Not kidding; Wisconsin Republicans against Clean Drinking Water!!!

Here's the scoop, and another strike against Scott Walker's Legacy:

WPR: The overarching question is whether a state law passed in 2011, known as Act 21, which "states agencies like the DNR can't create regulations, rules or other requirements for permitees or those seeking permits unless they're specifically laid out in state statute," overrules a prior state Supreme Court action known as the Lake Beulah decision issued in 2011 … that says the DNR was able to consider cumulative impacts on groundwater when considering new high-capacity well applications.

Walker passed Act 21, so the Department of Natural Resources can't regulate...our natural resources?

This is what Republicans call balancing business interests against the cost of saving our drinking water. Here's the reality; you can't "balance" acceptable pollution levels, that's an insane concept.  

Oh, it gets worse. Walker's twisted version of the DNR can't prevent manure-contaminated water: 

1. Attorneys for the DNR have argued the law overrules the previous Supreme Court decision and therefore, the agency doesn't have authority to limit the number of cows on the Kinnard Farms properties or require groundwater monitoring wells to measure whether manure from the farm is leaching into groundwater.

2. Similarly, the DNR has argued Act 21 bars them from considering cumulative impacts for the high-capacity wells sought by farmers in the Central Sands region.

We're in real trouble if our activist conservative State Supreme court decides against any and all oversight of our drinking water. Interestingly, they're in no hurry:

Justices from the state's high court haven’t said whether they'll take up the cases.

Walker declares war on Drinking Water Supply, Lakes to Swim in, and DNR Scientists.

I think it’s time to write following story the way the news media should have from the beginning, so here goes (quote is my emphasis)…

“Schimel ignored past court cases, other state laws and the Public Trust Doctrine of the Wisconsin Constitution, which all give the DNR authority to protect water resources...”

After being ordered to by…

“...Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), chairman of the Assembly Committee on Organization, to ‘clarify’ the authority of the DNR over high-capacity wells.”

Clarity was a wink and nudge to pass and completely destroy the DNR, defying common sense and public responsibility. Leaving no one in charge...

"...Schimel concluded the DNR lacked explicit authority to place conditions on farms and or other entities that wanted to construct large wells — even if the wells harmed state waters."

Odd that after all this time, the state never found a way to protect the state drinking water supply.

Now there’s a 2016 lawsuit against that decision that hopes to reverse Rep. Vos' politically driven AG's right to plunder:

Employees of the DNR expressed concerns in emails in 2015 and 2016 about potential harm to lakes and streams from the construction of new wells in areas where irrigation was already widespread, court records filed on Friday show. The emails were included in the latest documents of a 2016 lawsuit by an environmental group and lake association that challenged a major shift in state policy that weakened the regulation of high-capacity wells. The October 2016 suit contends the DNR violated the Wisconsin Constitution and ignored other state laws and court cases after the agency announced it would no longer examine applications of large-scale wells by taking into account the impact of other nearby wells.

Destroying the Watchdogs; Scientists: Republican disdain for science is at a whole new level in Wisconsin, making it an environmental hell hole: 

Two years ago, Walker and lawmakers enacted a budget that cut 18 DNR science service bureau researchers amid complaints that their research related to climate change, pollution and wildlife habitat were controversial and unneeded.

Now the science services bureau is being dissolved and its remaining scientists moved to program offices that use their research.

A frequent critic of the DNR said the move will give more control to DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. Sen. Tom Tiffany, a Republican and part of the GOP majority on the Legislature’s budget committee, said Stepp should be able to ensure that research benefits sportsmen and the DNR should be better able to prevent further research that takes climate change into account.

Walker Bags Smokey the Bear: Walker put the Kibosh on the State Fair's DNR exhibit. Seriously, who needs big government preaching to kids about taking care of the environment anyway: 

Effective this year, the DNR will no longer offer fisheries, wildlife or environmental management booths, casting clinics, archery, a children's nature play area, Smokey's Schoolhouse and a number of other attractions.

What Me Worry...about Blue-Green Algae? On the subject of water, Scott Walker is making Wisconsin "green" by designating it the official color of our lakes...with blue-green algae. Walker and his band of plundering legislative Republican pirates, don't seem alarmed that we can no longer go swimming in our lakes...even in June. WISC:

Our Little Friend, Cyanobacteria? Good for you Heart: Science might be coming to Walker's rescue though, even if he doesn't believe in that either. I don't know if we're talking about the same species of blue-green algae, but you never know....The Smithsonian:

In a study published this week in Science Advances, Dr. Woo and his team show how they successfully replaced blood with microscopic cyanobacteria, plant-like organisms that also use photosynthesis. By co-opting the process to help heal damaged heart tissue, the team was able to protect rats from deadly heart failure. Fixing an ailing heart, it seems, may be as simple as shining a light on the situation.

For cardiologists, the challenge for preventing subsequent heart failure is to rapidly supply damaged heart tissues with oxygen and nutrients. But “if you look at nature, photosynthesis answers that question,” 

Dr. Woo and his team grew a strain of Synechococcus in their lab and injected to the impaired heart tissue of a living rat. Then, they turned up the lights. After 20 minutes, they saw increased metabolism in damaged areas. Overall cardiac performance improved after about 45 minutes. The evidence suggested that the oxygen and sugar Synechococcus created through photosynthesis was enhancing tissue repair.

After injecting living bacteria into a body organ, you might expect an infection. But interestingly, the researchers didn’t find any immune response after TK HOURS “The bugs are just not there anymore, it disappears,” says Dr. Woo. “And maybe that’s the best kind of bacteria”—a friendly helper that sticks around to do damage control, then disappears without a trace. The recent study is merely proof-of-concept, but scientists are now on the path to trying the technique in human subjects. Next they’ll try it in larger animal models that are closer to humans, and they’re working on ways to deliver and shine light on cyanobacteria without an open heart surgery. They’re even considering genetically editing Synechococcus to make the critters release more sugar.

Biodigesting Walker's Plan for more Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO's)!!!

Under the guise of "protecting" drinking water in rural Kewaunee County, or just about anywhere in the state for that matter, Scott Walker handed corporate farming special interests a Christmas gift that will keep on giving for decades.

Walker is proposing a biodigester, not to clean up the Kewaunee Counties ground water, but to build more concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Looks like rural voters can keep on hating government, while voting in their "small" government Republican abusers.

The state will take proposals to build a centralized plant that would convert manure into energy. Locals in Kewaunee County, such as Lynn Utesch, a small farmer and activist with the group Kewaunee Cares said, "This is not a 'win-win' for Kewaunee County. This is a win for the industry that wants to make it look like this is a solution when in reality all it is a way to consolidate and expand the industry."

With the possible dismantling of the EPA under Trumpian Republicans, governors like Walker can freely experiment on a statewide level, "balancing" business interests against clean drinking water...which is an absurd idea.

DNR Sec. Stepp says, "Hey, Wisconsin knows how to do it right," as she backs off protecting our drinking water.

Republican governors should be scary the daylights out of Americans everywhere. They don't care at all about our drinking water, rivers and lakes.

Gov. Rick Snyder didn't care about lead in an entire cities drinking water. Yesterday I reported how Gov. Rick Scott allowed his environmental board to approve dumping more toxic chemicals into Florida's waterways, doing nothing about the huge growing algae bloom problem statewide.

Florida made national news for being coated in thick, green, toxic algae. It looked like a river of snot. It smelled worse. And it mangled the economy along the St. Lucie River and Treasure Coast. Florida officials responded ... by voting to allow more cancer-causing agents into the Sunshine State's drinking water supplies and recreational waters. No, I'm not kidding.

They allow companies, developers and homeowners to pave and foul the land — and then charge taxpayers billions to clean it up. Fiscal conservatism, my asphalt. People worried about clean air or water were labeled as "job killers." Now we're spending $8 billion repairing the Everglades. we keep electing politicians who foul the land and then stick us with the bill.

Scott Walker Attacks Clean Water: Not to be outdone, Gov. Scott Walker's DNR has decided the state can't legally regulate high capacity wells, cut to the bone DNR staffing, and incredibly...has now backed off protecting drinking water so businesses like concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) can flourish in Wisconsin. WSJ:

Just a sample of media coverage!

1. After Walker’s office notified farm industry lobbyists, the state Dairy Business Association met with DNR officials and complained about the potential cost of new rules, prompting the agency to narrow their scope.

2. Limited plans for reducing manure contamination of public waters despite complaints about excessive dairy industry influence.

3. Instead of stronger regulation of manure at CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) statewide, any new rules will apply only in yet-to-be-defined sensitive areas where groundwater is especially vulnerable.

4. The plans were changed without notification of people affected by polluted lakes, streams and wells.

5. Kewaunee County has been hard hit for many years, and residents expressed impatience, but Stepp said the DNR couldn’t begin to act until scientific evidence was in place.

 6. Natural Resource Board members said the plan they approved balanced everyone’s interests. “It’s almost like they are almost anti-business and anti-growth,” Member Gregory Kazmierski said.

Really, balancing “everyone’s” interests, even Wisconsinites who have had their drinking water contaminated or will have it contaminated when even more CAFO’s are approved?

Thankfully one "adult" was in the room to reassure everyone, with this amazingly juvenile statement:

“I know we are going to stand up at the end of the process and say, ‘Hey, Wisconsin knows how to do it right’,” DNR secretary Cathy Stepp said.

That's right up there with Tony the Tigers "They're great."

As Charlie Pierce put it:

This week's special: water quality!

WSJ: "But conservationists said the narrowed rule-making plan delayed indefinitely the consideration of public health and water resources protections that were identified through lengthy scientific study and extensive public discussion." 

But, seriously. "Lengthy scientific study"? "Extensive public discussion"? We'll have none of that, people. Not here in Wisconsin, where neither the government nor the rivers and streams are transparent any more.

Walker's DNR not enforcing Water Pollution Laws. Republican Constituents wonder, "What the heck is going on?" Doh!

Here we go again? As if we didn't already have a long list of state problems to solve, leave it to the Walker administration to create new and more serious emergencies, like the DNR's complete breakdown protecting our drinking water.

Members of the Wisconsin DNR's’ policy-making board were surprised and disappointed by an audit that cited serious shortcomings in state enforcement of water pollution laws.

Thanks to Gov. Scott Walker's mind numbing refusal to fix Wisconsin's roads, voters are waking up to the hard reality that many other things are getting a lot worse. You might recall this recent blog post:

Walker's AG Brad Schimel removed DNR oversight, giving away Wisconsin's Drinking Water to Big Business.

"Following guidance provided by state Attorney General Brad Schimel in an opinion issued May 10, the agency will no longer consider the cumulative impact of nearby wells on the aquifer or surface water when deciding whether to permit a well, and it will no longer impose monitoring requirements on well operators."

Republican State Sen. Rob "Part-of-the-Problem" Cowles from Green Bay doesn't like it when he actually has to listen to constituent concerns about something as basic as drinking water:

Sen. Cowles, co-chairman of the Legislature’s audit committee, said that the Legislature should act as soon as possible to allow the DNR to ... hire enough employees to enforce the law.

“I can tell you the DNR board is steaming mad. This was a surprise to them. Three of them called me, and a lot of my constituents did, too. My constituents who saw the story wondered ‘What the heck is going on?’ The people of this state believe in water quality. We brag about our lakes and rivers and having great places to fish in and swim in.”

Welcome to the Republican run government. The key here is "enough employees:"

Leaders of the Legislature, which cut more than 90 positions from the DNR’s budget last year, haven’t publicly commented on the audit.

Gee, GOP "leaders" who made things worse, didn't have a well rehearsed prepared answer?

Incidental Gov. Scott Walker hasn't had much time for things like drinking water and transportation, which still isn't that urgent:

A spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker said any changes in DNR funding will wait until a new budget is enacted next summer.

Government hating Republicans mismanaging government, who could have seen all this coming? 

And really, why would the DNR keep their own board members up to date on how bad they were doing their job?

Board Chairman Terry Hilgenberg said members were told several months ago that the audit was being performed, but Stepp and her staff didn’t update them about the seriousness of the findings before the report was released to the public June 3.

“Board members were being contacted by the media and by other individuals. They’re at Rotary and they’re getting asked ‘What the hell is all that about with that audit?’ and they hadn’t been apprised about all of it. That could create a little angst,” Hilgenberg said.

Welcome to Republican rule. Any surprise they hate government? Oh, and guess when the wheels started coming off?

The DNR has been under fire for the way it protects the state’s waters at least since 2011 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listed 75 deficiencies in laws, rules and policies. Four of the problems have been cleared up. The state audit provided new details about the shortcomings.

Boy, it would so much easier if Republicans could just get rid of the EPA.

Balance between Environment and Business interests? This is Walker's idea of balance: 
WSJ:

1. Over the last 10 years the DNR failed 94 percent of the time to take enforcement action against sewage plants and industries that exceeded water pollution limits, 

2. Violating its own internal policies, the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau said in its report.

3. DNR employees didn’t have time to adequately review annual reports submitted by concentrated animal feeding operations

4. Didn't review plans describing how millions of gallons of manure they generate annually would be kept out of lakes, streams and groundwater.

5. The DNR didn’t meet its goals for inspections and failed to document that it took any action for months or even years in five incidents where monitoring wells showed feedlots were contaminating groundwater with substances harmful to human health, auditors said.

 As serious as these violations were, along with the loss of 90 employees and funding cuts...

It’s wasn’t clear Tuesday if Stepp would appear at the meeting. The agency is still trying to hire and train new employees after losing large numbers of experienced people to retirement, he said.

I  thought this was also interesting to note. Walker will probably blame Gov. Doyle for the cuts he had to make because of the collapse of the world economy during the Great Recession. A bit unfair I would say, and nothing like the ax Walker voluntarily used to cut spending on the DNR and state parks:

Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle oversaw reductions in full-time staff in water pollution regulation programs after the 2008 recession hit.Staffing levels increased in 2011 when Walker and his fellow Republicans took control of state government, but two years later cuts resumed.

And unlike the protected transportation fund, stealing from the DNR's revenue stream might have to stop as well:

The DNR collects $5 million to $7 million annually in fees from concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs, municipal sewer plants and private industry, but it typically keeps less than $90,000, with the rest going to the state’s general fund.

Walker's AG Brad Schimel removed DNR oversight, giving away Wisconsin's Drinking Water to Big Business.

It looks like Scott Walker and AG tool Brad Schimel have pulled off the perfect heist; our water.

It would be hard to imagine even one “stand with Walker” drone thinking this is a good idea: 

Wisconsin Republicans won an elusive victory Friday as the DNR quietly agreed to narrow its oversight of high-capacity wells that have been blamed for drying up rivers and shrinking lakes.

Following guidance provided by state Attorney General Brad Schimel in an opinion issued May 10, the agency will no longer consider the cumulative impact of nearby wells on the aquifer or surface water when deciding whether to permit a well, and it will no longer impose monitoring requirements on well operators.

I know, it’s all pretty breathtaking. Easing regulation is one thing, but eliminating almost all regulation…scary but standard Walker policy now:

And the department said well operators could seek reconsideration of conditions placed on permits issued since June 8, 2011, the date a state statute was enacted sharply reducing the power of state agencies to decide how to implement laws.

High-capacity wells … (have the) ability to dry up public waters and (encourage) the desire of farmers, food processors and others to drill more of them.

Usurping decades of court decisions, Schimel took one case and wiped out the DNR’s responsibility:

Several court decisions in lawsuits over DNR actions had indicated that the department could and should consider cumulative impact … the state Supreme Court in a 2011 ruling told the DNR it had a responsibility to consider cumulative impact of high-capacity, the agency began including that consideration in its review of well permit applications.

But because of Schimel’s decision, DNR oversight disappeared, and was quietly changed with no public notice:

The change in DNR policy could be seen on an agency web page for business operators seeking to drill the wells. The page included a notation that it was updated on Thursday, but a DNR spokesman said the change was made Friday.

DNR spokesman Jim Dick said in the statement, “Historically, the DNR has followed all formal legal opinions issued by an Attorney General, as we are doing in this case.”

The DNR’s move means an estimated 161 high-capacity well applications that have been awaiting agency review will not receive the scrutiny called for by several court decisions and precautions included in permits issued since 2011 could be thrown out.

Schimel issued a formal opinion on high-capacity wells on May 10 at the request of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester … complained about delays in state permits for the wells.

Conflict of interest no longer Looks Bad: 

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp asked then-Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen for an opinion clarifying the DNR’s authority … Van Hollen said his office couldn’t because it was representing the DNR in cases involving questions about its authority to regulate high-capacity wells.

In February, Schimel’s office conceded that his attorneys were also involved in such cases, but his spokeswoman said the office’s conflict-of-interest guidelines are not binding.

It’s that easy. 

All of this happened on Friday, a few days after Rep. Cory Mason asked Great Lakes governors to block any deal that would send water to Waukesha. As it turns out, Mason's opposition was prophetic. 

AP: Rep. Cory Mason is urging Great Lakes governors to reject a Milwaukee suburb's request to draw water from Lake Michigan, pointing to shortcomings in state enforcement. A letter he sent Wednesday highlights a legislative audit released last week that found the Department of Natural Resources wasn't following its own policies for enforcement of water and pollution regulations … the DNR is "unwilling or unable to enforce many of Wisconsin's water laws" and Great Lakes representatives should therefore reject a proposal from Waukesha to tap Lake Michigan for drinking water.

With the draw down of our states aquifers, thanks to Schimel's decision to remove enforcement of high capacity wells, we'll see more water shortages and contamination, like Waukesha:

Peter Annin, author of “The Great Lakes Water Wars,” says the city’s policies actually encouraged lawn watering. “Because you got a credit on your water bill if you had water that was used but didn’t end up back in the sewer system,” Annin says. 

The aquifer beneath the city recharges slowly, and years of over pumping had lowered the water table hundreds of feet … “we’ve drawn down the aquifer to the point where we’re pulling up the water that’s contaminated," says Dan Duchniak, general manager of the Waukesha Water Utility.

Getting regulation government overreach out of the way: I feel no sympathy for Waukesha…none, because what they did 20 years ago in now Scott Walker’s DNR policy:

The state ordered Waukesha to fix its radium problem. But the city resisted. It fought regulators and ultimately sued the Environmental Protection Agency. Fixing the problem was going to be expensive, and city leaders believed the government was overreaching. Nearly two decades later, after a federal appeals court ruled against the city, Waukesha finally decided to stand down. “Waukesha is this poster child of what can happen when you assume that water will just always be there,” Peter Annin says.

How can I say Schimel is Walker's legal lapdog? Can I prove it? Watch Schimel's mind blowing admissions when he ran for AG against the more qualified DA Susan Happ:

Gov. Christie puts N.J. Drinking Water up for Profit, ignoring public opposition...Wisconsin Next?

Here it comes, more Republican bill writing plagiarism targeting our precious drinking water! Yes, unoriginal ALEC-like corporate bills plundering our supply of life sustaining water, are now rippling across nation. Seriously, there's money to be made.  

Republican Rep. Tyler August and Aqua America Inc. are spearheading the fast track takeover bill of our drinking water in Wisconsin. But in New Jersey, Gov. Christie just sign similar legislation,  giving us a preview of how this is going to go down. NJ:

Gov. Chris Christie would allow for fast-tracking the privatization of many public water systems in New Jersey.

When a bill has a goofy name like the "Water Infrastructure Protection Act," you know it's deceptively trying to cover up what it really does.

Big Government Republicans Kill Off Local Control Again: The most outrageous part of the Wisconsin bill eliminates the requirement for local referendums, giving the public a say. Christie liked that idea: 

(It) removes the public vote requirement to sell water systems throughout the state under emergency conditions that many systems currently meet.

After making government dysfunctional with mismanagement and spending cuts,  Republicans now want to sell it off:  

The sponsors of the bill tout it as a way to get desperately-needed investment into water systems that have been neglected to the breaking point by government owners. 

Highest Bidder gets our Drinking Water, but that means we have to pay higher rates! 

Opponents warn that it is an attempt to turn private profits off public infrastructure at the expense of taxpayers.The state's Division of Rate Counsel blasted the bill publicly, saying ratepayers would end up paying for the sale of their own water systems, with the way infrastructure sales are legally regulated.

"This bill ... has the potential to allow investor-owned utilities to run wild with bid prices in an effort to submit the highest bid," said Stefanie Brand, director of the Division. "Meanwhile, ratepayers will be required to pay for the full purchase price in rate, and will pay for these higher bids.

"Telling us What to Think...the GOP Mind Trick Revisited: Oh sure, everybody knows private companies can do things better, right? It's just common knowledge...goes without saying:

"We recognize that there are times when private entities might be most capable..." said state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth). 

Who Are Republicans Listening too? Lobbyist, not the public: 

Originally introduced in September, the bill drew opposition from a wide variety of industry and environmental groups, including the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Food and Water Watch, and the Communications Workers of America union. "This is such a bad deal for the citizens of New Jersey," said state Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex). "This is crazy. ... Just giving away our water supply."

That old "opponents are just spouting political rhetoric" excuse so they won't have to listen:

"Put the rhetoric to one side," Kyrillos said. "This does not force anyone to sell water utilities.

No, but it lets it happen.

MONEY DOES NOT APPEAR TO INFLUENCE OR CORRUPT GOVERNMENT...AGAIN:

A notable political contribution was made in between the vote's passage and Christie's signing of the measure. American Water of Voorhees, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and sewer company, contributed $50,000 to the Republican Governors Association in the final days of the New Jersey governor's chairmanship of the organization.

This is just a preview of what will go down here in Wisconsin, it's irreversible, no matter what party is in charge.  

Republican bill helps towns secede from Dane County's zoning control.

While Republicans double down on their efforts to remove local control from what they call a hodgepodge of confusing regulations, they’re making one noticeable exception. Taking aim at liberal Dane County, legislation would add an element of chaos and local infighting, and give conservative areas the ability to secede.

   

The consequences are huge, but then, that’s the point. WSJ:

After a measure that would allow towns to opt out of Dane County’s zoning control was excluded from the state budget, 13 legislative Republicans have revived the effort as a standalone bill. Under current Wisconsin law, cities and villages control decisions on rezoning farmland for residential or commercial construction, but most towns share the authority. Both the town and the county hold veto power over proposals.

The legislation that would allow towns to opt out of that system would apply only to counties with populations over 485,000. Dane County’s official population in the 2010 Census was 488,075, and the only other county above that threshold, Milwaukee County, does not have any towns.

Coincidence? The potential negative impact to the environment is probably what made Republicans bring this back, since it’s already a goal built in to the stripped down DNR.

Tim Roehl, Dane County Towns Association vice president and a town of Middleton supervisor, has spearheaded past lobbying efforts … Roehl proposed a development in 2010 with 89 residential lots in the former town of Windsor.

After a lengthy review process, the county’s Zoning and Land Regulation Committee approved only 52 residential lots, citing poorly drained soils and a high water table that could cause “water problems” if single-family homes were built in the areas originally proposed.

But Josh Wescott, chief of staff for Parisi, said considerations like that are a reason the county’s zoning staff should be involved in review processes.

And it’s reasons like that excite Republicans! Is it really a danger to water? Silly liberals, they just hate business. For the best look at how Scott Walker and the Republican majority are doing little to nothing safe guarding our water supply, go to this report at Wisconsin Watch. I guarantee, you will be outraged.

Walker balances clean water with impact on business, where business always wins.

Like everything else Wisconsin had going for it, the great outdoors is getting the Scott Walker once over. Tourism, hunting and fishing seem like a second thoughts to Scott Walker and Republican legislators seeking to slash government deregulation.  

It's gotten so bad that opponents had no choice but go to the EPA for help, sounding the alarm:

WPR: A group of former and retired DNR employees are urging the EPA to make the state step up its regulation of water pollution … requested that federal regulators force the DNR to improve its enforcement of the Clean Water Act. Retired DNR employee Ron Grasshoff: "I just saw an erosion and a trend of the DNR straying away from its original mission, which is to protect the air, water and soils of the state.”

We have to force the DNR to do their job? Only in Walker's Wisconsin have we seen this kind of destruction...: 

The letter cites cuts in science budgets, orders to cease discussion of climate change, and gag orders on employees as some of the most serious problems with the DNR … cut upwards of 600 positions … Enforcement by the DNR has also declined, and in some cases, the agency has said it lacks legal authority to carry out that responsibility.

But Walker responded with perhaps one of the most ridiculous and convoluted reasons ever uttered by a state governor. Again, there's never a good outcome when Republicans try to "balance" the environment with making money. WPR

Gov. Scott Walker is rebuking a claim by former state DNR officials ... saying the state is balancing environmental and economic concerns.

"The fact that citations have gone down is a good thing because in this state, we believe that if a citation is issued, that's a sign that something went wrong. So, just because the number of citations have gone down isn't a reflection of the quality in terms of water, air and land," he said ... be more proactive in working with would-be violators ... (saying) his ultimate goal is to have no citations issued at all.

No citations at all because...we have reached environmental perfection, or just given up? Walker is now about to give polluters more time to clean things up:

A hearing will look at a proposal to give industries and municipalities more time to reduce phosphorus discharges into Wisconsin waterways ... the Multi-discharger Phosphorus Variance!

However, attorney Elizabeth Wheeler, of Clean Wisconsin, contends a state review of the plan inflates the cost of upgrading treatment plants and leaves out the potential financial benefits to shoreline property owners. "You don't want that waterbody to be polluted with toxic algae, you want to be able to enjoy it, and swim in it and fish in it, and so there is that direct economic value," she said. Wheeler also said local tourism-related businesses gain when companies and cities reduce phosphorus pollution.

Republicans hope voluntary compliance will solve watery Dead Zones and Nitrate Laced Drinking Water.

Wisconsin Republicans don't seem to think we've got a water quality problem in the state.

Instead, they're always talking about "balancing" the cost of doing businesses against the cost of keeping Wisconsinites and the environment healthy. That's a false narrative and not really an open question.

The problems keep mounting up too. From the harmful effects on children exposed to blowing Koch Industry coal dust off freight cars in Green Bay, to watery dead zones in the bay itself, Republicans are just now starting to talk about. Perhaps they're waiting for things to get worse. How about preventing the problem? Nope, that would be a big government solution.

For example, here are a few lowlights of Republican Rep. Reid Ribble's do nothing word salad, for a problems that's completely out of control already. From Upfront with Mike Gousha:

"...now that it's lasted so long and is so large...we're starting to have some of our larger dairy farms talking in those same terms...we're getting to a place now where people are really beginning to take this seriously...first you start with awareness, you recognize you have a problem...create the awareness of it, which is what we're doing now...you begin to share best practices...where the agriculture community pulls themselves into compliance...it's all of us working together."

Yea, we've got all the time in the world. Ribble knows his voters don't want a government solution, so what the heck, talk is cheaper.

Here's coverage from WBAY about the growing nitrate problem in our drinking water, a problem many Wisconsinites may not even be unaware of:

An agricultural group is calling out the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, accusing the agency of not protecting the health of people in Kewaunee County. Socially Responsible Agricultural Project (SRAP) issued the 137-page report, saying in it there’s proof the DNR isn’t doing its job protecting Kewaunee County residents.

SRAP’s Scott Dye said, this report shows the DNR is letting industrial dairy farms pollute Kewaunee County by not checking to see if farms are following the rules for handling waste, not enforcing rules that already exist, and not taking community complaints seriously.

“We should not mince words about this. This is nothing short of a public health emergency. What we’re talking about are Third World conditions in America’s heartland. We have people in our community who cannot drink their water, brush their teeth, wash dishes, and are fearful of bathing in their water if they have an open cut. The Wisconsin DNR that has utterly failed its duty to properly regulate the 16 largest industrial-size farms and failed in its duty to protect the health and safety of the county’s residents and environment.” 

Walker's hollowed out version of the DNR continues to blow smoke (a media pollutant) about a problem they're not trying to solve. They might be waiting for a major environmental disaster to occur.

Dept. of Natural Resources spokesman Bill Cosh sent this statement to Action 2 News: Protection of groundwater and our drinking water in Kewaunee County and the entire state remains a priority for this agency.  To that end, we are working with citizens and other stakeholders of Kewaunee County to develop proposed actions and potential solutions to reduce risk to public health and groundwater quality that could not only be applied in northeast Wisconsin, but also be potentially applicable to other areas of the state. We are regulating within the full authority we have within the current laws and rules. However, we are continuing to work to come to potential suggestions for the legislature.

Voluntary compliance, a non-regulatory approach, is all the rage in Republican states. From PBS's Market to Market, Iowa is a little more proactive, but still, polluters are just shifting the cost of the problem onto taxpayers:

Get more on the DNR disaster playing out in Wisconsin at the Political Environment.

Big Government Republicans turning Dane County Red, by first taking control of their water quality.

Scott Walker Republicans aren't just calling all the shots statewide from Madison's Capitol, like they once whined Democrats did, they're now quickly taking control of liberal Dane County, possibly turning it to a deep red.

In another big government republican power grab, the DNR will now over-develop Dane County at the expense of their water quality standards.

Republicans approved a newly introduced proposal to prevent Dane County from making decisions about its own water quality standards … require(ing) the Department of Natural Resources to handle water quality management decisions that cover issues like wastewater and sewage treatment, while banning the department from working with Dane County.

Just to be clear, according to republican Sen. Marklein, businesses have been suffering costly delays just to protect clean drinking water and the pristine lakes that make this a destination city:

Sen. Howard Marklein, whose district does not include Dane County, said the move was about speeding up decisions that affect economic development. "In the economic development business, the unknown costs a lot of money. Waiting months and months and months for a decision is expensive," he said.

Business complaints from who? Well, fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants Marklein didn't know:

Marklein (R-Spring Green), said he put forward the measure at the behest of developers but claimed he couldn't recall their names. "I don't even remember who they were," he said. "We had a couple meetings with a couple people."

Now that's what I call good government. 

Yes, republicans are only doing this to Dane County because liberals are destroying the business climate here, unlike the rest of the state?

Fourth Economy, which refers to the newest phase of economic investment nationwide that combines agrarian, industrial and technology, announced it selected Dane County for its Economy Community Index for Mega-Sized Counties for 2015. The report highlights “communities ideally positioned to attract modern investment and managed economic growth.” Dane County was ranked #2 in the top ten.

Dane County is among the strongest counties in the U.S. in terms of increasing jobs in information technology and related sectors during the five years ending in 2012, according to a report published this month ... Identified as one of the ten best places to live in the United States for three consecutive years in a row by Money Magazine (2007-09). In addition, CNNMoney.com ranked us among the top 20 places to launch a business in the United States (2009). 

Home to the fastest growing population of any county in Wisconsin … consistently rank among the top communities for work and play.

If the Name Fits - Big Government Republicans - Wear it...: 

The move caught Dane County lawmakers like Middleton Sen. Jon Erpenbach by surprise. Democrats bristled at the idea of Republicans writing a separate set of rules that target the most liberal county in Wisconsin while leaving the rest of the state alone.

"I know you don't like Madison, but this is no way to show it," Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) told Republicans on the committee."For the big government legislators out there who say state government's too damn big, this is why."

Here's coverage from WKOW and WPR:

Walker's DNR muddies water on Judges Dirty Water Ruling: "Massive regulatory failure to protect groundwater."

Why should we worry? We have Scott Walker's DNR watch dogging our environment, right? 

jsonline: A state administrative law judge who put conditions on a closely watched expansion of a large dairy farm in Kewaunee County has found that numerous contaminated wells in the area "represented a massive regulatory failure to protect groundwater.

In one of the most ironic statements yet put out by this administrations DNR:

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp, however, was critical of the tone of the ruling and told a farm publication it may "present an opportunity for misinformation and confusion to take place."

 No shit, ya think. When opportunity knocks...

Stepp took a swipe at Judge Boldt at a forum in Marshfield for "editorializing" in his 18-page ruling on the agency's regulatory oversight.

"…his 'editorializing' of our department came as a surprise to me. We have worked with him on farm issues before and usually find him to be very fair. I did not expect his comments that question our authority when it comes regulating groundwater contamination."

“Question our authority?” Wow, love the outright and unmistakable rightwing authoritarian slip. And all this coming from a “usually very fair” judge. How could that be? 

Boldt's ruling: “…many members of the public were deeply upset about what could only be described as a crisis with respect to groundwater quality in the area. It is also striking that none of this important context" was noted by the DNR in its environmental review of the farm's expansion plans. It is not unreasonable for residents to see a link to large farming practices in the area.

Does Judge Boldt's "editorializing" sound unreasonable concerning the quality of groundwater in the area? And what about the jobs?

Another Big Strike against Bottled Water....

Check out this outrageously bizarre eye opening story in Mother Jones:

Good-bye Toledo, Ohio. The simple act of polluting just shut down their Water Supply.

Isn’t it time we get rid of the EPA? Get big government job killing regulations out of the way.

Even with regulations, we’re seeing the devastating effects of water pollution in Lake Erie. About 400,000 people in the Toledo Ohio area were told not drink or even use tap water for almost everything, including washing dishes and brushing their teeth. And boiling the water only makes the toxin worse.

Imagine getting rid of the EPA, leaving it up to some state’s to put in place ideologically relaxed environmental controls over the use of phosphorus in farm fertilizers and underfunded oversight of sewage treatment plant runoff.  Remember, we’re no longer talking about a moderate Republican Party anymore.

WFAA: Algae blooms during the summer have become more frequent and troublesome around the western end of Lake Erie, the shallowest of the five Great Lakes. The algae growth is fed by phosphorus mainly from farm fertilizer runoff and sewage treatment plants. Scientists had predicted a significant bloom of the blue-green algae this year, but they didn't expect it to peak until early September.

If regulation costs money, than how would you describe the following:

Toledo spent about $4 million last year on chemicals to treat its water and combat the toxins.

It’s what we’re doing to the Environment: Add to that job killing climate change and the onset of long lasting droughts that have killed off major parts of the U.S. cattle herd, raising market prices and closing processing plants, like the Cargill facility in Milwaukee that once employed 500 workers. How does that save money or promote freedom?

Daily Beast: Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak of wildfires in central and northern California. Thousands of acres have been burned, and some residents have been asked to evacuate their homes. The atypically high temperatures and dry weather in these regions of the state have exacerbated the wildfires.

Produce dependent farmers have seen their water supply shut off or greatly restricted, raising prices for consumers. 

And what about the air we breathe, a topic never brought up in these discussions? Tens of thousands of people die prematurely due to lung diseases caused by particulates they inhaled over decades.