May 2005
Protecting Trout Streams
SUCCESS! Representing a grassroots
group of farmers and conservationists in Jackson County,
Midwest Environmental Advocates signed a settlement that will stop
Sedelbauer Farms, a 2,300-head livestock factory, from sending manure into two valuable trout
streams: Tank Creek and a tributary to the
Trempealeau River. The proposed settlement, if approved by the Court, will require
Sedelbauer Farms to install manure storage, build a confinement facility to remove
cattle from dirt lots, contain potential run-off from the feed storage
areas, and revegetate outdoor animal exercise areas, at an estimated cost of up
to $750,000. The settlement also provides $40,000 in fees, costs,
penalties and a contribution to Wisconsin Trout Unlimited for sediment
reduction and habitat restoration in the Tank Creek and Trempealeau River
watersheds.
To read a La Crosse Tribune article on the settlement, click here .
To listen to the Wisconsin Public Radio story, click here .
Advocating for Clean Air and Clean Government
The Republican-led State Legislature continued its
assault on both clean air and clean government by introducing the Dirty Air Bill
(AB 277) last month. The proposed bill could allow the largest sources of air
pollution in the state to avoid construction permit requirements and prevent
neighbors from commenting on new air pollution sources in their neighborhoods.
The bill would also eliminate periodic review of pollution levels by allowing
permits to never expire. To add insult to injury, the legislative leadership
tried to hide the Dirty Air Bill from the public, giving less than 24 hours
notice before the public hearing.
The politicians must have known you would disapprove of
this special interest legislation. They tried to hide the Dirty Air Bill from
the public, giving less than 24 hours notice before the public hearing. However,
Midwest Environmental Advocates responded on short
notice to represent the public interest
in clean air and testified against the bill at the State Capitol.
This radical bill
undermines the very basis of our economic prosperity:
our clean and abundant resources and high quality of life.
Additionally, our law student intern testified before a DNR hearing in March and our Executive Director testified before the Natural Resources Board hearing in April on an administrative rule package creating registration and general air permits that loosen government oversight for over 1,500 companies.
To read our testimony, click here.
To read a Milwaukee Journal Sentinal article on the Dirty Air Bill click here, and on the Natural Resources Board action, click here .
Shaping the Future of Great Lakes Water
Midwest Environmental Advocates is working to ensure sound water policy
to address the growing demand for water from the Great Lakes. On April 27, 2005,
Jodi Habush Sinykin, Of Counsel to MEA, spoke at the Public
Policy Forum Conference, "Solving the Water Puzzle: In Search of a Water
Management Policy for Southeastern Wisconsin." Addressing impediments and
potential solutions to water management, she was able to share
some initial research from MEA's latest policy project: a
comprehensive Water Report that plainly
sets forth the legal and policy implications of proposals to divert
To read an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the conference, click here.
Keeping the "Clean Waters Clean"
On April 11th,
For details on the Conservation Congress votes, including breakdown by county, click here.
To read more about MEA's work on Exceptional and Outstanding Resource Waters, click here.
Joining the Waters, October 22, 2005
Save the Date! Midwest
Environmental Advocates is working on an exciting gathering with a steering
committee of tribal representatives and conservation groups. “Joining the Waters: A Forum on Tribal Sovereignty and Water
Quality in
To learn more about tribal
sovereignty and treaty rights in northern
Collaborating on Clean Water
Midwest Environmental Advocates is
working with family farmers and local
officials on a Manure Spreading Task Force assembled by Dane County Executive
Kathleen Falk in the wake of recent fishkills on highly valuable trout
streams.
Our goal is to find a workable solution to the persistent
problem of spreading liquid manure on frozen and snow-covered ground each
spring, when the risk of runoff and toxic fishkills is greatest.
Promoting Renewable Energy
Visit with MEA staff and interns at our booth at the Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair, June 17-19th, 2005, at the ReNew the Earth Institute near Stevens Point, WI. The fair offers hundreds of workshops, demonstrations and exhibits. This annual festival is an educational, family-friendly event with organic food, inspirational speakers and hands-on activities for all ages.
To learn more about the 2005 gathering, including
registration, transportation and workshop info, click here.
702 E. Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53703
Telephone:
608.251.5047 Fax: 608.268.0205
Email: advocate@midwestadvocates.org Web:
www.midwestadvocates.org