Wisconsin Lakes Convention
KI Convention Center, Green Bay
March 18-20, 2009
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Update on phosphorus lawn fertilizer bill

The Assembly unanimously passed a strong phosphorus lawn fertilizer bill (AB 3) on February 24, 2009. The bill prohibits the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphate and related phosphorus compounds, with certain reasonable exceptions. The bill is modeled after Dane County's existing and successful county ordinance.

The Senate Environment committee has scheduled an executive session on the Senate version of the bill (SB 5). The Senate committee will consider amendments to the bill, vote on amendments, and vote to send the bill forward to the full Senate for consideration.

AB 3 and companion Senate bill SB 5 are co-authored by Assembly Natural Resources Chair Spencer Black and Senate Environment Committee Chair Mark Miller, and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 47 Senate and Assembly Representatives.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes is pleased the Assembly has acted quickly to get this bill on the books, and anticipates that the Senate will soon follow suit.

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The slow-no-wake bill (SB 12) passed the full Senate on February 24, 2009.

The bill would establish a slow no wake zone within 100 feet of a lake’s shoreline for motorboats. This proposal includes an opt-out provision, allowing local government to exclude lakes if the law significantly impacts recreation. Pick-up and drop zones for water skiers would also be excluded.

SB 12 is scheduled for a public hearing before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee this week. The Committee will then have to schedule an Executive Session on the bill, vote on amendments, and vote to send the bill forward to the full Senate for consideration.

Public hearings scheduled on Governor's proposed budget

Public hearings on the 2009 Executive Budget bill (AB 75, link under Legislative Activity menu) have been scheduled by Joint Finance co-chairs Senator Mark Miller and Representative Mark Pocan. All hearings are scheduled for 10 AM to 4 PM.

Times are tough, but this is not the time for the state to compromise on its most valuable natural and economic resources. Continued funding for lake protection and water quality is a wise investment to boost the tourism economy, support the fishing industry, and protect waterfront property values.

We encourage lake enthusiasts to attend hearings in their area and express to our elected officials the importance of continued funding for lake and water programs.

• Monday March 23: Sparta
  American Legion Hall, 1116 Angelo Rd
  

• Wednesday, March 25: West Allis
  State Fair Park, Banquet Rm 2, 640 s. 84^th St
  

• Friday, March 27: Eau Claire
  UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, 121 Water St.
  

• Monday, March 30: Racine
  Case High School Theater. 7345 Washington Ave.
  

• Wednesday, April 1: Appleton
  Lawrence University Stansbury Theater, 420 College Ave
  

• Friday April 3: Cambridge.
  Amundson Community Center, 200 Spring St.

Independent DNR Secretary bill introduced

A bill has been introduced (AB 138) that would have the appointment of the DNR Secretary decided by the Natural Resources Board rather than the Governor. The bill has broad bi-partisan support with 68 legislators signed on as co-sponsors.

Under this bill, the NRB would appoint the DNR secretary for a four-year term. The NRB would have the authority to remove the Secretary from office at any time. If passed, the DNR Secretary in office when the bill takes effect would serve a four-year term beginning when he or she was appointed.

Many conservation groups, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, support the return of appointment authority for the DNR Secretary to the Natural Resources Board (NRB). The Natural Resources Board appointed the DNR Secretary until 1995, when the process was changed to allow the Governor to appoint the Secretary.

It is in the best interest of lakes and all the people who enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and living on lakes to have the DNR Secretary held solely accountable to the needs of the resource, the mission of the Department, and the guidance of the Natural Resource Board. Our lakes need effective leadership over time. Improving Wisconsin natural resources management means entrusting decisions to professional natural resource managers. Restoring the independence of the DNR Secretary will help ensure natural resource management decisions are made without undue political influence.

Governor Doyle has publicly supported an Independent DNR Secretary both as Governor and as Attorney General, but has recently reversed his position in a March 3, 2009 letter to citizens. If this issue is important to you, we encourage you to contact the Governor’s office with your opinion. 

Join us and lake enthusiasts from across Wisconsin on March 18-20^th at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay for the 31st annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention.

This year’s program will explore the global context of aquatic invasive species movement and Wisconsin's strategy of Smart Prevention, containment, and control. Sessions and workshops will offer hands on training and discussion on many important lake topics, from learning more about your lake's ecology, to interpreting and using lake data, to working with local partners for lake protection and running a more effective lake group.

Register online and download the full Convention agenda at the UW Extension Lakes website.

Wisconsin Conservation Congress hearings are April 13th

The 2009 Annual DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress County Meetings will take place on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7 p.m., in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties (hearing notice including rule proposals and hearing locations).

Attendees will have a chance to elect county delegates to represent their views on natural resource issues, record their preference for DNR rule proposals and weigh in on a variety of Natural Resources Board and Conservation Congress advisory questions. There is also an opportunity at the end of the hearing to introduce resolutions pertaining to the management of natural resources in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes raffle is starting! This year’s raffle prizes include:

1. A 2-night stay at Bart’s Cottages (Meta Lake in Eagle River, WI)!

2. A three night stay in a two bedroom lodge unit at Eagle Waters Resort (Eagle River, WI)!

3. Elkhart Lake Experience getaway: 2-night stay at the Osthoff Resort, golf outing, and dinner!

4. Two-Person Ocean Kayak & Accessories Package!

5. A weekend on Door County’s Clark Lake at Schumacher’s Landing!

6. A 3-night stay at Treeland Resorts on the Chippewa Flowage!

Download PDF for more information on prizes

Interested in more lake news? Get The Lake Connection and special e-mail bulletins from WAL

Our quarterly print publication, The Lake Connection, has in-depth articles about lake science and research that helps us better understand our lakes, analysis of legislative and agency policy proposals that may affect lakes, updates on WAL policy initiatives, success stories from local lake groups across the state, and information about WAL's upcoming events and lake education opportunities.

Special e-mail bulletins and ActionAlertsLakes help our lake organization and individual members stay connected to the action at the state Capital, and keep their own memberships informed and participating in the creation of lake policy

• WAL’s quarterly print publication, The Lake Connection.
• WAL’s special e-mail bulletins and Action Alerts
• analysis of lake policy issues, their potential effect on lakes, and talking points on various bills and administrative rules
• notification of opportunities for citizens to participate in the policy making process (public hearings, listening sessions, comment periods)
• guidance on the when, whos, and hows of contacting decision makers on specific issues
• sample letters to legislators, sample resolutions, and press releases
• tracking progress of WAL policy initiatives and lake related bills and rules as they move through the legislature
• special announcements about lake education and other events
• membership surveys, and opportunities for input on member services.

 Become a WAL member today!