MEA Urges Support for, Strengthening of DNR's Runoff Standards
Upcoming hearings on NR 151 give you the chance to voice your support for clean water!

DNR is poised to make revisions to its regulations designed to reduce nonpoint source water pollution, also known as polluted runoff, and is now seeking citizen input through a series of public hearings around the State.
The rule revisions would affect sources of agricultural runoff - the largest source of water pollution in Wisconsin - as well as municipal stormwater and construction site erosion prevention. The proposed revisions are a step in the right direction, but DNR should move to strengthen the requirements and make a lasting and effective reduction in runoff pollution.

Please consider attending one of the upcoming public hearings on NR 151 to express your support for clean water and to urge further strengthening of the runoff standards. DNR will also accept written comments on the proposed changes through March 15.

Click here for more information about runoff and commenting at the public hearings.

MEA Calls on DNR to Fix 'Leaks' in Water Protection List

MEA submitted comments on DNR?s 2010 list of impaired Wisconsin waters. The Clean Water Act requires the creation of this list, which must include Wisconsin lakes, rivers, and streams that do not meet standards for healthy water. A comprehensive list is vital to cleaner Wisconsin waters because it triggers Clean Water Act processes that address the complex environmental dilemmas underlying impairments. MEA has identified areas where the 2010 list inadequately protects Wisconsin waters and is in violation of federal law.

Click here to read MEA's comments and learn more about the listing process.

DNR Approves Rosendale Dairy WPDES Permit Modification

Despite heartfelt testimony and public comments from hundreds of Wisconsin citizens concerned with surface and groundwater pollution from Rosendale Dairy, the DNR on Friday approved the dairy's request to modify its Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit to authorize an expansion to 8,300 head of cattle. Rosendale Dairy, in Fond du Lac County, is now poised to become Wisconsin?s largest concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO); the facility will land-apply nearly 100 million gallons of manure and wastewater each year in four major watersheds with existing nutrient and sediment pollution.

Learn more about Rosendale Dairy.

Hearings Set on Clean Energy Jobs Act

A landmark bill (SB-450 and AB-649) on Clean Energy is working its way through the Wisconsin legislature. A series of public hearings begin Wednesday, January 27th and run through mid-February. This legislation has the potential to create green jobs and take measurable action to reduce greenhouse gases that drive climate change. This is your chance to learn more about the issues and make your voice heard.

Learn more about the Clean Energy Jobs Act from MEA's partners, Wisconsin Environment and Clean Wisconsin as well as the Legislative Reference Bureau.