• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Environment / Conservation / Wetland permit changes approved

Wetland permit changes approved

February 22, 2012 By Andrew Beckett

The state Assembly has signed off on a controversial bill that makes changes to the permitting process for construction on Wisconsin’s wetland areas. The bill creates a two-tier permitting system, allowing a closer review for more complex projects and giving developers an option to offset the loss of those areas.

State Representative Brett Hulsey (D-Madison) argued against the changes. He noted “the typical acre of wetlands will store over a million gallons of floodwater,” and filling it in will just result in homes being damaged by floods later on.

Hulsey urged lawmakers to “stop kicking flood victims in the teeth every chance you get.”

Baraboo Democrat Fred Clark argued there’s nothing wrong with the state’s current process for approving construction on wetlands, noting the DNR already approves nearly 93 percent of the permits it receives within a month. He says the bill just sets up the agency to be rushed to approve contracts based on little evidence and with no regard for the public interest.

Despite a contentious debate in the Senate last week, the Assembly passed the measure quickly Tuesday with a voice vote. The bill now heads to Governor Walker, who has said he plans to sign it.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:01)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Environment / Conservation, Legislature, News



Featured Stories

Teachers to begin getting vaccinated March 1 in Wisconsin

Assembly approves bill to allow DWD to update computers

Bucks extend win streak to three

Evers defends proposed budget as Republicans voice disapproval on his spending targets

Antetokounmpo, Middleton lead Bucks past Kings

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Bucks extend win streak to three

Antetokounmpo, Middleton lead Bucks past Kings

Number-21 Wisconsin ends two-game slide (AUDIO)

Badgers tie Notre Dame, take 4 of 6 points on the weekend

Bucks losing streak reaches five games

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC