MADISON-Gov. Tony Evers’ newly appointed secretary of the Division of Pure Assets delivered a message Wednesday that the Legislature must “step up” to assist shield the state’s waters and to catch as much as progress being made in different states.
Adam Payne made his first public look Wednesday earlier than the Pure Assets Board, which units coverage for the company.
In a prolonged speech, he highlighted his priorities for conservation and clear water throughout the state and inspired the board to work with out political affect to make choices concerning the state’s pure assets.
Payne stated Wisconsin ought to be main on clear water points, not lagging behind different close by states like it’s with PFAS administration and mitigation.
“We will want the Legislature to step up and work with us to verify we’re outfitted to assist native governments, people and households,” he stated. “And if they do not, how will we do the testing, how will we do the monitoring?”
He highlighted the significance of protected consuming water and highlighted the governor’s State of the State deal with Tuesday night time by which he set PFAS as one of many high priorities to deal with and pledged greater than $100 million in funding.
“I don’t see water high quality for pure assets safety as a partisan situation. I do not assume it ought to be a partisan. I feel each single particular person on this state ought to anticipate to have the ability to activate the tap and have clear protected water. It is a public well being matter,” he stated.
“We would like individuals to maneuver to Wisconsin and lift their households right here, begin their companies right here, develop their enterprise right here, develop their farm operations right here, no matter it might be. Now we have to have clear water, that shouldn’t be partisan.”
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He additionally appeared to deal with the strain between the board and workers members over the previous a number of years, which in the end resulted within the cancellation of a gathering in September 2021, an motion that hadn’t occurred for the board in 21 years. The board additionally handled controversy over member Frederick Prehn’s refusal to step down for almost two years following the expiration of his time period.
“Now we have totally different roles. Now we have comparable objectives,” he stated. “It is essential work, speaking successfully and collaborating, ensuring you get the data you could make well-informed choices. It does not imply you’ll be able to’t problem the workers or ask for extra info. However we have got to be working collectively.”
Former board chair: ‘We’re accountable to the general public, not the setting’
The board elected a brand new slate of officers. Member Invoice Smith was elected chair, Marcy West was elected vice-chair and Sharon Adams was elected secretary. The elections have been held on the finish of the assembly with out fanfare or rigidity as there was in earlier years.
Greg Kazmierski, the outgoing chair whose phrases ends later this 12 months, had recommendation for the newly elected leaders and newly seated members. He stated that members should not be influenced by lobbyists or depending on the outcomes of elections.
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He stated that though everybody desires clear water, the board has to seek out the stability in its choices concerning water and ensure that options are reasonably priced.
“I feel it is actually essential for this board to grasp that we’re accountable to the general public, to not the setting, to not pure assets, we’re accountable to the general public,” he stated. “So the general public must weigh in and resolve what path we’re speculated to go for this.”
New board members Sandra Dee Naas and Paul Buhr took their seats on the board, collaborating in voting and asking questions of workers on numerous points, together with deer searching and the Secure Water Ingesting Mortgage program.
Wednesday’s assembly was the primary for the board since Prehn stepped down on the finish of December. Prehn held over in his seat for almost two years, denying Naas an opportunity to take her seat as a voting member.
The 2 years Prehn retained his seat, a call that was upheld final 12 months by the state Supreme Court docket, the board was fraught with political divisions between appointees of Evers and people appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker together with Prehn.
Naas stated she gained helpful data over the previous a number of years, observing from the viewers, however is able to get to work on the board.
“I am trying ahead to seeing how I may also help transfer ahead Wisconsin pure assets for the individuals within the state,” she stated in an interview. “I admire the chance to have the ability to serve.”
Naas stated she has not but heard from members of the Senate a few affirmation listening to, which she has been ready on since Might 2021.
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Buhr, a dairy farmer from Viroqua, additionally took his seat for the primary time Wednesday, after being appointed to fill the seat previously held by William Bruins, who resigned from the board in December, earlier than his time period ended.
Bruins didn’t point out in his messages to the Division of Pure Assets why he stepped down earlier than his time period ended.
“Each farmer desires clear water and the flexibility to farm and I need to symbolize that,” he stated in an interview. “I am excited to do it.”
Buhr has labored with dairy cattle since he was a baby, graduated with an animal science diploma from UW – Platteville after which owned his personal farm for 45 years. The final of his herd of him was dispersed about two years in the past, and he now tends fields of corn, soy beans and hay.
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He stated he is hoping to translate his expertise as a farmer into knowledgeable choices on points like managing vitamins stemming from farms that may get into consuming water and trigger points for residents, resembling phosphorous and nitrates. He additionally helps to lift consciousness of the Driftless Space, and to champion preservation of the distinctive space.
“I will be very happy to encourage extra improvement of parks and recreation, of trails on this a part of the state,” he stated.
Buhr additionally hopes to see the board return its standing as a non-political entity, targeted on defending the state’s land, air and water.
“I hope to base all my choices on information and affordable deduction from these information and I hope that we will work with all of the teams that come earlier than us in a good method and win their respect,” he stated. “Politics is not going to enter into my choices. Everybody that lives within the state desires clear water and air.”
Laura Schulte could be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.