New DNR CAFO rules

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 27, 2018
CONTACT: Sarah Geers, Staff Attorney, MEA, 608-251-5047 x 5, sgeers@midwestadvocates.org

Raj Shukla, Executive Director, River Alliance, 608-257-2424 x 115,
rshukla@wisconsinrivers.org

Mary Dougherty, President, SRWN, 651-253-9352, srwnboard@gmail.com

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that its revised rules on livestock waste and runoff management will go into effect on July 1, 2018. Citizens and environmental groups worked for many years to pressure the state Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to put public health first in its regulation of livestock waste management. This rule represents modest improvements to protect families’ drinking water wells from contamination, but more needs to be done to protect drinking water.

“The drinking water quality crisis demands significant change in agricultural practices and groundwater protection,” said Midwest Environmental Advocates staff attorney Sarah Geers. “We hope that DNR will work with local land and water departments to ensure that this rule is implemented as quickly and effectively as possible. This rule represents incremental change in the right direction, but more is needed.”

Some of the most promising changes include:

• prohibition on mechanical applications of manure on fields that have less than two feet of soil over bedrock or groundwater; 
• prohibition on mechanical applications of manure on frozen or snow-covered ground on fields with less than five feet of soil over bedrock; and
• requirement that manure applications leave a 250-foot setback from drinking water wells.

However, given the public health threat from drinking water contamination, we need DNR to do more. This rule applies to both large and small farmers, but we should be asking more of large, industrial concentrated animal feeding operations. We need them to do more in areas like Kewaunee County that are very vulnerable to groundwater pollution and that already have so many cows and too much manure.
 
Additionally, we are disappointed that DNR declined to apply these modest protections to other areas of the state, such as southwest Wisconsin and the central sands region, which are equally susceptible to groundwater contamination as the area covered by the rule. “DNR needs to comprehensively monitor water quality to measure for effectiveness of these rule changes and also study well contamination in central, southern and southwestern Wisconsin,” said River Alliance of Wisconsin executive director Raj Shukla. "For DNR to delay action until widespread contamination causes another public health crisis is both unwise and irresponsible.”

Potluck TONIGHT!

Tonight, the Coulee Region Sierra Club will hold its annual summer potluck picnic starting at 6 p.m. at Onalaska's Rowe Park (Shelter #1). Hotdogs, utensils, and some beverages will be provided. Please bring some food to share with others. Everyone is welcome (you don't need to be a member).

This isn't a meeting and there won't be a program. It's a chance for those of us interested in the environment to come together, learn about what is happening locally to get people informed and involved, and what we can do together to ramp up local environmental action.

Nationally, the Sierra Club is encouraging municipalities and counties to commit to moving to 100 percent renewable energy - for city and community use - by 2050 or sooner. We will be working to encourage the City of La Crosse to make that Ready for 100 commitment soon and hope that example will help and encourage other communities in our area to make the move (as Madison and Eau Claire have already done in Wisconsin). There are many local and regional initiatives happening, too. This picnic will be a chance to share and connect (and eat great food and play horseshoes).

No RSVP needed. Tuesday, June 26 at 6 p.m. Shelther #1, Rowe Park (near the library) in Onalaska.

Sunday's La Crosse Tribune could have been called the environmental edition. From the front page to the features and letters, you could learn about how climate change is affecting us locally, how Winona is planning to replace its current fleet with electric vehiclesc to the continuing dangers and environmental disasters caused by our fossil fuel addiction.

Larry Sleznikow, of La Crosse Citizens' Climate Lobby, in his op ed, wrote about the importance of VOTING for those interested in the environment. Amazingly, a good chunk of people who say they are very concerned about the environment and climate change don't vote. "Voting amplifies our voice and along with other like-minded voters, becomes a shout that politicians will hear, pay attention to and act upon. We desperately need positive action by all levels of government to address climate change and environmental degradation. Resulting legislation should be bipartisan and well thought out using the best scientific information available. Denying or ignoring problems is not an option future generations can afford."

Ready for 100 - now more than ever

The CRSC Ready for 100 team is ready to take the next step toward helping Coulee Region communities commit to going 100% renewable by 2050 or sooner as nearly 100 US communities and counties (including the Wisconsin cities of Eau Claire and Madison) have done over the past couple of years.

The most recent reports on carbon emissions are not good. We have now surpassed 410 parts per million (350 ppm is the target for sustainability). The Trump administration is considering using cold war era rules to require subsidies of the fossil fuel industry, is preparing the path toward letting oil exploration leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and "quietly killed" the $10 million annual budget for NASA's carbon monitoring program. And Trump tariffs have reportedly shut down billions in new solar projects.

The R4100 local team wants the City of La Crosse and other communities to pledge to renewable energy. We are working on a presentation to educate community members about the issues and the initiative and to motivate them to contact their elected officials and push for a formal commitment. We will also help Coulee Region  Sierra Club members to start a Ready for 100 effort in their communities and possibly in Coulee Region counties as well.

If you would like to help create the presentation, please email us (crsierraclub at gmail)*. If you know of a community group where we could present (or if you would like to do or help with a presentation) please email. If you would like to contact your community leaders to get an initiative started or to help with the La Crosse initiative, please contact us.

*Next meeting week of June 11.

At a recent meeting Pope Francis held with fossil fuel industry executives, the choice was made clear. "Our desire to ensure energy for all must not lead to the undesired effect of a spiral of extreme climate changes due to a catastrophic rise in global temperatures, harsher environments and increased levels of poverty.”


Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, recently wrote,

"The biggest climate summit since Paris will happen this fall in California, but it may get lost amid season three of 'Unpatriotic Football Players' or what ever new provocation Trump dreams up. And that would be terrible, because this is time we’ll never get back. Even if a new president someday takes up climate seriously, the carbon we’re spewing now will still be in the atmosphere to haunt us over geological time. Time is the trouble."

June Newsletter

NEXT MEETING:POTLUCK! 6 pm Tuesday, June 26 at ROWE PARK SHELTER #1 in
Onalaska     Join Sierra Club friends for food and fun at 6 p.m. on June 26 at ONALASKA’S ROWE PARK, Shelter #1. From La Crosse, drive north on Rose Street (Hwy 35) to Onalaska.
Turn right onto Oak Forest Drive (by the Kwik Trip). At the second intersection, tur  left onto Hilltopper Drive and then stay right onto Park Drive. The first shelter you come to (on the right) is Shelter #1. The park is easily accessible from the interstate (La Crosse Exit 3 north to Onalaska) and from the north as well.

Please bring a dish to pass. Some beverages will be provided along with plates and utensils and some outdoor games. Please bring a guest! Contact us at crsierraclub at gmail.com or call 608 315-2693 with questions. (For a map of the park, visit https://tinyurl.com/RowePk-One )

Your summer VOTE can make a difference!     On Tuesday, August 14, Wisconsin voters will choose a candidate to run against Scott Walker in the November 6 gubernatorial election. There are currently 12 inidividuals running in the Democratic primary. The Democratic candidate will be chosen in the middle of school vacation/fishing/camping/canoeing/summer cottage season. August partisan primary turnout has been notoriously low - below 15% in 2014 and 2016 - highlighting the need for members to be alert and help others understand low important this election is. A recent San Francisco Chronicle article  noted that, “Walker continues to dominate the airwaves and stockpile resources as he seeks a third term. He had $4.2 million cash on hand in January.” Foxconn, destructive mining bills, lax CWD strategies, removal of environmental protections, deteriorating air and water quality standards, destruction of wetlands, politicizing the DNR, terrible roads, and allowing polluters to monitor themselves are part of the current governor’s legacy.

The upcoming gubernatorial primary and November 6 general elecction are critically important for the future of our state’s environment, natural areas, wildlife, climate future, public health and more. Now is the time to start preparing. 

Make sure you are properly registered. Ask friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers if they are registered. Registration and updates, if needed, can be made online or in the municipal clerk’s office. Those without driver’s licenses can get a FREE Wisconsin ID for voting purposes at DMV offices.

If you will be out of town on August 14, plan to vote absentee in person during the two weeks before (check with your clerk for dates and hours) or request an absentee ballot. Visit myvote.wi.gov for details about registration, voting, absentee ballots and more. Another good site is www.866ourvote.org.

Learn more about candidates at their web pages, by researching their records and speeches online, attending events, and checking with trusted online sources. Be aware that at least one popular voter info site has links to the Koch brothers.

Check these sites for useful information about issues and candidates:
* wisconsinvote.org - a service of Wisconsin Public TV and Radio
* wisdc.org/follow_the_money.html - from The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a database of political donors
* conservationvoters.org/elections/voter-resources - rmaintained by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters

COMMUNICATION UPDATE     This is one of four newsletters that we mail annually to members who don’t receive electronic communication. Some people do not “do” online and for them, the paper newsletter is the only way to learn what the Coulee Region Group is doing.

But, if you do use a computer and have an email address, consider that paper newsletters cost money, time and resources. If you can switch to online only, we will send you one email per month telling how to access the latest online newsletter. If you require a paper copy, you can print it yourself.

If you currently receive a mailed paper newsletter but could help out by switching to online only, email us at crsierraclub AT gmaiL OR call Pat at 608 788-8831.

Online resources include our web page at www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee and this blog. Subscribe to the blog to get new posts automatically emailed to you. Our newsletter is published online every month at the blog site. (Contact us if you’d like to blog here!)

Thank you new program chair!     Thank you Coulee Region group board member, Kathy
Allen for stepping in to fill the vacant Program Chair position. Kathy will help set up club meetings and events in the area starting with our June potluck at Rowe Park in
Onalaska . Thanks to Dr. Carol Miller who has set up several great events over the past few years including the upcoming talk (in September 2018) by Anders Olson on the most recent assessment of the City/County of La Crosse Sustainability Indicators. If you have meeting
or activity suggestions, please email us at crsierraclub at gmail.

FAMILY FRIENDLY BLACK RIVER CANOE CAMPING TRIP JULY 14-15     This favorite
kid friendly paddling trip is offered to encourage young families, families with kids, and the young-at-heart to join us on the water. We’ll take it slow, stop to play/explore as frequently as desired, cookout and sleep in tents on a sandbar and engage in creative outdoor play. All camping gear/food must fit in your boat. Contact: Kevin or Carol Olson at 608 963-2678,
608 356-8992, or olsonfam44 at centurytel.net or Pat or Bobbie Wilson at 608-788-8831, 608 397-2531 or pbwilson at centurytel.net. Online details are available at this link.

Help wanted!     The Coulee Region group stretches from Black River Falls to Sparta/ Tomah and all the way down to Platteville! If you know of or hear of something that other Coulee Region group members would be interested in, please email crsierraclub at gmail. If you would like to submit a blog post and/or an article about an environmental or outdoor activity happening in your area of the Coulee Region Group, please do! We can set you up as a regional correspondent on our blog site.Please email!

New and continuing members are also encouraged to email to learn how you can serve on an important Sierra Club committee or work group! 

Ready for 100 Team Update     The Coulee Region Sierra Club Ready for 100 team plans
to help encourage La Crosse to become a Ready for 100 community and to encourage and support CRSC members in other communities to approach and work with their municipalities to join the Ready for 100 movement. Ready for 100 information was available at the CRSC table at the La Crosse Earth Fair on April 29. Dozens of visitors signed on to encourage our communities to make the 100% clean energy commitment as early as possible. In May, some team members met with Mayor Kabat and city planners to learn what is already underway and what our next steps can be. Based on that meeting, we feel hopeful that City Council action can occur by the end of the year. Toward that goal, our team (please JOIN US!) will
work to inform and educate community and neighborhood groups about this important initiative. If you would like to help educate by presenting information at your school, club, neighborhood association or other community group OR if you have an idea for program
venue, please contact us at crsierraclub at gmail. If you would like to join the team - any CRSC member is welcome including those who live outside of the City of La Crosse! - please let us know.
 
June 2 - 9: Wisconsin Bike Week     The Wisconsin Bike Fed, in cooperation with dozens of state and local organizations and businesses, is sponsoring Wisconsin Bike Week from June 2 through June 9. Many communities will host special rides, promotions and events to celebrate the wonderful bicycle - an efficient and clean method of transportation, a family friendly recreation vector, a health improving, fun, amazing way to spend time. La Crosse is a hub for many activities which will kick off on June 2 with a Caledonia Street Block Party and continue with group rides, ride promotions, ride workshops, games and activities (see link for full schedule). 

Of particular note is the Tuesday, June 5 Ride with the Mayor. This annual event gives participants a chance to see what new infrastructure is in place and being planned, lobby for improvements with elected leaders and planners, and meet up with other bicycle advocates in our area. This year’s ride begins at Logan Middle School (1450 Avon Street) at 9:30
a.m. and will highlight some of the new projects on the north side of La Crosse. Everyone is welcome. 

Friends of the Blufflands     Friends of the Blufflands is a relatively new group formed to support and advocate for preservation and conservation of unique and sensitive area blufflands for their natural and scenic values. The group is hosting its Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Myrick Park Center. This event is free and open to everyone.

Reminder: Go Solar partnership     The John Muir Chapter Sierra Club has partnered with SunVest Solar, Inc. of Pewaukee to offer a group buy for Sierra Club members and friends to help shift iWisconsin from fossil fuels toward clean, renewable energy. Group buy benefits include the reduction in upfront costs and a simplified installation process. Also, for each unit installed through the program, SunVest will make a donation to the Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter to support their conservation work in Wisconsin. Homeowners, businesses, and non profits are encouraged to contact SunVest for a free no-obligation assessment and quote. Find more details and the application link at sunvest.com/programs/sierraclub.
.
The Energy Fair - June 15-17     The 29th annual Midwest Renewable Energy Fair will be held in Custer, Wisconsin (near Stevens Point) from June 15 through June 17. More than 250 workshops will be offered covering everything from do it yourself renewable energy
systems to food growing and preserving, renewable energy transportation, renewables and government, energy efficient buildings and systems, and much more. This year’s special programming will include a screening of the documentary, Solar Roots - The Pioneers of PV and speakers, Jeremy Scahill, Mihael Perry, and Lily Raff McCaulou and Jonahan Reinbold. 

Vendors, activities, solar tours, tiny homes, demonstration vehicles, and more round out the full weekend of renewable education and motivation. At program, info about tickets, and a schedule of workshops is available at www.theenergyfair.org. 

TRANSPORTATION: Xcel Energy is sponsoring a free bus on Saturday from Eau Claire with a stop in Osseo at 7:15 A.M. (returns to Osseo at 9:30 p.m.) Sign up online at www.theenergyfair.org/ec-bus-registration/ In addition, the Energy Fair is hosting an onine ride share tool to help connect those driving to the fair with those who need a ride
(share.TheEnergyFair.org) and there is a shuttle that runs regularly from lots in Stevens Point to the fair grounds.

LANDFILL TOUR     On Tuesday, May 15, more than a dozen members and friends of the Coulee Region Sierra Club joined La Crosse County’s Sustainability Coordinator, Nick Nichols, on a tour of the award-winning La Crosse County Landfill. Nichols discussed the many sustainability features of the operation including their partnership with the Habitat
ReStore; the methane recovery system that supplies fuel to heat a local hospital; the “waste to energy” partnership with a local utility; a program that recycles asphalt, concrete and blacktop into new roadbuilding materials; a program that helps recycle clean wood waste; and the hazardous waste program that recycles and properly disposes of potentially dangerous materials. Completed cells (full and capped) have been transformed, with the
help of area Eagle Scouts, into nature trails with picnic and recreation facilities. A small lake supports waterfowl and other wildlife and there are plans to build trails in the surrounding forested hills. In all, it was a fascinating and very educational program and we thank Nick Nichols for volunteering to show us around. He has offered to lead a hike through the forest this fall if members are interested. Read more about this unique facility at
lacrossecounty.org/solidwaste.

HIGHWAY CLEAN UP JULY 10     Our summer clean up of River Valley Drive will be on
Tuesday, July 10 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Meet at the pumping station just northwest of the Gilette Street intersection. Vests, gloves, and bags will be provided. Consider donning bug and sun protection. For more info, contact Pat or Bobbie at 608 788-
8831 or pbwilson at centurytel.net. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!

Reminder of events

May 15 - Tour La Crosse County Landfill with emphasis on sustainability features. Meet at 6 pm at landfill site - 0.8 miles past Woodmans toward West Salem on Hwy 16.

May 17 - at 6 pm, La Crosse Area Transit Advocates meeting at Southside Neighborhood Center (1300 Sixth St South) and at 6:30, monthly meeting of Citizen Climate Lobby of La Crosse at 401 West Avenue South.

May 19 - Two opportunities to learn about and discuss area mountain bike and hiking trails - ettiquette and shared use. One forum at noon, one at 3 pm during the Driftless Sports Convergence at the Onalaska Omni Center.

May newsletter

View and download the .pdf version at this link.

HIGHWAY CLEAN UP APRIL 28  The Coulee Region group will clean up its adopted section of roadway - River Valley Drive in La Crosse - on Saturday morning, April 28 beginning at 9:00 a.m. As usual, we will meet in the parking area of the water pumping station just northwest of the stop lights at the intersection of Gillette Street (Hwy B) and River Valley Drive. Gloves, safety vests, and bags will be provided. Our club clean up is part of the general Earth weekend clean up of the marsh area. At noon, a lunch for all clean up volunteers will be served at the Myrick Rod and Gun Club Shelter. If you have questions, please contact Maureen at 608 784-9324.

EARTH FAIR APRIL 29  The 10th annual La Crosse Earth Fair will be held at Myrick Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 with a Recycling Fair at nearby Emerson Elementary School. The Coulee Region Sierra Club will have a table at the fair encouraging attendees to learn about environmental issues and join our efforts. The fair will feature activities for children, hands on workshops, guided hikes, other educational activities. Attendees are encouraged to walk, ride their bikes, or take the shuttle. Passive House Tours of Western TC’s SwiPHt at 751 N. 24th Street will be held between 1 and 3 p.m. Read more at earthfairlacrosse.com. A Recycling Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the nearby Emerson Elementary School parking lot. Dynamic Recycling will accept most electronic items for a small fee. Cell phones will also be accepted for recycling. In addition there will be document shredding, flag retirement, scrap metal collection, and child car seat recycling.

LANDFILL TOUR MAY 15  The La Crosse County Landfill is the site of our next club gathering. La Crosse County Sustainability Coordinator Nick Nichols will take our group on a tour of the landfill which boasts several sustainability features. The landfill is a 350 acre complex which continually seeks to find new ways and partnerships to recycle, repurpose,
and reuse materials to keep them out of the waste stream. A DNR Green Tier Program participant, the landfill captures methane to fuel a local hospital complex, chips clean wood waste as an energy source for a local power plant, collects asphalt shingles to be ground and delivered to a local asphalt manufacturer for highway construction, collects concrete and used blacktop to be ground up and used for road base, and collects over 30,000 pounds of partially used paints, household cleaners, auto care cleaners and lubricants, pesticides and more from citizens, to be beneficially reused again by someone else in the community. Meet at 6 p.m. at the County Landfill (about 0.8 mile beyond Woodmans toward West Salem). You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate. If you would like to carpool - need or can provide a ride - or would like more information, email us at crsierraclub at gmail.

JOIN OUR TEAMS!  Water Team members will connect with the state water team through monthly conference calls, highlighting CR group water concerns and coordinating actions with the state team. Ready for 100 Team members will work to educate community leaders about switching to 100% renewable energy and support and advocate for ambitious goals and timelines. Email us to join! 

HELP NEEDED  Our current program chair, Carol Miller, needs to take a break from Sierra Club duties. We are looking for a member who would like to gather ideas and help set up
speakers and activities (four to six per year) for our group. We are still seeking Coulee  Region Sierra Club members who can help keep our club informed about actions, events, issues, and opportunities around the region. Can you email a report about an upcoming program in your area? Could you send some photos of an event? Would you like to write a column about environmental issues in your community? We are also looking for opportunities to connect members from all around the region. We would also like to find club members from outside the La Crosse area to table and/or provide information about the Sierra Club at community events and fairs. To volunteer, please email us!

MAY 19 SHARED USE TRAILS FORUMS  On May 19, as part of the Driftless Sports Convergence in Onalaska, the Seven Rivers Region Outdoor Recreation Alliance will sponsor two Community Trails Forums focusing on modern trail design for mountain biking, hiking, and shared use with shared goals of conservation and recreation. The forum will “also discuss proactive solutions for trail use and ettiquette in an effort to promote positive
experiences for all trail users.” These hour long workshops are free and will be held at noon and at 3 pm at the Onalaska Omni Center. For more information and to register, please visit tinyurl.com/laxtrailforums.

SUNVEST SOLAR GROUP BUY  A new John Muir Chapter partnership will help shift
Wisconsin from fossil fuels towrd clean, renewable energy. Pewaukee-based SunVest Solar will help members reduce upfront costs and simplify the installation process. Also, for each unit installed through the program, SunVest will make a donation to the Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter to support conservation work in Wisconsin. The program is open to home-owners, businesses, and non-profits. Find and fill out the contact form at sunvest.com/p r o g r a m s /sierraclub and SunVest will respond with an initial design and on-site assess-ment showing production and cost estimates.

THE ENERGY FAIR JUNE 15-17  The 29th Annual Energy Fair will be held in Custer,
Wisconsin (near Stevens Point) June 15-17. The mission is “to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability through education and demonstration.” This year’s fair will include 200+ workshops and demonstrations. Extended workshops will also be offered. Discounts on tickets and camping (optional) are given until May 17. See theenergyfair.org
for more details. If you plan to go and have space for more, please check cr-sierra.blogspot.com after May 1 for carpool signup options.

MAY 3 SOLAR GARDEN INFO  Xcel Energy will host a Community Solar Garden Information Session (Solar*Connect Community) on Thursday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at Western TC’s Lunda Center. Individuals and businesses wishing to “go solar” can learn more about the program, how to size solar subscripions, and how bill credits work. Community solar gardens give apartment dwellers and those without suitable sites or the ability to pay high upfront costs the chance to invest in solar. Read more at tinyurl.com/Xcel-solarconnect

ALEC AND THE ENVIRONMENT  The Center for Media and Democracy reports that the
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an industry group that writes legislation for states, is meeting in late April to polish bills for the next legislative season. Noting that ALEC IS “chock full of fossil fuel companies,” CMD writes, “One piece of priority legislation ... is the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act ... punative measure designed to frighten protestors with strict penalties and discourage large-scale demonstrations like the Dakota Access Pipeline protests ...” Some states, including Iowa have already passed and signed on to this legislation and it’s been introduced in several others. Another priority is legislation giving states greater control over permitting fossil fuel development on federal land within their
borders (where oil and gas lobbyists have more power and influence). For more details and other bills to watch out for, see tinyurl.com/Alecandenviro

Frog survey /Conservation Congress tonight

Reminder. If you can, please attend your county's Conservation Congress Spring Hearing tonight.

And

Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh is working with WisCorps to do a frog and toad survey this spring and summer. "Over the years, a few groups and individuals have undertaken surveys of frogs and toads in the marsh.  A WDNR survey and an Eco Park survey are perhaps the two most important for the La Crosse River Marsh.  Baseline data on amphibian populations is important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that amphibian populations are key indicators of water quality and overall ecological health.  Frog and toad choral surveys are relatively easy to conduct — perfect for a citizen science project."

Volunteers (great for families) are needed!

The survey will be done on set evenings, the first one here in April.  We’ll organize the survey and compile the data.  Surveyors will work in teams of two or more and each team will survey an easily accessible site—by bike, by foot, or by car.  

If you are interested, the first order of business is to learn frog and toad calls.  Here’s a URL from WDNR that you can use to learn the calls.  It also includes a self quiz.  You will want to learn the following calls:  Wood Frog, Northern Spring Peeper, Western Chorus Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, American Toad, Eastern Gray Treefrog, Green Frog, and Bull Frog.  These are listed in approximately the order when they first start to call in the spring. Leopard frogs have already been spotted, so don't delay.

For more information, contact Friends of the Marsh or WisCorps.