The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) is a citizen-elected board that advises the Natural Resources Board on environmental policies. It holds hearings around the state each spring to encourage public input on various environmental resolutions. However, like many events this spring, this year’s Conservation Congress will look a bit different. There will no longer be in-person meetings around the state, but there will be valuable ways to participate online. Despite the changes, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress remains an important opportunity to voice your opinion about our environmental future.
Normally, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress holds hearings in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties in the spring. At these hearings, participants can contend for a delegate position, present resolutions, and vote on the resolutions. An online voting component was introduced in 2019 with much popularity, although resolution presentations and delegate voting had to occur in person. For more information on the traditional WCC and its history, see our recent blog on the topic.
Want to get involved in the Conservation Congress? Sign up here!
Online Voting: April 13 - April 16
Online voting will begin April 13 at 7 p.m. and will remain open for 72 hours, until April 16 at 7 p.m. The online portal will be accessible on the WCC website.
It's simple - Between April 13 and 16, click the link and fill out the survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020WISpringHearingInput)!
When voting, you will be asked to answer 55 questions related to environmental policy. This year, there are several issues that will be of particular interest to Sierra Club members.
We have the following official positions:
- QUESTIONS 1-7: The first seven questions are about requiring non-toxic shot. Vote YES on all of these questions. Non-toxic shot prevents lead from building up in animals and our environment.
- QUESTION 16: Do you support the department working with the legislature to restrict the baiting and feeding of deer statewide? YES as this can restrict the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
- QUESTION 19: Do you support legislation that would return authority to the DNR to utilize Earn-A-Buck herd management tool in overpopulated counties? YES Earn-A-Buck is an important program for controlling deer size and reducing the spread of disease.
- QUESTION 20: If greater flexibility is returned to the DNR, do you support allowing CDACs the ability to make recommendations regarding using Earn-A-Buck in their respective counties? YES Earn-A-Buck is an important program for controlling deer herd size and reducing the spread of disease.
- QUESTION 28: Would you support the Wisconsin Conservation Congress informing the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) that the proposed Back Forty Mine Project poses a significant threat to water quality in the Menominee River and Lake Michigan? YES The Back 40 Mine would have detrimental impacts on Wisconsin's environment, and will affect the long term economic benefits of a clean Menominee River. It is apparent that Michigan rushed through the mine approval without fully considering evidence of its likely impacts.
- QUESTION 55: Would you favor the legislature creating an alternative funding source in addition to license fees? YES.
- Additionally, if one or more of the following resolutions is introduced in your county, please support them: concerns about the NTEC fracked gas plant's impact on water, the Every Kid Outdoors pass to be accepted at Wisconsin state parks to allow 4th graders and their families free admission, and the opposition to the Line 5 pipeline.
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is a unique way for every Wisconsin citizen to have input in the future of our environment. Despite the strange circumstances, it is so important to make our voices heard. Make sure you tune in April 13-16 on the WCC website, and sign up here to stay informed in the meantime!
Find out more!
1) Watch the recording of our 4/13 virtual chat about the Conservation Congress.
2) Sign up to help! If you fill out this form, we'll check in with you to make sure you know how to vote online.
Submitting Resolutions: Due April 6
This year, both voting and resolution submission will occur remotely. Citizen resolutions can be submitted through April 6. You can submit a typed resolution via email or mail. If you are interested in submitting a resolution, please let us know by filling out this form to let us know. We are making sure that resolutions are submitted to as many counties as possible.
Each individual is able to submit up to 2 resolutions for their county to vote on. This year Sierra Club is recommending that our members submit one of the three following resolutions:
To submit a resolution:
- Click the link to read our three resolutions and identify the one or two that you’d like to submit to your county.
- Copy and paste the text of the resolution into an email. Be sure your email includes the following:
- The title of the resolution.
- The body text of the resolution.
- Your name
- Your mailing address
- Your county
- Your telephone number
- Your signature (can be digital if sending by email).
3. Double check to make sure you have everything described above, and if so, send the email to SpringHearingInfo@Wisconsin.gov.
For more information on how to write and submit resolutions, see the Wisconsin Conservation Congress website. If you have questions about Sierra Club’s resolutions or our Conservation Congress efforts, please contact Cassie at cassandra.steiner@sierraclub.org.