.

They want to stop ground and surface water from being plundered and poisoned by industrialized factory farms.

Republicans in the legislature are saying in effect, 'forget it, water warriors, we work for Big Ag.'

Pro-water forces are sounding the alarm about the "Death by a Thousand Straws' bill drafted by Republicans for Big Ag, against the interests of surrounding communities.

They oppose Senate Bill 76, (Assembly Bill 105), that will result in "PERMANENT damage to our state’s waters – lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and residential water wells. Written in its current state, this bill does not solve any problems for our state groundwater and surface water issues and only allows our current problems to continue," (Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network and Concerned Rome Citizens).

By Rick Georgeson, Steve Raap, John Endrizzi, Rick Antin, and Don Ystad

Concerned Friends and Neighbors,

The recently proposed Senate Bill (SB) 76 is bad for us. It's a follow-on to the bad water bill from last session that failed to get approved.  And, now we hear there is a companion bill being introduced in the Assembly. Many of you helped to defeat the bills last session, and we are going to need all of you and more to help defeat this one. The deck is stacked against us as the administration further disembowels the DNR and as large industrial farm lobbies pour in more money trying to influence our legislators. So, it's just us, the largest pool of lobbyists in the state, and we have the ability to affect change. This mailing is informational.; Soon, you will be asked to take action to protect what's important to you and your family. And, it will cost you only a few minutes of your time.

Oppose SB76/AB105,  'Death by 1,000 Straws'

Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network and Concerned Rome Citizens, (Facebook), opposes SB76/AB105 and believe passage of this bill will result in PERMANENT damage to our state’s waters – lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and residential water wells. Written in its current state, this bill does not solve any problems for our state groundwater and surface water issues and only allows our current problems to continue. 

Wisconsin is a mecca for recreation and tourism. Allowing the passage of SB76/AB105 would land a direct blow to the thriving tourism industry upon which many of our rural communities depend.  Those who travel to Wisconsin will be forced to find alternate vacation destinations to boat, fish, and recreate as lake levels continue to be drawn down.

SB76/AB105 will guarantee the continued drawdown of many lakes, trout streams, and residential wells if passed by our current legislature. Unlimited permits are unprecedented in Wisconsin and pose a serious and immediate danger to our waterways and our residents. Periodic review of high capacity well permits is essential to protect our waters. 

The transfer provision in SB76/AB105 is of greatest concern and encourages elected officials to purposefully and directly ignore the state’s Public Trust Doctrine, which states the waters of Wisconsin belong to all of us. Transferring water rights with the sale of a property is in direct conflict with that doctrine outlined within our state's Constitution. Transfer wording should be deleted entirely from this bill.

As Wisconsin residents, we depend and trust our elected officials to enact legislation that will ensure our surface and groundwater will be here for our children and grandchildren to use and enjoy.  Moreover, we have property rights and hold our representatives to the expectation that they will protect our interests over big industry donors who are attempting to buy preferential legislation. 

Numerous scientific studies predicted reduced surface and groundwater due to overpumping from high capacity wells. Statewide, lakes, streams and wells are drying up and we are demanding legislative action to protect our water NOW. Do not vote to pass legislation that will make Wisconsin water issues worse and directly impact our tourism and recreational industry. SB76/AB105 will not stop or prevent further damage to the families of Wisconsin… it ensures the damage will continue.

Concerned Rome Citizens values the lakes in the Rome area that contribute in a large way to the $300,000,000 annual tourism revenue in Adams County.  The billion dollars in valuation of lake properties in Adams County represent a major source of revenue to commerce, schools and community services.  These lakes communities must be protected.

Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network (SRWN) is a statewide coalition of thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations dedicated to preserving the environment while maintaining the health and economic vitality of rural communities. We are concerned about Wisconsin’s water resources and support sustainable water use. We cannot support legislation that gives Wisconsin’s water to the highest bidder at the detriment of the citizens.