Issue Position: Protecting Our Natural Resources

Issue Position

In perhaps no other area of Wisconsin are environmental issues more important than in the 1st Assembly District. Our economy, our health and our way of life are dependent on clean water. Manure management practices that may be acceptable in other parts of the state lead to contaminated ground and surface water in the karst region, with our shallow soil and cracked bedrock. I have strongly advocated for rules for manure management that are specific to the various geo-regions of the state. I am gratified that this has finally been accomplished and the new rules will take effect in the coming months. I am proud of our local farm community for supporting these changes along with continually implementing voluntary innovative practices that will help protect our water. The new rules received the overwhelming support of every major agricultural group in the state as well as all of the major conservation groups. There is work yet to be done, but there is now a clear path to a resolution to our contaminated water issues.

This session I introduced a budget amendment to begin a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study of the rivers of Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. These rivers are on the endangered waterways list and this study will pinpoint the sources of pollution. This study is a crucial step in returning them to their original state as clean, thriving trout streams.
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I led a coalition that fought successfully to restore funding to the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. This program has been a mainstay of Wisconsin's efforts to preserve natural areas and has been used extensively in our area. For this effort, I was named Policymaker of the Year by Gathering Waters, the statewide organization of land trusts. Additionally, I have been endorsed by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters in each of my elections and was named a Conservation Champion for 2018 by the Lake Michigan Stakeholders.

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