Sawyer County Lakes Forum

EDITOR'S PAGE
The Editor Recommends	LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Here are several items of interest active in the Wisconsin Legislature. [All of this information is reprinted - with permission - from the fall edition of On the Waterfront, the Newsletter of the Washburn County Lakes & Rivers Association, Inc. (WCLRA) The Sawyer County Lakes Forum thanks WCLRA for allowing us to reprint this information.] Aquatic Invasive Species Transport Bill (ABH162/ SB 123) - This legislation requires that all aquatic plants and animals be removed from boats or other equipment before they are transported on a public road. Earlier language passed as part of the budget bill in May of 2008 proved inadequate and difficult to enforce. This bill provides more effective language and expands enforcement authority. It was passed earlier this year by both the Senate and the Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Doyle on October 28 in Madison. Ballast Bill (AB 360) - All vessels that take on ballast water outside of Wisconsin waters will require a permit to discharge ballast water or sediment within Wisconsin waters. Treatment will be required to kill or remove AIS or other organisms. A public hearing on this bill took place on September 2, 2009. Independent DNR Secretary Bill (AB 138/ SB113) - This bill would return the authority to appoint the DNR Secretary from the governor to the DNR Natural Resources Board. The Assembly has passed AB 138 with a very large bipartisan vote. SB 113 has passed the Senate committee and is available for scheduling before the full Senate. Governor Doyle continues to oppose this measure. [Additional update:This bill was ultimately passed by both houses and sent to the governor for his signature. On Nov, 13, 2009, Governor Doyle vetoed this measure. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton strongly favors the measure and has called on the legislature to mount a campaign to override the governor's veto.] Phosphorus in Dishwashing Detergent (AB 281) - Earlier this summer, the full Assembly passed this measure which would reduce one of the most common sources of phosphorus pollution. More recently, the Senate passed the bill and it now awaits only the Governor's signature to become law. [Additional update:Governor Doyle signed this bill into law on Nov. 12, 2009.] Mercury Products Bill (SB 200, AB 299) - On October 6 this bill was signed by Governor Doyle. It will regulate the sale of non-essential, mercury containing household items such as fever thermometers, thermostats, switches and relays. This will not, by itself, solve the mercury problem. This will help deal with one controllable source of mercury. Invasive Species Classification Rule (NR 40) - This rule became effective of September 1, 2009. It classifies invasive species and prohibits or restricts the transportation, possession, transference or introduction of invasive species depending on their classification To see a brief history of the Northwest Wisconsin Waters Consortium, click on the link below. [Use your browser's back arrow to return to this page.] Consortium History The Whitefish Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan To see the complete Whitefish Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan, click on the link below. [Use your browser's back arrow to return to this page when you are done.] WhiteFish Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan The Star Home Project The Sawyer County Lakes Forum is combining resources with the Sawyer County Land and Water conservation department to implement a program called the Conservation Star home Project. To see more information about the project click on the link below. see Star Home Project Conservatiion Star Home Checklist To see the Conservation Star Home Checklist click on the link below. see Conservation Star Home Checklist [Use your browser's back arrow to return to this page.] The SCLF Promotion Brochure The Sawyer County Lakes Forum has developed a new promotion brochure. To see the new brochure click on the links below. When you get to the page, click on View - Full Screen see SCLF Brochure - side 1 see SCLF Brochure - side 2 GET THE LEAD OUT DISPLAY - NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR MEETING The Sawyer County Lakes Forum has a "Get the Lead Out" display which is available to lake associatiion. To see the new display click on the links below. When you get to the page, click on View - Full Screen [in the menu at the top of the screen]. Use your browser's back arrow to return to this page. see Get the Lead Out Display - horizontal view see Get the Lead Out display - Center Panel To get the display for your lake association's meeting, call Bruce Meyers at 715-462-4119 to find out if it is available on the date of your meeting. See the Links Page - links to other sites. The Links Page - the last page of this site - has links to many other sites where you can get information that you can use or will find valuable.

The Web Site of the Sawyer County Lakes Forum	To communicate with the forum, send an e-mail to editor@sawyercountylakesforum.org [click on the link] To send stories or pictures to this publication, attach them to the e-mail.

Created on June 1, 2004; updated October 15, 2008