Conservation groups said a bill scheduled for a hearing at the state Capitol on Tuesday could threaten 20 percent of Wisconsin’s wetlands.
The Republican-backed measure would give more clout to shoreline property owners, utilities and other groups. The Wisconsin Wetlands Association says the bill would allow too much dredging of wetlands along the edge of a lake and reduce protection of wetlands not under federal control.
Association Executive Director Tracy Hames said developers might see economic development when they alter wetlands, but he sees harm.
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“What happens is we end up changing the way water flows across our landscape, because wetlands are the great regulators of our water,” Hames said. “They capture runoff, and slow it down and cleanse our water, keep our lakes clean and cool.”
The main sponsor of the wetlands bill, state Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, is expected to testify about the measure Tuesday. His office didn’t provide a statement in advance of the hearing.
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