Lax enforcement of water quality regulations, poor oversight of CAFOs, an “open for business” atmosphere, and reduced funding and staffing at the DNR have added to the problem.
We are very grateful to forum panelists for volunteering their time: State Rep. Steve Doyle, La Crosse County Board member Mike Giese, and La Crosse County Health Department director Jen Rombalski. Each addressed a different aspect of the problem and then took questions from the audience. The DNR could not spare a representative for the event.
Watch for more details in our December newsletter. In the meantime, if you have a private well, get it tested! And view handouts, maps, and other forum materials at
cr-sierra.blogspot.com/p/groundwater-pollution-forum-october-24.html
INDUSTRIAL HOG SLAUGHTER FACILITY FORUM: As Holmen-Onalaska residents gathered to learn about water pollution from an industrial hog farm, concerned citizens
from the Westby-Viroqua area met to discuss a proposed industrial hog slaughter facility in their region. The meeting was hosted by the new group Concerned Citizens for Smart Growth with presenters from the Cornucopia Institute (cornucopia.org), and the Crawford Stewardship Project.
Gayle Nielsen (CCSG) gave a presentation on the potential impact of Premium Iowa Pork locating in the Town of Viroqua, in Vernon County. This included the impact on jobs, businesses, community, and tourism, with the focus on the proliferation of industrial, factory farms (CAFOs) that will be required to locate to the region and the ensuing contamination of groundwater, air quality and general health of the population. Forest Jahnke (CSP) spoke about the susceptibiity of water contamination in a sensitive karst area. Members also heard about some of the health impacts of industrial farming.
A video of the meeting is available on youtube. And a copy of the petition is available at www.citizensforsmartgrowth.com/petition/
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS: Again this year, the Coulee Region Sierra Club is offering grants of up to $200 for environmental education projects involving young people at the elementary and middle school level.
The application and more detalis are available online OR email crsierraclub at gmail and we can mail you an application. The application deadline is JANUARY 5, 2018. Please spread the word about this opportunity available to those in Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau and Vernon counties.
In September, we highlighted two of three 2017 grant recipients. Look for a report from the third recipient in our December newsletter.
SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS: Again this year, your purchase of Sierra Club calendars will benefit our club and environmental programs and protection activities. The calendars cost
$14.95 for the wall calendar and $15.95 for the engagement book.
Get your calendar at our December gathering or order from Maureen Kinney: 608 784-9324 or 608 784-5678 or email maureen at johnsflaherty -dot-com. SIERRA CLUB NOTE AND HOLIDAY CARDS are available at the online store.
PLEASE HELP! There are major environmental issues happening in the Coulee Region that require our attention and action, from air and water quality to protection of sensitive wetlands and recreation areas. We really need YOUR HELP to work on the water team or the Ready for 100 team or a team near to your heart. These issues need our attention now.
Please consider what is most important to you - why you are a member of the Sierra Club - and volunteer to help by emailing us at crsierraclub at gmail. Please indicate which issue you want to work on.
READY FOR 100: As we reported in August, La Crosse mayor Tim Kabat signed the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 pledge to transition the city to 100% renewable energy.
The Coulee Region Sierra Club is seeking members for a Ready for 100 team to help prepare suggested steps the city of La Crosse, and possibly others in the Coulee Region, can take to move quickly from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Recent developments in Minneapolis and Madison, where agreements with utilities target renewable transitions, and Winona, where an ambitious citywide solar garden plan has been finalized, have provided real life area examples of what La Crosse could do. Please email by November 20 if you can help! crsierraclub at gmail
COULEE REGION SIERRA CLUB WINTER GATHERING: Club members Don & Barb Frank will host our winter gathering/potluck at their home, N1965 Valley Road, La Crosse at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19. Bring some food to share if you wish. The Franks will provide beverages. Their home is in Wedgewood Valley, just off Highway 33 (a little east of Schmidty's). From La Crosse, just past Hagen Road (on the right) turn LEFT into Wedgewood Valley onto Wedgewood Drive West and stay on Wedgewood Drive West to Valley Drive. Phone 608 788-3914 with questions. You DO NOT NEED TO BE A SIERRA CLUB MEMBER TO ATTEND.
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