October 3, 2017
October 24 forum to examine priorities & policies that allow pollution without accountability
La Crosse, Wisconsin - The Coulee Region Sierra Club is hosting a public forum on La Crosse County ground water pollution on Tuesday, October 24 from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. at the Holland Town Hall, W7937 County Road MH, Holmen. The forum is free and open to the public.
Panelists include Wisconsin State Representative Steve Doyle, La Crosse County Board member
Mike Giese, and La Crosse County Health Department Director Jen Rombalski. Those who attend
will be encouraged to ask questions, share their concerns, and find out how to join with others to
work on local and statewide water solutions that prioritize the health of Wisconsin’s people and
environment.
La Crosse County joins a growing list of counties around the state whose clean water supplies are
being threatened by unchecked contamination. A water quality health advisory issued by the County
Health Department in April 2017 warned some Holmen and Onalaska area residents that nitrate and
bacteria levels in their wells might exceed state health limits. Those whose wells test high for
nitrates are advised to use bottled water for drinking and cooking because of potential serious
health consequences including miscarriage, thyroid disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has faced criticism for failing to communicate with
the county or with residents living near a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) where test wells have shown excessive levels of contamination for several years, and for failing to properly
regulate that operation. A DNR spokesperson told the La Crosse Tribune in July of this year that, “The DNR doesn’t have a policy regarding notifying municipalities or private well owners in the vicinity when a CAFO violates a permit.”
“Somebody at the DNR needs to read their own mission statement,” said Pat Wilson, President of
the Coulee Region Sierra Club. “Their stated goals include protecting and enhancing our natural
resources, providing a healthy, sustainable environment, and ensuring the right of all people to use
and enjoy these resources. Letting polluters violate their permits without penalty does not protect
our natural resources nor provide a healthy environment.”
This year the John Muir (Wisconsin) Chapter of the Sierra Club released a series of white papers
about water quality and access in Wisconsin. The chapter’s state-wide water team is working to
empower citizens and municipalities through legislation and activism.
No comments:
Post a Comment