Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality Matt tt Krueger ueger Executive Director April 3, 2019
Water quality issues from the county conservation perspective County land and water conservation departments play a unique role that in unmatched in the public sector
Water quality issues from the county conservation perspective Groundwater and drinking water contamination are emerging public health issues Source: Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council Report to the Legislature 2018, (DNR)
Water quality issues from the county conservation perspective The polluted runoff issue is not new, but has not yet been solved Source: Food, Land, and Water: Moving Forward , (WI Land+Water), Nov. 2017 (Rev. 1)
Water quality issues from the county conservation perspective • We do not adequately fund water quality initiatives STATE • DNR/DATCP 2019 Joint Allocation - $20,929,915 • County staffing - $8,964,100 • Bonding cost-share - $3,455,000 • Nutrient mgmt cost-share - $2,234,476 • DATCP FY 2017-18 Farmland Preservation tax credits - $17,204,000 FEDERAL • 2018 conservation progs (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) - $62 million
Water quality issues from the county conservation perspective Agriculture contributes to our water quality challenges, but is also part of the solution Source: Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Annual Report, (DATCP), 2017
Water quality issues from the county conservation perspective The status quo is not working for agriculture, nor for water quality
Food, Land, and Water Project • Consensus exists that we must do a better job • Our funding of conservation is insufficient • Water quality not the sole responsibility of agriculture
Long-term recommendations Wisconsin must make a serious commitment to funding conservation and water quality initiatives
Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Amendment • Generated $2.6 billion (2010-present) in four categories; leveraged an additional $2.5 billion in non-state investment • Paid for by increasing state sales tax by 3/8 of a cent, for 25 years • Approved 56-39% by voters during Great Recession, with approving majorities in all congressional districts • 2017 polling shows support increased to 75% support • Guidelines specified by state constitution; appropriations overseen by legislative and citizen councils
Long-term recommendations Launch a robust effort to obtain a comprehensive and verifiable picture of conservation and water quality programs across the state, and across agency programs, optimizing and aligning all programs that affect water quality
Short-term recommendations Fully fund DATCP county conservation staffing and support grants at a baseline of $12.4 million annually
Short-term recommendations Provide adequate financial support to groundwater mapping, outreach, and education
Short-term recommendations Support clean water initiatives in Governor Evers’ proposed budget
Source: Wisconsin Conservation History, (NRCS), 2010
Source: Wisconsin Conservation History, (NRCS), 2010
Questions Matt Matt Krueger ueger matt@wisconsinlandwater.org 608-441-2677
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