Tomah alert - filling pristine wetlands

This article in today's La Crosse Tribune outlines plans by a Georgia based timber investment company to fill in several acres of pristine wetlands to support a frac sand mining operation.

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/timber-company-sweetens-deal-for-monroe-county-frac-project/article_0bad53e9-0284-5106-a1d1-9d9f7c181aa5.html

There will be a public hearing in April and written comments may be submitted by email or snail mail.

Public hearing: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 18 at the Tomah Park and Recreation Building, 1625 Butts Ave.

Written comments may be submitted by email or mailed to Wisconsin DNR, RE: Docket#IP-WC-2016-42-00902, 5301 Rib Mountain Dr., Wausau, WI 54401.

Comments must be postmarked by April 28.

This would be a good action item for every Coulee Region Sierra Club member.

March Newsletter

CLIMATE ACTION FAIR - MARCH 4: The Coulee Region Climate Alliance will host its second annual CLIMATE ACTION FAIR on Saturday, March 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, (Main Street and Losey Boulevard). In addition to representatives from local groups, including the Sierra Club, and tables full of information, this year there will be short workshop/ presentation sessions, where local people with experience in taking climate-friendly actions will share how YOU can make a difference too! Check the blog or the Facebook event for a schedule of these sessions and more details on the event. And, there will be door prizes plus snacks and beverages. Open to all! Donations to help cover costs accepted.

Connect with us online! We’re communicating online as much as possible. If you prefer to receive mailed paper newsletters (published in March, June, September and December), please contact Pat at 608 788 8831 or pbwilson[at]centurytel.net, otherwise please send him your email address! Subscribe
to CR-Sierra.blogspot.com and receive updates as they are published, including monthly online newsletters. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter (@CRSierraClub)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION  There are three open board seats. Vote for up to three candidates. Feel free to write in candidate(s) if you wish. Write up to THREE members' names on a card and mail it by March 20 to Barb Frank, 1965 Valley Road, La Crosse 54601 OR vote at the March 28 meeting. Candidates standing for the open positions: Nancy Hartje, Bill Katra (incumbent), Avery Van Gaard (incumbent)

LET'S CONNECT!  The Coulee Region group covers a lot of territory and includes members in all corners of the seven counties. We want to make sure every member has a chance to participate - in leadership (group, state, and national), committees, events, and more.

You can help the Coulee Region Sierra Club grow and maintain a strong voice for the environment in our region and state.  Email CRSierraClub[at]gmail.com.

Reporters/Bloggers - we need to know what’s happening! Can you report from your area? What events would members be interested in, what issues are people  facing, what actions could benefit from more members’ attention? Please email articles, announcements, photos, ideas, etc. If you’d like to write a regular monthly report for the newsletter, note that in the email. If you’d like to blog at CRSierra.blogspot.com, note that in your email.

Tablers - there are many events around the area where we could set up a display and talk to potential new members if we had more people to do it! We have the display and materials. We need folks who’d help set up, sit at, and take down the display at local events. Email if interested.

Board member/Club needs - Run for the board, head a committee, help set up events, work on programs and activities, or organize members in your area, Email to volunteer or with your ideas.

Issues chairs - The John Muir (Wisconsin) Chapter has five current conservation priorities: Mining, Protecting Native Forests & Wildlife, Protecting Water Resources, Moving from Coal to Clean Energy, and Moving Beyond Oil to Clean Transportation. The Coulee Region group has been concentrating on Clean Energy and Clean Transportation, but if any of these topics is dear to you, please volunteer for a state wide issues team by contacting Elizabeth Ward at (608) 256-0565 or (elizabeth.ward[at]sierraclub.org).

Executive Committee - The Coulee Region group currently does not have a member on the state (John Muir Chapter) executive board. That board meets monthly, often online, sometimes in the Madison area, to help guide priorities for state actions.

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! The Coulee Region Group welcomed 46 new members in January!  Collin Belby, Joyce Hagmann, Tom Larson, James R Parker, Jacob Sciammas, Susan Thompson, Christopher & Krista Huiras - La Crosse;  Philothea Bezin, Amy Crofts, R Jackson & K M Sullivan, D Romary & A Schneeberg – Viroqua; Staci Strobl, Spencer Olds - Platteville; Steve & Linda Hayes - Onalaska; Steve Hodge, Carol Kramer, Mike Meyer - Richland Center; Margaret Rewald, Paula Voskuil - Black River Falls; Kaitlin Earley, Steven Kelly - Holmen; Ann Werner - Sparta;  Joyce Stenner – Prairie du Chien;  Kjerstin A Lang – La Farge; Shanna Jensen – Westby; Tom Crabtree, Mark Tiller- Blue River; Paul Owecke – Trempealeau; Bonnie Kindschy – Whitehall; S Drobnick - Boscobel; Michelle Glandt -  Bangor; Robert & Marcia Hardie - Taylor; Forest Jahnke-Pestcoe - Gays Mills; Kathy Jaszewski - Arcadia; George Kreuzer - Stoddard; Roger Kvamme - Tomah; Paul Manter, Vicki & Richard Miller - West Salem; Dan Sebranek - Coon Valley; Josey Yutzy - Hillsboro.

DNR TREE AND SHRUB SALE  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sells tree and shrub seedlings to  all Wisconsin landowners regardless of residence. Trees must be planted in Wisconsin and used only for conservation purposes such as forest products, wildlife habitat and erosion control. State nursery stock may not be resold, used for ornamental, decorative or landscaping purposes or Christmas tree production.

The minimum order is one packet*, 500 shrubs or  1000 trees. Tree and shrub seedlings must be ordered in increments of 100 of each species. Call 715-424-3700 or email with questions. More info: tinyurl.com/witrees

Order by printing/completing the order form (tinyurl.com/witreeord) and mailing it with check for FULL PAYMENT. Sale continues until all stock sold.

*A packet consists of 300 seedlings of the landowners own choice of any combination of conifers, hardwoods or wildlife shrubs, in increments of 100 of each species.

CITIZENS' WATER LOBBY DAY  Hundreds of Wisconsin citizens packed the state capitol February 8 for the first ever Citizens’ Water Lobby Day. Hosted by the Sustain Rural Wisconsin Net-work, the event helped citizens share their concerns about water issues with legislators.

Coulee Region Sierra Club members and others met with La Crosse area Representatives Jill Billings and Steve Doyle who came to greet them even though the Assembly was in session. Their staffers joined Sen. Jennifer Shilling’s staff member to note constituent concerns and discuss next steps. Look for water-centered listening sessions in at least part of the Coulee Region group’s territory this spring.

Earlier, a small contingent of CRSC members had less success trying to visit with Rep. Lee Nerison (R-96). Nerison’s aide arrived 10 minutes late (for a previously confirmed 20 minute meeting) and brought  a police officer with her. She refused to open the office and insisted that the group meet in the cramped hallway. When constituents insisted on finding a more suitable location, she agreed to meet in an empty hearing room nearby.

Rep. Nerison’s aide took no notes as citizens voiced their concerns. The meeting ended abruptly when a constituent asked her to work on scheduling at least one in-district open to the public listening session where Rep. Nerison himself would attend and talk with voters. She responded that it was unfair to demand an answer on the spot and she left the room. Constituents noted that Nerison has never held an in-district, open to the public listening session. He did not attend this meeting.

Whether or not you were able to attend the Citizens’ Water Lobby Day, consider contacting your Representatives in person (best), by phone (good), or by email (less effective but better than nothing) about your own water concerns including accessing public water ways, high capacity wells, Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs), increasing flooding, oil trails, phosphorous contamination, bluegreen algae, and more.

SPEAK UP FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT! The Conservation Congress is the citizen-advisory body to the Natural Resources Board, which advises the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It offers policy suggestions on bag limits, hunting rules, and other issues that impact our natural resources and advises on the process of making permitting decisions and legislation that should be supported. At annual Conservation Congress Spring Hearings, delegtes get feed back from attendees who are also able  to introduce resolutions for consideration at the following year’s Hearings.

This year’s Spring Hearing, one in every Wisconsin county, will be held on April 10 at 7:00 pm. Locations for each county’s meeting are shown here:  tinyurl.com/wiccspgloc

There are a number of very important issues on the agenda this year including questions about our water policy, the DNR permitting process, state parking funding and more.  There are also questions about a moratorium on frac-sand mining permits and repealing the Bad River Destruction Act.

You can show up and fill out the questionnaire and leave. If you stay, there will be an opportunity to stand and speak to support or oppose any of the questions. You also have the opportunity to vote for a delegate for your county to serve on the Conservation Congress. You must bring your ID to show you are a resident of that county if you want to vote for delegates for your county.

The Sierra Club is looking for people willing to speak for one or more of the important resolutions in each county. We are also looking for someone in each county to introduce a resolution opposing the repeal of Wisconsin’s Mining Moratorium. Can you help?

Please visit tinyurl.com/wiccspghrng to RSVP and to sign up to speak at this important event.

PLEASE SPEAK OUT! MORE CHALLENGES TO OUR ENVIRONMENT  Major changes to environmental management, monitoring and enforcement are under way. Call your representatives to voice your opinions. Find contact info here: legis.wisconsin.gov/About/Contact

Comment by February 27 on a DNR plan to  increase northern forest timber cutting. tinyurl.com/wiforestcuts

Republicans hope to loosen requirements governing high capacity wells. More: tinyurl.com/wihcwells

Comment by March 3 on DNR plans to loosen dredging rules on inland lakes. More: tinyurl.com/widrdg

Republicans plan to repeal Wisconsin’s landmark mining moratorium. More: tinyurl.com/wiminingmor 

Attend CONSERVATION LOBBY DAY, March 29 in Madison. More: tinyurl.com/wiconslobby

HIGHWAY CLEAN UP  The spring highway cleanup on the Coulee Group’s adopted highway – River Valley Drive in the La Crosse River marsh – will be on Saturday, April 29 starting at 10 a.m.  This will be part of the Earth Fair marsh clean up day and will include free lunch at Myrick Park afterwards. Meet at the city water well building at the intersection of County Highway B (Gillette Street) and River Valley Drive. Wear old clothes and bring work gloves. Safety vests and bags are provided.

Our summer clean up will be on Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. followed by a trip to Rudy’s Drive In.

For more info,  contact Pat or Bobbie  at 608 788-8831 or email.

Reminder - Feb. 28 UWL tour

The Coulee Region Sierra Club will sponsor a tour of the new UWL Student Union on Tuesday, February 28 beginning at 7 p.m. We will meet at the info desk on the main floor. The tour will highlight sustainability features of the new building completed in January. You may park free in the stadium lot OR take the #4 bus which stops along East Avenue just near the Union. You don't need to be a Sierra Club member to attend! RSVP (not required) by February 26: tinyurl.com/uwlstutour

DNR New plan for northern forests

Highlight from latest Jennifer Shilling newsletter:

http://dnr.wi.gov/News/Weekly/#art5

Public meetings set on changes to northern forests master plans
MADISON -- The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the final proposal from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for a master plan variance that will classify 75 percent of the state's northern forests as forest production areas.

The master plan variance was directed by, and compliant with, Wisconsin Act 55, 2015 Wisconsin Act 358 and 28.04(3). The legislation directs the department to propose a variance to the master plans of all northern state forests, except Governor Knowles State Forest, so that 75 percent of all the land is classified as a forest production area. The DNR is conducting the planning for all the affected state forests simultaneously to gain efficiencies and consistency, and to make engagement and review from interested parties more streamlined, according to Carmen Hardin, DNR Director of Forest Management.

Using public input from previous open houses and comment periods, and additional analysis, DNR staff refined and identified specific land management classification changes for each property, and drafted proposed changes to land management classifications to meet the 75 percent forest production directive.

Northern state forests include: Northern Highland American Legion State Forest; Peshtigo River State Forest; Flambeau River State Forest; Coulee Experimental State Forest; Black River State Forest; and Brule River State Forest. Together these forests account for 451,000 acres of forest in northern Wisconsin. Currently 66 percent of the lands are designated for forest production.

Public comments, and a response to comments received during the first phase of public review, along with maps and revised documents for the northern forests land classification variance can be found by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords "master planning," and then click on the links for "Northern State Forests".

All of the documents and associated maps will be available at the open houses that will be held:

• Wednesday, Feb. 22, Woodruff - 4-6 p.m., Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest meeting: Woodruff Town Hall, 1418 First St.
• Thursday, Feb. 23, Brule - 6-8 p.m. (with a presentation at 7:00p.m.), Brule River State Forest meeting: Brule Town Hall, 5814 S. Maple St.

The documents and maps will also be available for review during open office hours that will be held:

• Wednesday, Feb. 22, Black River Falls - Noon-4 p.m., Black River State Forest office, W10325 Highway 12.
• Thursday, Feb. 23, Winter - Noon-4 p.m., Flambeau River State Forest, W1613 County Road W.

In addition to submitting comments at the open houses and open office hours, people can fill out online surveys or submit comments by email through the master planning pages for the properties. The public comment period runs through Feb. 27, 2017

March 2 Film - The Age of Consquences!

Coulee Partners for Sustainability is sponsoring a new and important film in our community. This is a Tugg event so CPS must PRE-sell at least 70 tickets by February 23 in order to make it a go! You can only get tickets online. You will not be charged until the minimum has been met. If you have friends or relatives who still don't get that global warming is a major threat to our world and our national security, bring them to this film.

Global warming continues to challenge the health and safety of our planet. It is time to educate our selves and move to action to save humanity!

‘The Hurt Locker’ meets ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, THE AGE OF CONSEQUENCES investigates the impacts of climate change on increased resource scarcity, migration, and conflict through the lens of US national security and global stability.Through unflinching case-study analysis, distinguished admirals, generals and military veterans take us beyond the headlines of the conflict in Syria, the social unrest of the Arab Spring, the rise of radicalized groups like ISIS, and the European refugee crisis – and lay bare how climate change stressors interact with societal tensions, sparking conflict. Whether a long-term vulnerability or sudden shock, the film unpacks how water and food shortages, drought, extreme weather, and sea-level rise function as ‘accelerants of instability’ and ‘catalysts for conflict’ in volatile regions of the world.

These Pentagon insiders make the compelling case that if we go on with business as usual, the consequences of climate change – waves of refugees, failed states, terrorism – will continue to grow in scale and frequency, with grave implications for peace and security in the 21st century. The film’s unnerving assessment is by no means reason for fatalism – but instead a call to action to rethink how we use and produce energy. As in any military defense and security strategy, time is our most precious resource.

Q&A to Follow

March 2 - Making walking & biking routine

Many communities in the United States, from small towns to large cities, are promoting walking and bicycling for routine travel—to work, school, church, stores, and other common activities.  By shifting some routine automobile trips to walking and bicycling, leaders believe that they can improve the health, environment, economy, and attractiveness of their local communities. 

These goals emphasize that creating better streets and pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists can help attract new workers, tourists, and make the community more enjoyable and sustainable for all residents, including people who don’t own cars. 

As a result, walking and bicycling are on the rise.  This presentation will focus on strategies to increase walking and bicycling and will include examples from leading communities in the United States.

Robert J. Schneider, an Associate Professor in the  University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee department of Urban Planning, will present a free public talk on the UW-L campus: "Strategies to Make Walking & Bicycling Routine: Examples from Leading Communities."  Thursday, March 2nd from 4-5pm in 1400 Centennial Hall, with refreshments beforehand in the Centennial Hall of Nations.


Sponsors: UWL Department of Geography and Earth Science, Environmental Studies, History Department and the City of La Crosse.

Please come if you are a walker and/or a bicyclist AND help us spread the word!

La Crosse Sustainability Events

The City of La Crosse’s annual report to the Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter has just been released. Read it here:  http://greentiercommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/2014/08/CityLaCrosse2016Report.pdf


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Also, on February 15, the Sustainable La Crosse Commission will meet and host a forum on waste recycling.


- AGENDA - 

• Approve Minutes

• Staff Report and Information Update

• Discussion and Action on Sustainability Analytics' Proposal to update the Sustainability Indicator Data (

• Update and possible action on revising the City/County enabling ordinances

• Discussion and possible action on business representative vacancy

• Recycling forum

Sustainable La Crosse Commission to Host Forum on Waste Recycling
(LA CROSSE, Wis. – February 6, 2017) – The Sustainable La Crosse Commission (SLC) will be hosting a forum on the waste recycling issues in the La Crosse area. The forum will be open to the public and is intended to encourage a wide-ranging discussion about various recycling topics, including curbside recycling programs, the Xcel waste-to-energy contract extension, Styrofoam and mattress recycling, and reducing the amount of refuse that goes into our county landfill. Individuals representing the La Crosse Refuse and Recycling department and the La Crosse County Solid Waste department have been invited to participate.

The forum will be held in the La Crosse City Hall 3rd floor Conference Room, 400 La Crosse Street and will help guide future deliberations by the Commission about improving recycling programs in the La Crosse area.
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Also, at 4:30 pm, the La Crosse Area Planning Committtee Policy Board will discuss alternativee transportation and land use planning in room 1107 of the County Administrative Building (6th and State). More details here.

Jason Valerius, MSA Professional Services, will facilitate the first of 3 LAPC meetings devoted to the “Regional Mobility Framework,” a plan for implementing Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures in the La Crosse and La Crescent area

Age of Consequences

Coulee Partners for Sustainability is hosting a screening of the new film THE AGE OF CONSEQUENCES as a Tugg event.At least 70 tickets must be sold by February 23 in order for the event to proceed. If you can, please plan to attend!

Global warming continues to challenge the health and safety of our planet. It is time to educate our- selves and move to action to save humanity. The Age of Consequences investigates the impacts of climate change on increased resource scarcity, migration, and conflict through the lens of US national security and global stability.

The local screening is on March 2, 2017 from 7:30-9:15 at Marcus La Crosse Cinema (Ward Avenue, La Crosse) through Tugg, an online service that connects films, audiences, and theaters. At least 70 tickets must be PRE-SOLD (online only!) before the February 23 deadline in order to make this screening happen!

Get your tickets here: www.tugg.com/events/the-age-of-consequences

Reminder: Wednesday = Citizen Water Lobby Day

In case you missed it, the Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network is hosting a Citizen Water Lobby Day in Madison's capitol on Wednesday, February 8. There is a free bus from La Crosse (check the RSVP site to see if there are seats left). But you don't need to be on the bus to attend. Visit and sign in at the Facebook page for more details.

Those from Vernon County may meet with Rep. Lee Nerison at 1 p.m. in his office (thank you Guy for arranging this!) Currently a big issue for Vernon (and other) County residents is the lack of access to public waterways because of confusing and restrictive railroad "trespassing" laws.
At 1:30 we will meet with Rep. Jill Billlings, Rep. Steve Doyle, and Senator Jennifer Shilling. '

Those who sign up will get a list of pertinent bills and talking points.

There will also be opportunities to network with others from around the state and learn about other water quality initiatives. If you need ideas for what to talk about, check out this series of articles by Ron Seely of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.

You can also sign the petition!