Environmental Law and Policy Center » Wisconsin

ELPC Applauds Passage of Wisconsin’s Electronic Products Recycling Bill

pgray — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:39:04 +0000

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Assembly passed the Electronic Products Recycling Bill (Senate Bill 107) that requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the growing problem of electronic waste.

ELPC helped create Illinois’ e-waste recycling bill and advised on policy and built support for Wisconsin’s legislation.

“Electronic waste is the fastest growing toxic segment of the solid waste stream, and this Wisconsin legislation is part of the solution,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. “This legislation helps solve our e-waste problems, creates jobs and makes recycling easier for residents. It’s a win-win-win for Wisconsin.”

Read ELPC’s press release here

Howard Learner in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Climate Legislation will Have Many Winners

pgray — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:42:12 +0000

ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner said that federal climate legislation will create job growth and economic progress in his address at a Climate Change and Green Jobs conference at the University of Wisconsin.

“There may be a negative impact on the coal industry or on a company that owns a lot of coal plants, and you may hear them howling,” said Learner. “But on the other hand there’s a large number of winners who are creating jobs and that’s a boost to our economy.”

The event was part of the University of Wisconsin’s graduate program in sustainability and was covered by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Read the article here

ELPC Urges Members of Congress to Support More Sustainable Forestry in Wisconsin’s Northwoods

pgray — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:17:18 +0000

ELPC Staff Attorney Katherine Dixon testified before members of the House Agriculture Committee at a public hearing in Appleton, WI on July 20.

In her testimony, Kathrine explained the unique importance of Wisconsin’s only National Forest and the aggressive logging practices that have threatened the forest’s health in recent years. Katherine’s testimony outlined steps the US Forest Service can take to manage the forest in a way that balances recreation, natural resources values and logging.

Read Kathrine’s testimony here.

Important Congressional Hearing on Wisconsin’s Northwoods – Take Action July 20!

pgray — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:38:08 +0000

Are you interested in making a big difference to protect Wisconsin’s Northwoods? On Monday, July 20th the House Agriculture Committee will be holding a public hearing in Appleton, WI to discuss forest resources in Northern Wisconsin.

What: House Agriculture Committee Field Hearing on forest resource management in Northern Wisconsin

When: Monday, July 20th, 9:00am

Where: Radisson Paper Valley, 333 W. College Avenue, Appleton WI 54911

Details are also available on the House Agriculture Committee schedule.

This is an exciting and rare opportunity, and you can make sure conservationists have a seat at the table!

Here five easy ways you can help:

1. This hearing is open to the public, and anyone can attend. Share this information with interested friends in the Appleton area. RSVP by email or phone to ahorn@elpc.org or 608.204.9735.

2. Do you have a blog or a mailing list? Inform other conservationists about this hearing!

3. Can’t attend? Show your support for preserving the CNNF by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Contact ahorn@elpc.org if you would like guidance or a template letter that you can personalize and send.

4. Send a letter to Congressman Kagen, thanking him for drawing attention to this important issue and urging him to protect important natural resource values in the Northwoods. Personalizing your letter helps you make more of an impact.

5. Submit written testimony. Anyone is free to submit written testimony to the following mailing address:

Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Agriculture
1301 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Wisconsin Lt. Governor Calls on House to Pass Climate and Energy Bill

pgray — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:37 +0000

With a close vote expected on historic climate and energy legislation, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Lawton wrote to the Wisconsin congressional delegation urging representatives to vote for the Waxman-Markey bill. Read Lt. Governor Lawton’s letter here.

Call from individuals may be the best way to influence this important vote. Call your legislators today and ask them to vote yes on the the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill.

ELPC, HEC and Forest Service Settle Cayuga Timber Sale in Wisconsin’s Northwoods

jgeiger — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:05:49 +0000

ELPC and Habitat Education Center (HEC) have agreed to a settlement with the US Forest Service on the Cayuga Project timber sale, which approved logging of more than 5,200 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The settlement will defer logging and road building for four years on 2,000 acres that scientists have identified as critically important for wildlife habitat, clean water, at-risk species protection and the overall health of the forest.

Read ELPC’s press release.

ELPC’s Kevin Brubaker on Benefits of High-Speed Rail to Wisconsin

pgray — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:47:05 +0000

Appearing on WISN TV’s Upfront With Mike Gousha, ELPC’s Deputy Director Kevin Brubaker explains some of the benefits high-speed rail will bring to the Wisconsin and the Midwest, including new jobs, economic development and more convenient travel. ELPC has worked for 15 years to bring high speed rail the to Midwest. Our work took a great step forward when the Economic Stimulus Act invested $8 billion in for high speed rail.

Watch the video here

Wisconsin Governor Backs High-Speed Rail for Stimulus Funds

pgray — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:41:59 +0000

Washington, D.C.: Governor Doyle (WI) spoke to Congress Thursday about Wisconsin’s share of the proposed $825 billion dollar stimulus plan and the importance of supporting a Midwest high-speed rail network with those funds. Wisconsin, which hopes to receive $2.5 billion for general purposes and another $500 million specifically for transportation, already has more than $137 million in proposed railway construction projects ready to go. Read more here.

ELPC’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction Granted on Fishel Timber Sale Near Eagle River, Wisconsin

jgeiger — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:08:26 +0000

On December 31st, Federal Magistrate Aaron Goodstein granted ELPC’s emergency motion for a preliminary injunction against the Fishel timber sale, which is located just east of Eagle River. This can lead to more protection for 5,517 acres of hardwood forest ecosystem and at-risk species. The protected area includes some of the best quality habitat for Northern goshawks in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, two cold-water trout streams, and the neighboring Blackjack Springs Wilderness Area.

The Forest Service has repeatedly attempted to shut ELPC and our scientist colleagues out of the appeal process for the Fishel timber sale. The Forest Service tried to award the logging contracts before the Court resolved our case on the merits. The preliminary injunction preserves the status quo.

ELPC is working hard to protect clean water, threatened species and important wildlife habitat, biodiversity and other important natural resources in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The Forest Service is proposing too much logging, too fast and in too many of the wrong places. Let’s preserve this special place!

Take Action on another timber sale: Please ask the Forest Service to reconsider its proposal for the Cayuga timber sale near Clam Lake in Northern Wisconsin. Click here to send a letter to Regional Forester Kent Connaughton.

Take Action: Help Protect the Northwoods

elpc — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:40:29 +0000

Take Action: Help Protect Wisconsin’s Northwoods

Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been identified as one of the “10 most endangered national forests” in the nation. It is one of the most heavily-logged national forests in the Eastern region. ELPC has launched an online Activist Toollkit that will make it easier for you to voice your opinion on how our forests are managed. Click here to learn more.