Venture Dairy Member Alert

Online voting is now open until tonight at 7:00 pm for the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) spring public hearings.

Your input is important!

WCC is a group of citizen advisors to the DNR, providing recommendations to the legislature and affecting policy pertaining to fishing, hunting, wildlife, natural resources and the environment.

There are 57 questions you can answer, but “no opinion” is an option for each question.

The questions, discussed below, can be found in the category of WCC questions, numbered 31-57 (Note – you have an option in the beginning to skip the DNR Fish Management section, questions 1-29, and the Natural Resources Board question 30):

38. Do you support WCC opposition to construction of a new 42-mile segment of the Enbridge Line 5 crude oil pipeline in Ashland and Iron Counties to replace the existing portion of the Line 5 pipeline that bisects the Reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa?

39. Do you support WCC opposition to issuance of any permits for the Line 5 project by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at the conclusion of its EIS process?

According to Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), this is an opportunity for Wisconsin residents to voice support for the Line 5 relocation project in northern Wisconsin. Line 5 is an oil and gas pipeline that traverses northern Wisconsin and Michigan, and is vital energy infrastructure.

WMC is encouraging members to vote “no” to both of these questions. By voting no, Wisconsin residents have a chance to demonstrate that we can have reliable, safe energy and a healthy environment.

Venture Dairy Cooperative is encouraging you to vote “no” to the following... (40,41,55 and 56) due to unintended consequences and their meaning within the department.

#40. Would you support legislation to require perennial native species vegetative buffers of 50 feet along rivers and streams and 16.5 feet along ditches not covered by local zoning ordinances under Wisconsin’s Shoreland Management Program in NR 115?

#44. Should the Wisconsin Conservation Congress support DNR’s use of a fact-specific determination process for high capacity well applications that considers environmental impacts such as potential effects on groundwater protection areas, water loss, degradation of safe drinking water or groundwater, and impacts when combined with other wells to springs, navigable waters and public water systems?

#55. Do you favor the DNR working with the Legislature to restore local control by allowing counties to develop ordinances to protect their lakes, rivers and wetlands?

#56. Do you favor the Conservation Congress working with the legislature to add more positions to the Office of Applied Science?

Complete the survey here

Thank you for taking a few minutes to provide your input! Let me know if you have any questions.

Kim Bremmer

C: 715-797-7796