Support of a physical environment beneficial to life; action to promote wise use of ground and surface water resources and improvement of water, air and soil quality.

The League's position on natural resources reflects League members' concern for their environment. Major national and state studies have concentrated on water, air, energy and solid waste, and land use, recognizing their interrelationships and the need to consider all media together. The League believes in high standards for water and air quality and supports government regulations and enforcement of the standards. The League supports planning to provide for wise use of resources.

Standards and Enforcement
Support of:

• Federally determined effluent standards with lower levels of government and the public participating in the standard setting process.
• The right of lower levels of government to set and enforce stricter standards if they choose.
• An enforcement procedure which allows the federal level to step in if state or regional agencies fail to act.
• The right of the individual to bring legal action in the event of injury to self or environment without preemption by government enforcement procedures.

Wisconsin led the way in taking governmental action to restore and maintain the quality of the environment, lending strong support when related agencies were reorganized into the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to create a public intervener office in the Department of Justice to speak on behalf of the public's interest in natural resources, and to establish programs for air and water pollution control and solid waste management.

In 1971, the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA) was passed, requiring consideration of environmental impacts in the development of state policies and the administration of state regulations and actions. League has monitored WEPA guidelines and implementation over the years. In 1978 state policy was adopted to consider the impacts of state actions on energy resources and prime agricultural lands.

League has supported a series of successful efforts to increase the dollar amount of all statutorily set civil and criminal penalties. We have supported unsuccessful legislative efforts to adopt a citation system as another enforcement tool. Citations are issued like parking tickets for violations that do not directly threaten public health or the environment. The citation puts a price on not complying with all the rules.

In 1995 League strongly but unsuccessfully opposed the moving of the public intervener's office from the Department of Justice to the Department of Natural Resources, eliminating its independence and its right to sue polluters.

In 1997, League opposed giving manufacturers and a environmental audit privilege under the guise if encouraging routine audits. The bill would allow them to conceal voluntary pollution reports and give them immunity from criminal penalties for exceeding pollution standards. The bill failed to pass.

League also opposed the establishment of an Environmental Council composed of scientists in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The League argued that the Council was unnecessary, its authority was too broad and poorly defined and that it would weaken the input of the general public in environmental affairs. We believe that the departments dealing with the environment already have adequate authority and are required to hold public hearings on rules. In final action, a council on metallic mining was established in DNR for one year.

In other action in the 1997-8 session, the League lobbied the DNR successfully against the rule NR1.52, which would roll back standards for pollution laws to no stricter than federal laws.

Energy

GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming threatens the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems as well as the economic, social, public health, and even the survival of the populations of the Earth.  To stop global warming requires stabilizing atmospheric CO2 before the end of the 21st century at less than double the pre-industrial concentration.

Support of:
Accepting our responsibilities as global citizens to stop global warming.

Urging use by the State of Wisconsin, municipalities, individuals and corporations/businesses to use existing technologies to:

1) Make power plants, buildings and factories more efficient;
2) Make motor vehicles go farther on each unit of fuel; and 
3) Shift to cleaner technologies.

Urging Federal leadership to adopt nationwide global warming pollutant reductions of at least 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, the levels of reductions of CO2 from the 1990 level that United Nations scientists say are needed.

Providing assistance to those harshly affected by global warming, especially low-income individuals and families.

ELECTRIC ENERGY

The following electric energy positions reinforce and implement the position on global warming. They expand the previous energy positions and integrate them with new positions on siting of power plants and transmission lines, restrictions on fossil fuels and natural gas, and on electric energy planning and regulation.

Support of:

1) Limiting the demand for electricity. Success depends on all entities (governments, corporations and shareholders, individuals) taking responsibility for their consumption and contributing to energy self-reliance.

a. Reduce the use of electricity through a wide range of programs that promote conservation (behavioral change), energy efficiencies (using energy with fewer overall resources), co-generation٭ and distributed generation.

b. Use voluntary and regulatory energy demand management strategies.

c. Include rate structures and pricing strategies, such as peak demand, that incorporate the true cost of energy, which is not reflected in the current market system.

2) Financial incentives to advance clean energy technologies. Increase funding and grants for technology transfer, research and development of new fuel sources, and improved methods to reduce polluting effects of energy production.  Government, industry and other private sources should invest in such efforts with safeguards against conflict of interest.  We support making tax incentives available on a sustained basis until new technologies are established and competitive.

3) Siting of power plants, transmission lines and natural gas pipelines. The process for evaluating the suitability of new proposed power plants, electric transmission lines and natural gas pipelines should include:

a. Ample and effective opportunities for informed participation by all affected governments and the public in the formulation and analysis of proposed projects;
b. Procedures for resolution of intergovernmental conflicts, including between states and the Regional Transmission Operator as well as with Canada in accord with international treaties;
c. Examination of all short- and long-term economic costs including, but not limited to, construction, delivery, operation, maintenance and impacts on price, supply and demand;
d. Evaluation of economic, social, environmental and aesthetic impacts in electricity generation area, the receiving area and any area through which the transmission line or pipeline must pass;
e. Routing any new transmission lines or pipelines along existing transportation and utility corridors, to the greatest extent possible;
f. Ensuring all infrastructure is constructed and maintained in an environmentally sensitive and safe manner;
g. Protection of sensitive on-shore and off-shore public lands and prohibition of drilling in and around the Great Lakes;
h. Limited use of Wisconsin lake and river shoreline for power plant sites;
i. Standards for thermal effluent limitations that protect background water temperature and overall surface water quality; policies that prohibit once-through cooling systems.
Note: Further positions and guidelines affecting the siting process are under Land.

4) Restrictions on fossil fuels. Aggressively reducing CO2 emissions to stop global warming requires de-carbonizing energy sources and storing carbon biologically or geologically.

a. Coal.  The LWVWI supports prohibition on any new coal-fired plant, or any existing plant being rebuilt, unless it is equipped to:

i. Co-fire renewable fuels
ii. Capture usable steam for co-generation
iii. Integrate gasification and combined cycle technology
iv. Capture carbon using the best available control technology
v. Sequester carbon using the best available control technology

b. Natural Gas.  The LWVWI supports:

i. Promotion of maximum use of energy efficiencies and renewables to conserve use of natural gas
ii. Capture of usable steam for co-generation
iii. Advocating that imports of natural gas do not come from environmentally sensitive areas or from countries without adequate environmental safeguards

5) Restrictions on nuclear power. The LWVUS recognizes nuclear power as a part of the nation’s energy mix, but it opposes reliance on nuclear fission. More specifically, the LWVWI, within LWVUS guidelines, supports:

a. Prohibition of further licensing and construction of nuclear fission reactors until scientific questions regarding their effects upon public health and safety can be resolved;

b. Stringent radioactive effluent release standards throughout the nuclear cycle (production, transport, use, on-site or interim storage, decommissioning, long-term storage and reprocessing) for maximum protection of both the environment and public health and safety.

6) Electric energy planning. The Public Service Commission (PSC), acting under the Legislature and the Governor, is the primary energy planner in the state.   The LWVWI supports the following requirements for electric energy planning:

a. The LWVUS Natural Resources positions for resource management decisions and comprehensive long-range planning;

b. A planning timeframe of not less than 20 years, with review and update of strategy options and specific proposals on a regular basis.

c. Integration of PSC plans with those of Wisconsin utilities and reflection of these in the plans of the Regional Transmission Operator;

d. Policy makers taking into account the global impacts of their decisions;

e. Sustained and integrated involvement of the public and affected government involvement in all aspects of formulation and analysis of energy policy;

f. Requirement of the PSC and other statewide energy planners to continually provide the public with information about electric energy, the policies and priorities that govern the use of electricity, the energy industry and the significant energy issues currently under consideration.

7) Regulation of Public Utilities. The provision of electric power is an essential social and economic need. It is vital to the public interest and common good.  As such it has historically been highly regulated by the government.  The LWVWI supports:

a. Continued regulation of public utilities;

b. Regulation of utilities that is fair, open, transparent and accessible to the public in all of its proceedings.  Accurate comprehensive information must be available to consumers for educational and decision making purposes;

c. A strengthened PSC with adequate funding and staffing to assure good decision-making and the ability to fulfill statutory responsibilities;

d. An independent regulatory process free from undue political and utility influence;

e. A minimum of a two-year waiting period before a commissioner or high level staff of the PSC can be hired by a utility.
Note: Further positions and guidelines affecting Energy are under LWVUS Energy.

____________________________________________________
In 1969, the four member states of the Lake Michigan Inter-League Group representing more than 100 local leagues in the Lake Michigan Basin studied the effects of power plants on water quality of Lake Michigan, principally thermal and radioactive effects.  The State Board approved the position in 197l.

During the 1970’s through the early 1980’s, the LWVUS conducted a comprehensive energy study.  Most state Leagues, including Wisconsin, participated in that study and added their special interests. State energy positions were adopted during this period.

During l975 the LWVWI successfully supported power plant siting legislation that would increase the ability of the Public Service Commission to regulate location of power plants and transmission lines through a ten-year advance planning timetable.  Public participation as well as input from all levels of government was assured at each stage in the process. In the l990s, the integrity of this process was challenged when utilities sought faster permitting for building eighteen (mostly natural gas) peaking plants than the plan allowed. With the national movement toward deregulation of utilities, the advance planning process was gradually phased out.

In l977, the League supported legislation prohibiting construction of new nuclear power generating plants until means of disposal of radioactive waste could be improved, but legislation was not adopted until l984.

The League also supported several energy conservation bills.  In the l980’s laws were passed that required electronic ignition devices on all gas appliances, the use of water conserving plumbing fixtures, and appliance energy efficiency standards.

The purpose of the 2005-2007 Electric Energy Policy Study was to rebuild the LWVWI energy information base, inform our members and through them our communities, to update and expand existing positions so they address current issues, and to develop an aggressive advocacy agenda based on the new positions adopted by the 2007 Convention. The positions include those on global warming and their implication for energy policy, strategies for clean electricity, electric energy planning, and regulation of utilities.

During the study period, LWVWI used existing positions to support legislation based on the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Efficiencies and Renewables, twice opposed legislation to repeal the moratorium on construction of new nuclear power plants, opposed legislation that permitted seizure of public lands under the laws of eminent domain, and began support for the and Wisconsin Safe Climate Act of 2007.

Air
Support of policies and programs which protect the health of the people and preserve the natural resources of the state, including:

• a survey of air pollution problems
• development and implementation of a state plan for air pollution control
• establishment of minimum standards for air quality.

In 1984 Leagues concurred that the Air position could be used to support regulation of smoking in public indoor areas. The Clean Indoor Air Act was passed that same year, although the governor vetoed the penalties and enforcement provisions. League worked for several sessions before successful passage in 1989 of provisions for enforcement, penalties and expansion to private sector offices.

League also supported DNR's adoption of sulfur dioxide standards for major air pollution sources, and in the absence of federal action, supported adoption of the 1983 and 1985 Wisconsin Acid Rain Acts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions to 50% of the 1980 levels by 1993 and to study cost effective means of reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

Also due to federal inaction, the League supported DNR's adoption of air-born toxins regulations to protect public health and the environment. In 1988 League joined three environmental groups as intervener to support the rules when major industries, trade associations and the Wisconsin hospital Association challenged them in court. The rules were upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in 1990.

League supported the successful adoption of recycling of CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) in refrigerators and gradual replacement with a gas that does not contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.

Land
Support of policies and programs which encourage acquisition of the following for conservation and recreation:

• undeveloped areas with the primary purpose of leaving them in their natural state;
• selected new areas of development for intensive use as well as development of some of the presently owned natural areas, particularly near urban centers;
• additional scenic highway easements and lake and stream shore accesses.

Support of a continued state program of research and action on soil and water pollution.

Support of:

• the exercise of planning and regulatory functions by the state for land areas and activities of statewide concern and for land areas and activities that cannot be planned for and regulated on a strictly local level. Planning and regulatory involvement by the state, either directly or indirectly, is needed in the following general areas and activities:

a. fragile and historic lands subject to irreversible damage and of state or regional significance;
b. renewable resources lands subject to productivity losses of statewide significance;
c. natural hazard lands where dangers to public health and to life and property may result if planning and regulation are not exercised;
d. state and regional public facilities and institutions;
e. private development that has regional or statewide physical, social or economic impact;
f. activities for which there is a demonstrated state or regional need not met by the private sector.
g. restoration of native plant and animal species in areas in which they formerly thrived.
h. restoration and preservation of areas that were once wetlands.

• Indirect involvement by the state through development of state standards and use of state review combined with strengthened regulatory and enforcement authority at lower governmental levels, when this approach can be shown to protect sufficiently the interests of Wisconsin citizens.
• Direct planning and regulatory involvement by the state to protect fragile, historic, and natural hazard lands of state or regional significance.

Support of a state organizational framework for land protection that:

• Integrates land use planning into the state's comprehensive planning process and coordinates it with plans and policies of local and regional agencies;
• Requires impact statements for public and private development of regional and statewide significance;
• Provides for appeal boards at appropriate levels to arbitrate disputed land use decisions between governmental bodies and between citizens and government;
• Requires substrate regional bodies with authority to plan, advise, review, and comment on land use matters of regional concern;
• Requires local government to exercise at least a minimum of land use planning and regulation, and encourages maximum local decision making;
• Requires the adoption by the legislature of a statement of goal and objectives for land use planning
• Provides for the coordination of state agencies whose decisions affect land use.
• Requires all local units of governments, including counties, municipalities and townships, to adopt a comprehensive land use plan, which incorporates elements of a comprehensive plan recommend by the state, and empowers counties to draw up land use plans for municipalities and townships that fail to do so. The planning process should also:

  a. require local units of government to adopt zoning ordinances and other land use regulations in conformity with their land use plans.
  b. require coordination among local and regional units of government and agencies in drawing up land use plans and land use ordinances and regulations
  c. require public participation in land use planning.
  d. require public hearings before adoption of zoning ordinances and land use regulations.

• Provides state assistance to local governments to carry out local land use management function, including a) state financial aid for research and planning, b) increased state technical and data-gathering assistance to include a comprehensive statewide Land Information System that is easily accessible to all citizens and, c) statutory authorization for local governments to exercise innovative land use and regulatory techniques.

Support efforts to preserve agricultural and conservancy lands of regional and statewide significance by means of land use plans developed at the county level or higher and implemented through regulatory methods - such as zoning, urban service districts, development timing and subdivision regulations - and through financial incentives such as use value taxation. When agricultural and conservancy zoning or districting is coupled with financial incentives to help carry out preservation goals, entry of lands should be mandatory with penalties for premature withdrawal.

Support preservation and redevelopment of existing urban lands through zoning and other regulatory incentives and tax breaks. Encourage brownfield restoration as a priority in urban areas. Encourage neighborhood designs that support a range of transportation and lifestyle choices including affordable housing and a range of densities.

(Further positions affecting land are under "Pesticides")

Planning
In 1965 the LWVWI study of agencies, policies and programs of Wisconsin's natural resources with particular emphasis on pollution control and recreation considered also problems of water quality, air pollution, agriculture, wildlife and recreation as they relate to conservation of our natural resources.

The League has consistently supported major state funding, usually bonding, for land acquisition and development for parks, wildlife habitat and natural areas preservation as well as construction of municipal sewage treatment facilities. League actively supported the 1967 Outdoor Recreation Program (ORAP), renewal of ORAP 2000 goals and funding through the year 2000. League supported bonding parks rehabilitation which was enacted into law in 1988. League supported the successful passage of the Stewardship Program which reestablished a long term bonding effort ($25 million for each of 10 years) for parks, wildlife habitat, stream bank and urban green space acquisition. In addition, the League supported efforts that eventually created in 1989 the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway to protect the free-flowing recreational river from Prairie du Sac to the Mississippi River.

In 1975 LWVWI examined land use planning and controls, and their effect on housing and the economy, considering taxation policy as it relates to land use; and investigating the role and functions of state, local and regional government in land use planning. Particular concerns were the preservation of agricultural land, the uses of land in urban areas, problems caused by transportation policies and the place of regional planning commissions in decision-making.

A farmland preservation bill was signed into law as part of the 1977 budget bill. The purpose is to keep agricultural land as farmland by giving farmers tax benefits rather than requiring them to pay property tax on the speculative value of their land.

League supported additional demonstration funds for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Sustainable Agriculture Program in 1988 and in 1990 joined a very broad coalition of farmer, rural development and environmental groups in successfully providing new funding for sustainable agriculture research. The League participated in the DATCP review of food safety programs which recommended a 1991-93 budget initiative.

In 1987 a state budget initiative to consolidate the DNR and DATCP non-point source pollution programs was successfully resisted by the League and others. The League argued for improved agency coordination but maintaining DNR as the lead water quality agency in the state.

In the 1997-98 session, the League lobbied for a Legislative Council proposal for a state agency to develop an inventory of land resources, designating those to be protected from development, and to create standards for the development, implementation, enforcement and oversight of county and regional land use plans and ensuring coordination and cooperation. The plan was adopted.

A plan for the development of brownfields, urban land that has been polluted, was supported by the League, with caveats for more public involvement and protection of public health and safety. The plan is being implemented, but is in the process of being modified to provide more assistance to municipalities and to deal with issues of liability. 

Mining
After the discovery of large copper and zinc lodes in northern Wisconsin, the League became concerned that the mining laws needed updating to protect the environment against damages from mining operations. Bills were passed in 1978 requiring companies to be bonded to insure compliance with DNR reclamation requirements. They also provided for protection of the environment in mineral exploration along with setting standards for reclamation of the land and protection for the public interest and communities affected by mining. Other provisions established rules for the use of water in mining operations.

As early as 1983, Exxon began to seek a permit to operate a mine at Crandon. Although it was dropped temporarily, the permitting process was renewed in the middle of the 90's by what has become the Nicolet Mining Co. Because of the severe threats to the environment, League joined with other environmental groups in 1997 to obtain passage of a mining moratorium, which would prohibit any new mines in the state until the mining company could show a history, of a similar type mine in another place, of successful pollution free mining operations and mine closing for at least ten years. The bill was passed and signed by the governor.

Also, in the 1997-98 session, League supported a bill which did not pass, which required mining companies seeking a permit to develop a mine to submit full records of their operations. 

Wetlands
In 1978 the League was active in gaining the authorization for DNR to map all state wetlands over five acres and, in 1982, shoreline zoning regulation was extended to protect wetlands within incorporated areas. The League continued to work with other groups and Public Intervener to petition DNR to aggressively use its existing state powers and to make greater use of its state water quality review under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to protect wetlands. Local Leagues have worked for the adoption of strong county and municipal ordinances to protect wetlands and other locally important environmental corridors and natural areas.

In 1986 LWVWI and LWV-Door County filed an amicus curiae brief in circuit court in support of state authority to adopt wetlands zoning if a county refuses to meet state minimum standards. The court upheld the law. In 1987 a challenge to the precedent setting 1972 Department of Justice vs. Marinette County decision by the Supreme Court reaffirmed that wetlands zoning was not a taking (if government regulation goes too far, the government must fairly compensate the property owner) and that future challenges should be addressed to counties, not towns.

In the fall of 1990, DNR held public hearings on water quality standards for wetlands. Rules and legislation protecting wetlands were adopted and implemented. League helped successfully to defend the rules against an attack during a five year review.

In 1990 League supported unsuccessful legislation to repeal the 1840's law which exempts cranberry bogs from environmental regulation relating to dams, drains and ditches.

The 1990's have been dominated by an attempt to pass a takings bill, which would require that property owners be compensated for the effect of state environmental regulations of their property or profit. The result would be the state paying the polluter not to pollute. The League has lobbied hard against these bills, at both the federal and state levels, because regulation is necessary to protect water, air, zoning restrictions, etc., because the cost would be prohibitive and because the courts would be overloaded.

A bill allowing development of wetlands if there were compensatory mitigation was successfully opposed because it weakens the DNR's authority to protect wetlands.

Solid Waste Management
Support of the following positions:

Comprehensive Planning:

• Wisconsin should prepare to deal promptly with low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) generated within the state;
• Wisconsin should develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term management of LLRW;
• A comprehensive plan should take into account both public health and the environment;
• The preferred option is to join the Midwest Interstate Compact to maximize future options while continuing to explore other options;
• The most important criterion for decision making is to assure that safeguards are provided for people and the environment. Next in importance is total hazard of the LLRW generated. Other important criteria are: costs to the taxpayer, the volume of LLRW generated the best interest of the multi-state region, and the nation. Least, but not unimportant are costs to the consumer (of electricity or medical/research services) and the costs to the generator of LLRW; Agreement state status in some form is desirable, should Wisconsin have a low-level radioactive waste facility.

Handling and Transfer:

• LLRW should be categorized by total hazard;
• Regulations for handling, transporting, treatment, and disposal should match the hazard of the wastes;
• To further the reduction of waste, Wisconsin should:
• Provide incentives to generators to minimize waste generation through improved management practices (incentives include both positive and negative measures);
• Encourage research to improve reduction techniques and investigate new approaches;
• Provide incentives to generators to use the best and safest techniques to reduce the volume of LLRW that requires burial. (Incentives are not only monetary but include technical assistance and expertise.)
• Decisions to concentrate waste must consider safety of radiation workers, the environment and public safety.

Transportation & Emergency Planning:

Wisconsin should seek the authority to enforce standards and to correct violations in the packaging, handling, routing, and transportation of both radioactive materials and LLRW.

Wisconsin should ensure that emergency response teams in each county receive training to deal with radioactive materials and LLRW.

• Procedures for making decisions about facilities should take into account the concerns of nearby residents and affected local governments and provide for a resolution of differences;
• Wisconsin should develop a program to educate the public about LLRW issues;
• Wisconsin should ensure that open meetings with public notice, open records, hearings and appeal procedures be provided for local governments and nearby residents when proposals are made concerning LLRW management in their area;
• Regulations should be uniformly and consistently enforced. Citizens should have standing to sue for enforcement of LLRW regulations.

Solid and Hazardous Waste
In 1973 the League supported measures that established a state solid waste reclamation authority empowered to take all wastes collected locally, separate and process them, sell the valuable materials and dispose of the rest. The Wisconsin Solid Waste Recycling Authority became a reality in 1974, but was repealed in 1983 due to a lack of progress.

For many unsuccessful years the League supported a mandatory deposit on all beer and soft drink containers in order to reduce solid waste disposal costs as well as resource and energy use. However, recycling bills were enacted on a state solid waste hierarchy paralleling League positions. In 1990 a comprehensive recycling bill was passed. Leagues throughout the state lobbied for bill passage and were involved in implementation of the municipal recycling grants in order to achieve the 1995 landfill bans on 14 items. In 1998, League urged the legislature to continue to keep the tax on business that provides the recycling grants. The tax was extended until 2000, leaving the issue to the 1999-2000 legislature.

One of the most significant bills supported by the League in coalition with other groups in 1977 was a measure to establish a comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management program under the direction of the DNR. The measure included a "cradle to grave" approach to sites as well as long-term care requirements and spill management. The law was not implemented until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized federal regulations in 1981. Leagues were able to provide public education when national hazardous waste tragedies raised public awareness on this issue.

League encouraged the Legislature to maintain state delegation of solid and hazardous waste permitting programs by promptly adopting the new standards and regulations in the federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Act of 1984 related to leaking above and underground storage tanks. League has supported increased tipping fees to pay for program administration and cleanup contingency funds in the Environmental Repair Fund. The 1987-88 and 1989-90 state budgets included authority and funding for Safe Drinking Water 2000, and clean-up of the 40 worst abandoned waste sites in the state. League supported funding in subsequent budgets, but the clean-up has never been fully implemented.

League supported state adoption of a program, parallel to the federal Title III Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Program, which authorized fees to fund state and county staff and necessary response equipment and extending reporting requirements to public facilities and private laboratories storing extremely hazardous chemicals. League supported a 1990 law which establishes a Toxic Waste Minimization Program of technical assistance and cost-shared process audits as a first step toward implementing a zero-discharge on toxic substances policy.

League was successful in winning restrictions to NR 718 in 1996, allowing the land spreading of organic chemicals (petroleum contaminated soils). The restrictions incorporate notice to neighbors and the community and establish set-back requirements to meet odor, public health and property value concerns.

Action in 1997-98 was support of the expansion of areas considered affected by hazardous waste disposal site to 1/2 mile, providing greater opportunity for citizen input. 

Low Level Radioactive Waste
The Low Level Radioactive waste position was developed as events were unfolding in the compacting of Midwestern states. To accommodate different state perspectives, national League was asked by the Midwestern and Northeastern Leagues to develop additional procedural guidelines for taking positions on LLRW (see Impact on Issues, LWVUS).

In reaching the state position on LLRW, members believed reduction in costs should not take priority over, or affect the safety of, the disposal procedures chosen. Members are more concerned by the cost to the taxpayer than to the generator or the consumer.

In 1983 the League testified in favor of Wisconsin adopting the Midwest Compact. In 1986 we testified in support of the LLRW Regional Management Plan and the method for selecting a host state. League continued to work with other Midwest state Leagues to monitor the Compact Commission meetings and the development of a LLRW facility in Michigan. The Compact dissolved in 1998. However, pollution protection and source reduction measures have reduced the need for treatment and isolation of low-level radioactive wastes.

Water
Support of a state water policy that reflects the fact that water is a single resource with the same rules of justice to apply to ground and surface water, and any system of mandatory permits to include water rich areas of the state.

Support of additional dedicated revenue sources to provide a dependable source of funding for state water quality programs.

Revenue sources should have a clear connection to the use or potential abuse of water, generate sufficient funds to make an impact on water quality issues, and be easy to collect. Funding options should include (1) general revenue sources because all Wisconsin citizen's benefit from adequate water quantity and quality and (2) user fees and taxes assessed to activities that affect water quality. Other revenue sources not mentioned may be considered for support if they meet these criteria.

Support for specific dedicated revenue sources include, but are not limited to:

• First priority: adjust the motorboat fuel tax formula to reflect usage at no less than 80 gallons; the formula should be updated periodically or every five years.
• Second priority: new or increased taxes, fees, or surcharges on large water users or industries and activities that contribute directly or indirectly to nonpoint source pollution, including the following:

• beer, soft drinks, and bottled water
• gasoline
• automobile and other vehicle registrations
• non-metallic mining
• large agricultural operations (e.g. per animal fee, cranberry, and produce farms)
• new construction

• Third priority:

• lottery and casino revenue
• sales tax
• private or public well surcharge
• mitigation trust fund

(Further positions affecting water are under "Pesticides")

In 1959, League adopted the first state positions following a study of water resources in Wisconsin, with emphasis centered on problems of water use, administration of water resources, and particularly the division of responsibility among state agencies in management of the resource.

Between 1959 and 1966, League supported a bill calling for a permit system for high-capacity wells and measures aimed at applying the same rules of justice to the administration of ground and surface water. These were strongly opposed by agricultural interests. In 1985 the legislature adopted the Water Resources Conservation Act, supported by League, as a part of the Great Lakes states strategy to conserve water and resist major water transfers out of the Great Lakes basin. League was involved in developing administrative rules and a state water quantity plan.

In 1982-83 League and other environmental groups greatly influenced a major bill protecting groundwater, getting many unacceptable provisions changed. It was passed in 1984 with an unacceptable transfer of authority for animal wastes from DNR to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. League worked to get the governor's veto of this provision and to sustain the veto in a special veto session. Local Leagues conducted updates on local groundwater conditions during the legislative struggle. League continues to monitor the many state agencies with groundwater standard setting, rule making and research responsibilities in implementing the law.

A bill banning the use of phosphates in detergents was supported by the League and passed in 1977. The law was allowed to lapse in 1983. Despite heavy industry lobbying, League and other environmental groups convinced the legislature to adopt a permanent ban on high-phosphate detergents effective in 1984.

Several bills regarding septic tanks were an issue in the 1977-78 session. One bill, requiring building permits for new septic systems, was supported by the League and passed. The League opposed another bill which would have greatly expanded the number of allowable experimental systems. A very modified version was included in the budget review bill. In 1976 the League again supported the transfer of septic system regulation from the Department of Health and Social Services to the DNR. This proposal failed. The program was subsequently moved to the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations. League participated in the environmental review of experimental septic systems, mounds, and has opposed their unrestricted use under land use positions. While holding tanks will continue to be regulated, mound system control lapsed to the counties in mid 1987.

League was active in state implementation of the federally mandated Safe Drinking water amendments of 1986 and 1996 to clean up Wisconsin's waters sufficiently to reach the federally mandated "swimmable, fishable waters" standard. A program of grants was established to provide money for clean up, but the grant program evolved into a revolving loan fund.

In 2003 a state League committee updated the position on water to address revenue sources. Although a few dedicated revenue sources for water quality programs existed in 2003, the committee deemed them insufficient. A dedicated source of funds, either new or reallocated, should be combined with General Purpose Revenues to meet Wisconsin's needs for the management of its water resources.

Pesticides
Support of:

• Restricted use of pesticides until such time as the scientific question of their effects can be conclusively resolved:
• Classification of pesticides, complete and understandable labeling of pesticides, and state or federal certification of applicators using restricted pesticides.

State governments should provide economic incentives to farmers and growers to implement these alternative techniques. State governments should provide funding for training in these techniques to employees of public agencies and institutions, to commercial applicators, to farmers, and to private individuals. Anyone handling pesticides as part of a job should be required to demonstrate knowledge and competency and, before receiving a license or certification, be required to take a training course and pass a state regulated examination. Pesticides should be used selectively, not routinely, in: hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, schools, playgrounds, publicly owned buildings, golf courses, parks, roadsides, and swimming pools.

Governmental Regulation of Pesticide Use
Support for the regulation of the use of pesticides by all levels of government. Government standards should be set for all lawn care and mosquito abatement companies. Adequate funding for all appropriate levels of government should be established to finance testing for over-spray, drift, and water contaminations. Pesticide drift beyond the boundaries of the targeted area should be prohibited by law.

 The use of pesticides should be totally prohibited in the following instances:

• aerial spraying of residential neighborhoods' recharge zones for drinking water supplies;
• vulnerable designated wetlands and other natural areas;
• habitats for endangered species.

In the absence of federal regulations, state governments should enact organic labeling laws and organic farming certification laws. In addition, funding for increased testing by appropriate state agencies for pesticides in food is essential.

States should be able to set residue levels for food that are stricter than federal level.

Public Notification of Pesticide Use
Belief that lawn care companies, structural pest control companies, and agricultural pesticide applicators should provide the public, including agricultural workers, with extensive information about pesticides and pesticide use, including: 

• purpose of application
• brand name of pesticide(s) used
• date and time of year when pesticides are to be applied
• label precautions and disposal information
• registration status
• amount and names of all inert ingredients
• name, address, and telephone number of applicator
• evidence of applicant's license or certification
• telephone number of state agency in charge of pesticide regulation
• telephone number of nearest Poison Control Center
• health symptoms and first aid.

Because of the potential for involuntary exposure to pesticides, individuals should be notified prior to application of pesticides. Re-entry times and exposure precautions should be conspicuously posted. Information should be posted for interior and exterior pesticide application. Posting should occur in advance of application of any pesticide.

In 1969, the Lake Michigan Inter-League Group (LMILG) decided to work under the national Water Resources position for agreement on the use of persistent pesticides. Again, local Leagues throughout Wisconsin participated so the agreement has statewide use. During the late 1970's, pesticide pollution of groundwater became evident in the Central Sands area and there were increasingly widespread instances of groundwater pollution from landfills and other land uses.

LMILG updated the position in 1990. This position and the new Agriculture position have increased League involvement in local and state debate on pesticide regulation and alternatives to chemicals in agriculture, urban and home use. Action has included education projects and efforts by local Leagues to get pesticide ordinances passed.

In 1992 League supported a bill passed, requiring disclosure of information on pesticide impacts and hazards to employees of landscape services, customers and the community. In 1997, we opposed weakening the rules governing use of pesticides near schools, day care centers and playgrounds. The change would eliminate posting warning signs on public roads, and change the date of pre-notification, limiting citizens' right to know.

Transportation
Action by the LWVWI in the area of transportation has been taken under the national League position as well as the state Land Use and other Natural Resource positions, and Social Policy positions under Meeting Basic Human Needs, Equal Rights and Urban Policy positions. The League supported the repeal of the internal improvement clause of the Wisconsin Constitution as it applies to transportation facilities. Repeal would have allowed state expenditure for capital equipment which could aid in the rejuvenation of the state rail system and mass transit. The measure was defeated in two referenda.

A special session of the legislature in 1975 considered a wide-ranging transportation proposal, including a revised road aids formula, mass transit funds, money for state highways and bridges, plans for the reorganization of the Department of Transportation and the establishment of county transportation commissions. The League supported the proposal but the legislature did not!

In the 1977 budget, the League supported provisions which made allocations to mass transit and supported repair of highways. However, in the 1978 budget review bill, the League opposed an increase in allocations for highways with no increase in mass transit funds, in spite of a shortfall in urban transit systems in two years. The League did support an allocation to purchase railroad track.

Transportation was one of the most controversial items in the 1979 budget. Because of decreased revenue from the gasoline tax, the governor requested general purpose funds for new highway construction. The League supported maintenance of existing highways and increased funding for mass transit. In a compromise bill the need to increase revenues from the gasoline tax was not addressed. Through clever use of the line item veto power, the governor in 1987 authorized two separate increases in the gasoline tax. It was also indexed to provide more stable revenue by tying increases in the tax to decreases in gasoline sales.

In 1994, League protested the canceling of Amtrak services from Milwaukee to Chicago and urged increased funding from national and state governments. This action was based on Social Policy, Natural Resources and Urban Policy positions. We also supported the establishment of the bicycle as a vehicle that year.

The transportation budget of 1995 was separated from the whole budget. League worked for equal access to and adequate funding for mass transit, maintenance of present roads and highways, but no new or expanded ones. The budget process of 1995 was condemned by League for the proposal of a Super Amendment which was the result of secret negotiations by the Joint Committee on Finance and the Assembly caucus. Included in the amendment during closed sessions funding for mass transit, aids to counties and municipalities, aids for local road improvement and bridge and freight rail programs.