For Immediate Release February 17, 2010

Contact:      Lori Grant
                        lgrant@wisconsinrivers.org
                       608-257-2424, ext. 111

New Bill Aims to Sustain Wisconsin’s Water

A coalition of 25 organizations representing thousands of Wisconsin conservationists are urging legislators to pass a new groundwater protection bill before the legislative session ends in April.  By now, most people have heard about once-unthinkable water shortages around the state: Waukesha does not have enough supply to maintain their population and are seeking to pipe water from Lake Michigan; communities in Taylor and Clark counties are considering recycling wastewater to enhance dwindling supplies; for the past several years the Little Plover River south of Stevens Point has run dry; and Long Lake near Waupaca has completely disappeared.   A bill will be proposed at the end of the month to enhance protection of our buried treasure, and deserves swift passage.

Ninety-seven percent of Wisconsin’s communities and seventy-five percent of its people rely on groundwater for drinking water supply.  Ninety-nine percent of the water for crop irrigation and livestock production is groundwater.  Industries from beer-making to tourism rely on groundwater, and as the source for springs, lakes, rivers and wetlands, the state’s fisheries and most outdoor recreation depend upon groundwater. 

From a national perspective Wisconsin is water rich, but in parts of the state, increasing demands from a growing population, expansion of cropland, a successful economy and changes in climate are resulting in water being pumped out of the ground at a far greater rate than it can be replenished.  People, property values, businesses and fish will continue to lose without a comprehensive system for sustainable management of groundwater resources. 

The proposed bill, spearheaded by Senator Mark Miller and Representative Spencer Black, is expected to:

• Authorize the Department of Natural Resources to identify areas where coordinated management of groundwater is needed to avoid or correct harm done to groundwater supplies and associated lakes, streams and wetlands, and to oversee development and execution of groundwater management plans;

• Create a process for the scientific review of new wells to prevent impacts to sensitive natural resources; and,

• Require consideration of conservation measures to ensure new groundwater withdrawals are used efficiently.

Wisconsin’s Groundwater Protection Law, signed on Earth Day 2004, was recognized as a first step in managing groundwater resources; the time has come to move ahead with improvements to ensure responsible, balanced use of our finite resources.

Chippewa Valley Outdoor Resource Alliance
Clean Wisconsin
Concerned Citizens of Newport        
Dane County Conservation League
Eau Claire Rod and Gun Club
Friends of the Mukwonago River
Milwaukee Riverkeeper
1000 Friends of Wisconsin    
Trout Unlimited – Wisconsin State Council
Waukesha County Environmental Action League
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
Midwest Environmental Advocates, Inc.      
River Alliance of Wisconsin
Rock River Coalition
Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter
Town and Country Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.
Vernon Alliance Concerned for Environmental Safety
Westfork Sportsman’s Club
Wisconsin Environment
Wisconsin Federation of Great Lakes Sport Fishing Clubs
Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters
Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
Valley Stewardship Network