We are happy to report on a great turnout of over fifty citizens to the last Legislative Water Quality Task Force hearing in La Crosse, and a line-up of excellent invited speakers. 

Andrew Aslesen, Sourcewater Protection Specialist with Wi Rural Water Association, Dr. Tony Runkel, Chief Geologist at the Minnesota Geological Survey, and Paul Putzier, Minnesota Hydrogeologist and Supervisor of the County Geologic Atlases for Water Resource Management program, Kim Wright of Midwest Environmental Advocates, Greg Stangle, Director of Department of Land Conservation, and Carol Drury, the La Crosse Environmental Health and Lab Manager, as well as Jason Fuller, founder of Carbon Cycle Consulting LLC all added their expertise and essential context to the conversations of the day.

Crawford Stewardship Project joined Dave Troester and Ben Wojahn (County Conservationists for Crawford and Vernon Counties, respectively) in calling on the legislature to fund our Driftless Area Water Study, while a host of other organizations and concerned citizens showed up to send the message to the Task Force that “business as usual” is no longer an option and we need study, proactive protections, and immediate solutions for those already dealing with polluted water.   

It was an inspiring day, and we hope you can join us in pushing the state to take real action to protect our fundamental right to clean water. There is still time to comment!

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Water Quality Task Force website

Watch hearings live on WisconsinEye