Here is the testimony from our Director, Bill Davis, on the Wetlands Destruction Bill (SB600/AB547) from the hearing on December 21.
Statement of the Sierra Club’s John Muir Chapter in opposition to
Senate Bill 600/Assembly Bill 547
December 21, 2017
Chairman Cowles and Swearingen and members of the committees, my name is Bill Davis. I am the Chapter Director for the John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide comments in opposition to SB 600/AB 547. The John Muir Chapter represents over 18,000 members and supporters living throughout the state. We work to provide opportunities for Wisconsinites to enjoy nature and advocate for the fair and rational management of our common resources so that all Wisconsin residents have access to the clean air, water and land they need for their health, safety and well-being as well as to move our economy forward.
Under the proposal, SB600/AB 547 developers can fill Non-federal wetlands without a permit or any environmental review. Non-federal wetlands account for an estimated 20% of Wisconsin’s wetlands, approximately one million acres.
Protecting wetlands protects the citizens of Wisconsin and where we live. Although these are often described as “isolated” or “ephemeral”, these wetlands are hydrologically connected to surface and groundwater in many valuable ways and provide many public benefits. Non-federal wetlands are diverse, high quality, and important. Without wetlands, we will see increased flooding, worse water quality, and fewer habitats for important waterfowl, fish, and other animals.
Flawed Process
SB600/AB 547 is extremely damaging to the hunting and fishing community as well as those that will be subject to increased flooding and decreased water quality. The fact that the legislature is only holding one hearing, in Madison, the day before many people will be traveling for the Holidays is an insult to the people of Wisconsin. A subject of this magnitude deserves thoughtful input and consideration from all people that will be affected by it. There are wetlands that will be affected by this bill in all parts of the state. There should be hearing around the state to allow those citizens to be heard.
Increased flooding and decreased water quality
Non-federally protected wetlands serve other important ecosystem roles, such as filtering pollutants from getting into Wisconsin lakes and streams, and providing valuable flood storage thereby reducing flood damage to public and private property during storm events. The latter is particularly important given the increased number of high intensity storms the state is experiencing.
Habitat
The wetlands affected by this bill occur throughout the state. A large proportion of them are high quality providing critical habitat for waterfowl, furbearers, pheasants and other game, nongame and endangered species valuable habitat throughout the state of Wisconsin. In addition these nonfederal wetlands often form the headwaters of Wisconsin’s streams including Wisconsin’s prized trout waters. They also:
· Provide critical and abundant habitat for waterfowl game species production;
· deliver year-round base flow to cold water trout streams;
· improve water quality by slowing the flow and reducing erosion;
· are home for a variety of rare plants, animals, and birds.
Picking Winners and Losers
Some will undoubtedly argue that this bill is somehow protecting private property rights; it isn’t, it is simply deciding who can impose a burden on other landowners. We often receive calls in our office from landowners around the state complaining that they have erosion or flooding problems, or no longer see various waterfowl or songbirds they used to enjoy because their neighbor has destroyed an adjacent wetland. This bill will increase this exponentially. This is not defending private property it is allowing one property owner to diminish the quality of life of another property owner. That is bad public policy plain and simple.
It is for these reasons we urge the committee to oppose SB 600/AB547.
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.