Wetlands Legislation Causes Controversy Tweet Story By Fitzgerald, Maggie





NORTHWOODS - Wetlands serve many purposes in the Northwoods. They help prevent floods, serve as habitat for fish and wildlife, and are an attraction the community can enjoy.



Wisconsin's wetland landscape could change if Republican lawmakers pass a bill allowing some wetlands to be filled without a permit process.



Republicans say the DNR's permit requirements for filling in state wetlands are lengthy and costly, and slow the growth of business. However, the talk of deregulation has some community members worried about the future of the wetlands in the Northwoods.



"Wetlands are beautiful and they provide a great service," said Bob Martini, a former DNR employee.





Since Martini retired he tries to spend two to three hours a day in and around nature.



"Quality of life is directly related to the quality of our environment," said Martini.



But with a wetlands bill in the works in Madison, Martini is worried he may lose part of his favorite pastime.



"I don't think we can afford to lose any [wetlands] in the Northern part of the state," said Martini.



Lawmakers introduced a bill in November that would allow homeowners and businesses to build on state wetlands without getting a permit.



Wisconsin has around five million acres of wetlands statewide. Eighty percent of those wetlands are federally protected under the Clean Water Act. The other 20 percent are what is being debated.



Representative Jim Steineke is a co-author of the bill. He said the bill is a reaction to public complaints.



"Virtually in every corner of the state, Representatives have heard from homeowners and developers about the problems they have been having with this regulatory process," said Steineke.



Lucas Vebber of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce said Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to regulate its wetlands and the state has been dealing with the overreach ever since.



"It's a burden that Wisconsin businesses have to bear that their competitors in other states do not. If we can bring us more in line with those other states it makes us more competitive and it helps them keep their costs down and bring jobs and development right here to Wisconsin," said Vebber.



Martini says that wetlands are also good for the economy.



"Drought protection, flood protection, fish and wildlife habit, all have economic importance," said Martini.



But most importantly, he says they make people happy.



"People love scenic areas, like this is the background, said Martini.



On Thursday, a proposed amendment to the bill passed an assembly committee. The amendment would protect high quality wetlands and limit the wetlands area a project could fill. Business and property owners would still have to pay to create new wetlands somewhere else. The amendment will be voted on sometime this month.



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