Wisconsin Aquaculture Industry Could Get A Boost Under GOP Plan

Advocates for wetlands are seeking changes in a Wisconsin bill that would help fish farmers.

The Republican-backed measure would make several changes for the aquaculture industry. One of the most controversial would be to exempt fish farmers from having to consider alternatives that minimize harm to wetlands, when potential new operators seek a permit to dump soil.

Erin O’Brien, with the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, said there’s no need to involve fish farmers in wetlands preservation.

“We think in those cases there’s good examples in the state of where aquaculture has been sited outside of wetlands, and if that’s possible, we shouldn’t be creating provisions in law that encourage construction in wetlands,” O’Brien said.

The Wetlands Association has sent a three-page list of requests to the main author of the bill, state Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst. Tiffany said last month that his measure is good, common-sense reform.

The measure is slated for a legislative hearing in Madison on Tuesday.