Defending the Public Trust

MEA recently testified in front of the Natural Resources Board urging the passage of emergency rules that would protect the Public Trust in our rivers and lakes from the environmentally-destructive Act 118.  The so-called "Job Creation Act" has the potential to allow significant harm to Wisconsin's Public Trust waters by giving exemptions and general permits for many shoreland development activities that previously required DNR review and balancing of the impact on public rights in these waters.

MEA advocated for the broad inclusion of areas deemed of "special natural resource interest," where otherwise exempted activities could not take place without obtaining a general or individual permit.  Ultimately, the Natural Resources Board approved emergency rules that protected only 30% of the state's lakes, rivers and streams.  Citizens must now do the state's job in protecting our water resources and monitoring damage done to public waterways.  If you see destructive development activity, call MEA right away to report it.

For The Capital Times article on the emergency rules, click here.

For a Wisconsin State Journal opinion editorial on the emergency rules written by Executive Director Melissa Scanlan, click here.