Thank you to everybody who participated in voting and spreading the word for the Wisconsin Conservation Congress! We made it clear that we want strong environmental protections and a bright environmental future for our state.
One of the most important questions from the Conservation Congress questionnaire was whether or not people supported DNR opposition to Enbridge’s Line 5 tar sands pipeline, and that passed as well! Read the press release here.
Also, the resolution that appeared in 15 counties calling for the DNR to avoid all new fossil fuel infrastructure passed in most and received statewide approval overall. 
County |
Yes Votes |
No Votes |
Results |
|
Ashland |
44 |
41 |
51.76% |
|
Bayfield |
100 |
75 |
57.14% |
|
Dane |
682 |
223 |
75.36% |
|
Eau Claire |
70 |
54 |
56.45% |
|
Iron! |
17 |
15 |
53.13% |
|
La Crosse |
64 |
52 |
55.17% |
|
Menomonee |
2 |
0 |
100.00% |
|
Milwaukee |
197 |
107 |
64.80% |
|
Portage |
91 |
86 |
51.41% |
|
Racine |
60 |
50 |
54.55% |
|
Brown |
85 |
88 |
49.13% |
|
Dunn |
43 |
43 |
50.00% |
|
Kenosha |
24 |
49 |
32.88% |
|
Marathon |
79 |
183 |
30.15% |
|
Waukesha |
147 |
195 |
42.98% |
|
Total |
1705 |
1261 |
57.48% |
Some of the questions and resolutions received overwhelming support like the 92% of people who approved the Every Kid Outdoors Pass for Wisconsin’s state parks, the 85% of people who approved stricter PFAS regulations, and the 89% of people who supported environmental impact considerations for high-capacity well applications. Here is the full list of the resolutions Sierra Club took a position on:
Question |
Sierra Club Position |
Result (Wisconsin Residents)(all questions aligned with our position) |
|
30. Do you support the formation of a collaborative scientific working group composed of DNR, NRB, DATCP, WCC, CDAC, Wildlife Groups, Deer Farming Organizations and Native American Tribes to collaborate on the scientific research efforts to address health related issues leading to the development of CWD in deer and elk in our state? |
YES |
81.45% |
|
31. Would you support the Governor, Wisconsin legislators, the NRB and DNR Secretary uniting to implement the AFWA Best Management Practices for Prevention, Surveillance, and Management of Chronic Wasting Disease to control the spread and slow the increasing rate of prevalence of CWD in Wisconsin’s deer herd? |
YES |
70.21% |
|
33. Would you support legalizing the harvest of white (not albino) deer statewide? |
NO |
50.87% failed |
|
36. Do you support the allowing dog training, trialing, and hunting on state-owned land from April 15-July 31 without requiring the use of an 8- foot leash? |
NO |
55.22% failed |
|
38. Do you support WCC opposition to construction of a new 42-mile segment of the Enbridge Line 5 crude oil pipeline in Ashland and Iron Counties to replace the existing portion of the Line 5 pipeline that bisects the Reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa? |
YES |
58.66% |
|
39. Do you support WCC opposition to issuance of any permits for the Line 5 project by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at the conclusion of its EIS process? |
YES |
57.99% |
|
40. Would you support legislation to require perennial native species vegetative buffers of 50 feet along rivers and streams and 16.5 feet along ditches not covered by local zoning ordinances under Wisconsin’s Shoreland Management Program in NR 115? |
YES |
73.91% |
|
41.Should the Wisconsin Conservation Congress support DNR’s use of a fact-specific determination process for high capacity well applications that considers environmental impacts such as potential effects on groundwater protection areas, water loss, degradation of safe drinking water or groundwater, and impacts when combined with other wells to springs, navigable waters and public water systems? |
YES |
88.96% |
|
49.Do you support the Conservation Congress working with DNR to accept Every Kid Outdoors passes at state parks in Wisconsin? |
YES |
91.82% |
|
55. Do you favor the DNR working with the Legislature to restore local control by allowing counties to develop ordinances to protect their lakes, rivers and wetlands? |
YES |
76.72% |
|
56.Do you favor the Conservation Congress working with the legislature to add more positions to the Office of Applied Science? |
YES |
72.59% |
|
Avoid all new fossil fuel infrastructure |
YES |
57.48% |
|
Stricter regulations on PFAS chemicals |
YES |
84.63% |
Check out the full results here.
There is still a lot of work to be done to make sure the DNR and Wisconsin legislature follows through on what the people want, but this is a great, celebratory moment for everyone in Wisconsin who cares about the environmental movement. Thanks again to everyone who voted and spread the word to make this a success!
Written by Beto Spielvogel, Organizing Intern with the Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter