Environmental Stewardship

With a growing awareness of global environmental concerns, communities in northern Wisconsin are actively working to preserve and protect the unique natural resources that enrich their region.  Environmental education plays an important role in improving the public's understanding of local and regional actions.  Individuals, businesses, and local officials in Douglas County seek to enhance a joint commitment to economic development in the region that sustains the region's natural environment.

Wetlands Designation/Preservation
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses a wetland classification definition that is broader and more inclusive than the federal definition used by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Under the current DNR wetland classification system, Douglas County has approximately 150,000 acres of wetlands (18 percent of the county's total land area), and Superior has 3,500 acres of wetlands (37 percent of the city's total land area).  Although certain areas in Superior and Douglas County are not classified as wetlands by the Army Corps of Engineers, the DNR has mapped them as such.  With better mapping techniques currently available, the original mapping by the DNR should be updated.

The new rules on "Water Quality Standards for Wetland" (NR 13) proposed by the DNR are restrictive and would supersede the current federal-level authority for wetland fill permits.  In 1990, Douglas County citizens, local government officials, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency formed a Technical Advisory Committee in cooperation with the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) to develop a Special Area Management Plan (SAMP).  The SAMP is being developed in conjunction with federal guidelines and standards to identify wetlands, potential development areas, and mitigation requirements for replacement of wetlands used for development purposes.  In December 1990, the NWRPC submitted a resolution to the state requesting that the proposed NR 103 on "Water Quality Standards for Wetlands" be revised.  Residents of Superior, Douglas County, and northern Wisconsin urge the state to revise the proposed NR 103 on "Water Quality Standards for Wetlands" and to assist in the implementation of the SAMP to promote regional economic development in harmony with the environment.

Railroad Responsibility Act
Railroad companies are currently able to abandon trackage and facilities in Wisconsin with little input from the affected communities.  While other industries are required to maintain stringent environmental health standards, railway properties have been able to abandon contaminated land.  The enactment of a Railroad Responsibility Act would require and environmental assessment of property prior to abandonment.  Area citizens should be educated on the potential environmental hazards of the abandoned property in order for them to make informed decisions on the lease, sale, or donation of railroad property.  Railroad companies should be discouraged from transferring property to communities that are not financially equipped to conduct an environmental clean-up.  With state assistance in the enactment of a Railroad Responsibility Act, area citizens would be able to better preserve the environment while simultaneously promoting environmental ethics among railroad companies.

Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act
In 1987, the state legislature passed Act 342 and created a state emergency response commission in conjunction with the Federal Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act (SARA).  Fee collected from local industries were to be used to fully fund county expenses relating to the SARA program.  Douglas County received $5,590 in 1988 and $26,690 in 1989, which enabled them to cover the actual expenses incurred.  Due to changing regulations in 1990, Douglas County received only $8,892 while its actual expenses were $20,400.  The legislature's original intent was to assist counties with expenses incurred as they complied with the state's mandate.  However, funds collected from local industries have been used for state-level programs.  The state is urged to return funds to the respective counties as was originally intended.