February 10, 2012

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EPA keeps S.S. Badger afloat

February 9, 2012 By

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted the owners of the S.S. Badger permission to apply for a new five year permit to continue dumping coal ash into Lake Michigan.

The ferry, which runs between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, dumps an estimated 500 tons of waste ash into the lake each year. The EPA had previously set a December 2012 deadline for them to stop the practice.

Lynda Matson with Lake Michigan Car Ferry, which owns the ship, says the decision comes after the ash was tested and found to be benign. She says it is mixed with lake water and put back into Lake Michigan, but the dilution level is so high it has no effect on drinking water.

Matson says they are cooperating with the EPA in converting the ship to burn natural gas. She says a new permit will give them more time to develop the infrastructure and design needed to complete that process.

Matson adds the Badger is a historic vessel that provides over 200 jobs in both communities.

Both sides are scheduled to meet in the next few weeks.

Brian Norton, WOMT

Filed Under: Business, Environment & Conservation, News

Senate will have own mining bill (AUDIO)

February 7, 2012 By

The state Senate’s mining committee will consider its own rewrite of Wisconsin mining laws. State Senator Neal Kedzie chairs that chamber’s mining committee and says the Assembly-passed mining bill may be a starting point — but the Senate wants to consider changes. “Obviously, we’ll be having a look at whether or not contested case hearings get reinserted in one shape or another,” says the Elkhorn Republican. Kedzie concedes that’s “a tough issue,” since such hearings were deliberately left out of the Assembly bill. “They should be justified, they shouldn’t be frivolous. So we will look at seeing what is the fairest way to allow for public input, and to potentially raise concerns when they’re necessary and legitimate.”

AUDIO: Senator Neil Kedzie (5:30) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Legislature, News

Making the case for a wolf hunt

February 2, 2012 By

A public hearing at the state Capitol Wednesday on a proposed wolf hunting season raised a number of concerns, although outright opposition to the plan was rare.

The bill being considered by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee would create a hunting season for gray wolves running from October thru February. Permits would be issued in the same way the state’s bear hunting season is currently handled, with a preference system used to determine who receives a limited number of licenses.

State Representative Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake), a sponsor of the bill, says a wolf hunt would be an effective tool to help the state manage a growing population, estimated at over 800 wolves. Supporters argue the wolf population should be down around 350 animals, which was the goal established when the animals were added to the federal endangered species list.

However, UW-Madison wildlife ecologist Tim Van Deelen testified that the state should shy away from setting a low population goal. He says that could be used by groups planning to file federal lawsuits against the recent delisting.

State Representative Nick Milroy (D-South Range) says Wisconsin should approach the issue carefully, or federal officials could again take over management of the wolf population. The animal was only recently removed from the endangered species list.

Al Lobner of Milladore was among advocates of a wolf hunt who say a season is needed to get the population down and to protect livestock and pets that have been attacked by wolves. Over 30 attacks by wolves on domesticated animals were reported to the state last year. Lobner says nobody wants to see wolves extinct, but “we need to do what is necessary to get these animals under control.”

A committee vote on the bill could come later this month.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:19)

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Legislature, News

Study outlines shutting the door on Carp

February 1, 2012 By

A new study says it would cost up to between $3 billion and $9.5 billion to separate the artificial water link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. 

The report done by the interstate Great Lakes Commission shows three specific ways to separate that connection. It’s part of an effort to prevent invasive species including the Asian Carp from entering the Lakes.

Environmental groups say the expense would be worth it in the long run to keep the carp from ruining the Great Lakes and connecting waterways. The voracious feeders can grow up to 90 pounds destroying ecosystems which the Alliance for the Great Lakes says will lead to lost tourism and fishing related dollars.

Changes at the Mississippi River/Lake Michigan connection have been a contentious issue. Suggestions to close Chicago lock system have been met with opposition by Illinois officials who cite major economic loss from the heavily traveled shipping channel.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Hunting wolves in Wisconsin

January 31, 2012 By

Wisconsin could soon have a hunting season for wolves.

Legislation from state Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) would create a wolf hunting season running from October through February. The Abbotsford Republican says a hunt will allow the state to effectively manage the animals, preventing attacks on livestock and pets that have been reported around the state in recent years.

The move comes less than a week after gray wolves were removed from the list of federally endangered species. The state now has the power to manage the size of the population, which the DNR estimates at about 800 animals.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:12)

The removal of the federal protections means the state can now issue permits to landowners to remove animals that attack private property. Proponents of a wolf hunt argue that will not be enough to bring the population down to a more manageable number, which Suder says would be around 350 wolves.

Permitting would be set up similar to how the state currently handles bear hunting, where a preference system is used to determine who receives a license. Fees would be used to compensate the owners of animals attacked by wolves.

An Assembly committee will hold a hearing on the bill later this week.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Featured Story, Legislature, News
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