Towns Association Opposes High-Capacity Well Budget Provision

The Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) has joined others in criticizing a state budget item that streamlines permit approval for high-capacity wells.

Republican lawmakers added the item, which limits the Department of Natural Resources’ consideration of cumulative impact on local water supplies when reviewing a permit request for high-capacity wells near other hi-cap wells.

The WTA has written a letter to members of the Senate and Assembly, asking them to remove the item from the budget. WTA executive director Rick Stadelman says local governments would feel the heat if the state steps aside.

“The local citizens will want more and more to try to stop large farm expansions that need high-capacity wells or frac sand mines. They’ll be putting pressures of local governments – towns and counties – to try to adopt other regulations, which might not be enforceable or reasonable, to try to protect their community interests.

Stadleman says he’s not against the sand mines or large farms. But he says those industries face a greater backlash if the DNR review is weakened.

The budget proposal may go to the full legislature next week.