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3-31-08
- Stewardship Access Rule
The
Stewardship
reauthorization
includes
a provision
requiring
that lands
purchased
with Stewardship
funds be
open to five
nature-based
outdoor activities:
hunting,
fishing,
trapping,
hiking, cross-country
skiing, and
any other
nature-based
outdoor activity
as designated
by rule by
the DNR.
The legislature
provided
for limited
exceptions
if the Natural
Resources
Board determines
it is necessary
to prohibit
one or more
of the activities
to protect
public safety,
to protect
a unique
animal or
plant community,
or to accommodate
other usership
patterns.
This requirement
does not
apply to
state park
properties.
The Department will work with the public and a citizen advisory group
to help identify criteria to determine under what circumstances these
five primary nature-based outdoor activities may be restricted or prohibited,
and to define "usership" patterns.
Since its inception in 1990, the Stewardship Fund has been used by
the Department to acquire 447,000 acres, and an additional 58,000 acres
was acquired using Stewardship Grants by local governments and conservation
organizations. More than 92 percent of this land is open to hunting
and more than 98 percent is open to fishing, ensuring that future generations
in Wisconsin will have a place to hunt and fish as well as hike, ski,
view nature and camp. The
Natural Resources Board Stewardship subcommittee is headed by John "Duke" Welter
from Eau Claire, with members Jane Wiley from Wausau, and Preston
Cole from Milwaukee.
The Natural Resources Board and the DNR
are assembling a citizens group to advise the Department on developing
the proposed rules. The advisory group will include representatives
of various recreational constituencies, local units of government and
land trusts. All public comments received will be presented to the
advisory council.
Information on the new stewardship access rule and related materials,
as well as an on-line public comment form, which began on
April 1 on the DNR web site at www.dnr.wi.gov.
In addition to input taken through the DNR's
web site, written comments can also be mailed to Laurie Ross, Natural
Resources Board Liaison, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921 telephone
(608) 267-7420, email: Laurie.Ross@Wisconsin.gov The
deadline for all written comments is Friday, April 18, 2008.
12-03-07
- Clean
Energy Manufacturing Could Bring 35,133 New Green Jobs
to Wisconsin
Sierra
Club,
United
Steelworkers,
Good
Jobs
and Livable
Neighborhoods
Applaud
the
Inclusion
of a
National
Renewable
Electricity
Standard
in Energy
Legislation
Today, the Blue-Green Action Alliance, the public policy partnership
of the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers (USW), and Good Jobs
and Livable Neighborhoods (GJLN) released a new report, “Wisconsin’s
Road to Energy Independence,” detailing the thousands of new green
jobs that could be created by manufacturing the components for wind
turbines, solar panels, and other renewable energy equipment. The study,
prepared by the Renewable Energy Policy Project, found that 1,331 firms
in Wisconsin could benefit from 35,133 new jobs—including 25,179 from
wind turbine manufacturing and 4,943 in solar manufacturing.
The three counties that stand to gain the most manufacturing jobs
are Milwaukee, Waukesha and Racine Counties. These counties have
the most firms that are currently active in the industrial sectors
that could supply the component parts to meet the demand necessary
to meet a national renewable energy standard.
“Why order wind turbines from Denmark to put up in Fond du Lac County
when we know that Wisconsin has the workers and the factories to make
them right here in the state?” said Rosemary Wehnes, Sierra Club Midwest
Associate Rep. “Turbines from Tower Tech Systems, Inc in Manitowoc
(which has a contract with Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems) and wind
power inverters from Magnetek Inc. in Menomonee Falls make sense for
both the environment and Wisconsin’s economy. Wisconsin’s been blessed
with the natural resources to help America fight global warming, now
it’s time for us to take advantage of Wisconsin’s human resources to
help put these smart energy solutions—and our citizens—to work.”
At a time when the U.S. is rapidly losing manufacturing jobs, renewable
energy manufacturing can revitalize communities across Wisconsin that
have lost jobs, as well creating a whole new generation of good-paying
manufacturing jobs. States across the country, such as Iowa, Arkansas,
Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, have already seen thousands of new jobs
created in the clean energy manufacturing sector.
“By pushing more renewable energy—something that will fight global
warming and protect the environment—Wisconsin can enjoy the same benefits
that other states are already seeing,” said Pam Fendt, Executive Director
of Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods. “Fighting global warming offers
us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a stronger, greener,
and more equitable economy, while leaving a cleaner planet and stable
climate for our children and grandchildren.”
Strong State and National Renewable Energy Standards Needed
The groups also applauded Congress for including a national Renewable
Electricity Standard (RES)—a requirement that 15 percent of our energy
come from renewable sources like wind, solar, and biomass—in the final
energy bill it is due to take up this week. After Republicans, led
by Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, filibustered such a standard in
the Senate, it was passed by the House of Representatives in its version
of the energy bill. It is an essential provision in the final bill.
“The states that moved earliest and most aggressively to establish
renewable electricity standards have seen thousands of new jobs created
already,” said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. “By enacting
a national standard, Congress could make sure that all states can benefit
from the green energy manufacturing boom. All the pieces are there,
Congress just needs to pass a final bill to flip the switch on America’s
clean energy future.”
Wisconsin has already shown leadership in passing a Wisconsin Renewable
Electricity Standard that would require 10% of electricity to come
from renewable sources by 2015.
"Right now, we have a historic opportunity to forge a new direction," said
Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers. "Investments
in environmentally friendly alternative energy programs at the state level, supported
by federal initiatives, can create a new surge of quality job growth while significantly
reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass
us by. There are no good jobs without a clean environment, and vice-versa."
David Foster, Executive Director of the Blue Green Action Alliance,
said, “We believe environmental challenges like global warming represent
the most important economic opportunities of our generation. This study
confirms that view.”
In addition to creating thousands of new jobs, analyses have demonstrated
that enacting a national RES could save hardworking American families
up to $18 billion by 2020 on their energy bills by lowering the cost
of natural gas, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Savings
for consumers here in Wisconsin would add up to $280 million. This
would also benefit industry and farmers who also depend heavily on
natural gas.
“Representatives Gwen Moore, Steve Kagan, Dave Obey, Ron Kind, Tom
Petri* and Tammy Baldwin voted in favor of clean renewable energy when
Congress was working on its energy bills this summer,” said Rosemary
Wehnes. “We thank them for their vote on the House bill and hope they
will continue to work hard to ensure passage of a final energy bill
that includes the national Renewable Energy Standard passed by the
House. This is something that will benefit each and every one of us
by saving us money on our energy bills, protecting our environment,
and strengthening our state’s economy.”
*Rep. Petri voted against the Udall-Platts RES amendment but for passage
of the final House bill (HR3221.)
The Blue Green Action Alliance is a public policy partnership of the
United Steelworkers, North America’s largest manufacturing union, and
the 1.3 million members and supporters of the Sierra Club, the nation’s
largest grassroots’ environmental organization. BGA is headquartered
in Minneapolis, MN.
Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods, envisioning economic development
that benefits Milwaukee by investing in its people and neighborhoods.
Contact: Pamela Fendt, director, (414) 443-2090.
The Renewable Energy Policy Project is a Washington, DC-based think
tank that concentrates on analysis of the renewable energy industry.
For the past three years REPP has focused attention on the need for
state and federal policies that support the growth of the renewable
energy industry. George Sterzinger is Executive Director of REPP. He
can be reached at gsterzinger@repp.org and 202-293-2898, ext. 203.
For more information see the “Wisconsin’s Road to Energy Independence,”
report at: http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/bluegreenjobs/
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