Hansen, Genrich Disappointed In Delayed DNR Response to Groundwater Crisis Print
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by GBP Staff   
Friday, 06 May 2016 14:45

clean-drinking-waterDepartment to enact aspects of Democrats’ Groundwater Proposal as Administrative Rules over a year after environmental groups petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to act in response to Clean Water Act Violations.


GREEN BAY - Representative Eric Genrich (D-Green Bay) and Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) responded today to the announcement that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) intends to enact some of the provisions put forth in legislation they introduced in November of last year as administrative rules.

Hansen and Genrich’s bill, Senate Bill 469 (SB 469)/ Assembly Bill 637 (AB 637) sought to confront the spreading of high volumes of manure in karst areas, which has led to widespread well contamination in several communities in Northeast Wisconsin. SB 469/AB 637 would have required that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identify karst-susceptible areas and develop regulations to establish acceptable manure spreading practices in those areas.

eric-genrich“We welcome any constructive action to address the issue of water quality, but it is disappointing that it took Governor Walker and the DNR so long to act on behalf of the thousands of citizens affected by this crisis,” said Genrich.

dave-hansenThe DNR’s intention to enact some of the policies contained in the bill as administrative rules was unveiled Thursday. The announcement comes over a year after environmental groups petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to act in response to Clean Water Act Violations.

“Being able to drink clean water is a basic right that has been denied to thousands of residents and families in Northeast Wisconsin by politicians in Madison who are more concerned with protecting the interests of large corporations than making sure our children have safe water to drink,” said Hansen. “While it is nice to see that the Governor and DNR are finally adopting some of the protections included in our bill, much more needs to be done to restore the quality of the groundwater and the trust of those whose lives have been affected.”