Ever since taking office five years ago, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has made it a priority to reform the state Department of Natural Resources. From his appointment of long-time DNR critic Cathy Stepp as department head, to steep budget cuts to science services staff, the Governor has sought to remake the nearly 100-year old agency […]
Wisconsin CAFOs and the demand for groundwater quality
Does the DNR have the authority to limit the number of CAFOs in the state? How do you evaluate how the water needs of a CAFO might impact the water supplies for the surrounding areas? Today Patty Peltekos talks with Tom Bauman, Water Supply Specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Bauman specializes in […]
DNR = Does Not Respond
Wisconsin DNR’s cooperation with “open record” information requests has been abysmal, according to Tressie Kamp and Kellan Mclemore, staff attorneys from the Midwest Environmental Advocates. Recent requests have taken longer than 5-7 months, and, as a result, the organization is taking the DNR, and the state attorney, to court.
A Challenge to the Kinnard Farms Cafo Permit
On Monday, five Kewaunee County petitioners filed an appeal of the DNR’s decision to permit Kinnard Farms to operate without a limit on the number of animals in the facility or a requirement to monitor the conditions of groundwater. Stacy Harbaugh, of Midwest Environmental Advocates, joins Jan Miyasaki to talk about the challenge to the […]
Recovering Jobs and Walleye in Northern Wisconsin
Each month the Monday Buzz hears the latest from muckrakers at the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Kate Golden and Madeleine Behr joined us on June 1st to share stories of the troubling decline of walleye in the region and the extent of the WEDC’s impact in the northern part of the state.
New Study: Wisconsin Bats Are In Danger
MADISON (WORT) — A new study by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources found that a deadly fungal disease has rapidly spread in bats across the state. And, while they can’t send up an actual bat signal to announce their distress, scientists are studying them in hopes of coming to the rescue. Molly Stentz has the story.
