Upcoming:  Earth Day Yoga

 This Earth Day before you head out to do a lake clean up or take some other action to protect the earth, join Yoga Instructor, Beth Anne Yeager, for an all level yoga class.  In lieu of a typical yoga class fee of $10-$15 will be a donation to Midwest Environmental Advocates.  Earth Day Yoga will be held at Midwest Environmental Advocates, 551 West Main Street, Suite 200 on Saturday, April 22nd, 10-11:30 a.m. followed by a half hour optional meditation.  Bring a mat, towel, block, or strap if you have them. 

Working for Public Health in Rural Wisconsin

Rural Wisconsin is in the midst of a public health crisis as rural drinking water supplies in the northeastern area of the state continue to become contaminated with harmful bacteria that makes people – including kids – sick.  And the financial burden of replacing a well is staggering for many rural Wisconsin families. 

Some of the well contamination has been linked to large volumes of liquid and solid manure applied in February and March when the ground is frozen, covered with snow, or melting.  MEA is actively pursuing policy solutions to restrict and eliminate this antiquated manure management practice in order to protect rural drinking water. To learn more, click here. The DNR is preparing revisions to manure management regulations for Wisconsin’s largest livestock factories, and will present its final proposal to the Natural Resources Board in May.  Contact Andrew Hanson at ahanson@midwestadvocates.org to learn how you can help protect public health in rural Wisconsin.

Sustaining Communities by Keeping Big-Boxes in Check

MEA is helping groups in three Wisconsin communities respond to the construction of new Wal-Mart stores.

In Hartford and Sturgeon Bay, MEA is actively supporting community groups that are standing up against irresponsible big-box development.  MEA is commenting on wetland permits, drafting citizen Open Meetings Law complaints, drafting citizen guides to annexation, and rezoning and supplying these groups with the legal tools to get their voice heard.   

In Jefferson, MEA represented the Coalition for a Better Jefferson in their effort to use direct legislation to require impact studies before annexing land for large developments.  Although ultimately unsuccessful, the effort served as a positive step towards opening the process to public participation and reasoned development decision.  MEA hopes these proactive measures will receive more and more acceptance over the years

Help get the message out: Big-box sprawl is destroying sustainable communities!  Well-planned communities are better for both the environment and the communities that live in that environment.  Contact Brent Denzin at bdenzin@midwestadvocates.org for more information. 

The Little Stream that Could – Shielding Rural Streams from Industrial Pollution

MEA is working with Wisconsin Environmental Law Advocates (WELA) to ensure that the DNR is implementing clean water laws (two WELA members are pictured to the right).  The DNR is proposing to issue two pollution discharge permits on a small stream that flows through a rural park in a southern Wisconsin village. The stream is already heavily polluted, and yet the DNR is poised to issue a permit for a new discharge of pollution to that stream.  MEA submitted written objections to the permits, urging the DNR to prohibit the new pollution discharge and ensure that the existing permit will not contribute more pollution to the stream.   Click here to read MEA’s objections.   

Protecting Urban Waterways from Polluted Stormwater

A storm is brewing over stormwater pollution in Wisconsin.  MEA is working with its grassroots partners to protect urban streams and rivers from stormwater runoff from streets, parking lots, and new suburban development.  On March 17, MEA filed a legal challenge to the DNR’s issuance of a “general permit” to 150 Wisconsin municipalities to allow them discharge polluted stormwater to urban waterways.  MEA is pressing for better requirements in the general permit that will ensure that urban waters will be protected from stormwater runoff.  Click here to read the legal challenge.

Supporting Protections for Tribal Waters

In February we submitted written comments to the Department of Natural Resources and testified in support of the Lac du Flambeau's application to the Environmental Protection Agency to get approval to protect waters within the reservation boundaries.  Click here to read MEA’s comment letter.  Without the approval of the EPA, these reservation waters fall into a regulatory void.  Outside the reservation, the State of Wisconsin has been approved by the EPA to set standards to protect state waters.  Inside the reservation, the Lac du Flambeau are seeking a similar approval from the EPA.   Click here to read an article by MEA Executive Director Melissa Scanlan.

Speaking Out for the Great Lakes

In March our Executive Director, Melissa Scanlan, participated in a panel discussing the ownership and management of Lake Michigan as part of Milwaukee Public Television's 4th Street Forum.   Later in the month, she gave a workshop at Waukesha's Water Wise Conference on the policy changes needed to promote water conservation. 

Hiring a New Attorney

MEA is seeking a staff attorney with one or more years of experience in administrative advocacy, litigation, and community organizing.  Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.  Click here to read the job posting.

Announcing MEA's Annual Report 2005 Available Online

MEA's 2005 Annual Report (covering September 1, 2004-August 31, 2005) is available.  Click here to read it!