Posted July 25, 2004 in the Oshgosh, WI paper, The Oshgosh
Northwestern
Pat Durkin column: Thanks to watery wealth, we should count our
blessings
While listening to Wisconsinites argue the past year about how best to
rewrite laws that govern work alongside or within our waterways, the
thought occurs we should count our blessings.
We could have real problems, like say, those living in more arid states
west of us, which pretty much covers two-thirds of the nation.
They envy our watery wealth. After all, problems of abundance are more
a matter of deciding whether to cut the pie into eight wedges or 10.
Such arguments sound ridiculous to those with just a tin and crust.
Arid-land dwellers also envy Wisconsin's Constitution, which holds
that our waterways "shall be common highways and forever free, as well
to the inhabitants of the state as to the citizens of the United
States." It's difficult to read such language and not feel awe and
respect for the state's forefathers.
Granted, people who own land along the state's almost-infinite
waterways often feel put out to comply with regulations, inspectors and
bureaucratic hurdles when they want to landscape or build. But one hopes
they occasionally pause to ponder how their desires will affect the 5
million-plus citizens who own the waters themselves.
Although some folks struggle with the concept that the public owns the
waters bordering or running through their property, a good many more
believe the Public Trust Doctrine governing our navigable waters is a
bedrock value.
As a result, for every shoreline owner who considers the Department of
Natural Resources overbearing, at least as many believe the agency is
too timid about protecting our waterways and wetlands.
And contrary to claims from some readers, many citizens who feel
protective toward wetlands and waterways don't fit Rush Limbaugh's
"environmentalist-wacko" label. In fact, last week the Wisconsin
Wildlife Federation released a survey of hunters and anglers that found
overwhelming support for strong environmental regulations. This, despite
the fact 59 percent of them voted for George Bush in 2000, and only 26
percent voted for Al Gore and 2 percent for Ralph Nader. Further, 42
percent considered themselves Republican or leaning Republican, and 29
percent said they were Democrats or leaning that way.
Perhaps more telling is that 72 percent of those 303 hunters and
anglers surveyed considered themselves somewhat conservative, and only
26 percent considered themselves moderates, "somewhat liberal" or
"very liberal."
Even so, 73 percent of them opposed wetland filling or draining, even
if the parcel is "replaced" elsewhere, and 64 percent opposed
federal guidelines that eliminate Clean Water Act protection for 20
million acres of wetlands. Further, 65 percent of these same outdoorsmen
also favored full funding for Florida Everglades restoration.
Therefore, we shouldn't be surprised that hunters and anglers have
been among the groups riding the DNR, Legislature and Gov. Doyle the
past year to ensure they don't give away too much control over work on
private lands bordering the public's waterways.
We can also assume they'll attend upcoming public hearings on
proposed revisions to rules governing such work. The first round of
hearings is scheduled for July 27 in Waukesha and Rhinelander, July 28
in Eau Claire and Wausau, July 29 in Shell Lake and La Crosse, and Aug.
3 in Madison and Green Bay. Those hearings will address rules designed
to ensure continued protection of Wisconsin's wild and scenic rivers;
Great Lakes tributaries; prime walleye, musky and trout waters; and
other sensitive, high-quality waters.
A second round of hearings will also be scheduled for late August and
early September, at which time other proposed water-regulatory changes
will be discussed, including permanent rules governing piers and other
structures.
We can expect to hear sad tales of bureaucratic blunders, but the
shorelines separating public ownership and individual rights will always
be among Wisconsin's blessed battlefields. Let's be grateful few
citizens take them for granted, no matter their perspective.
Patrick Durkin writes a weekly column for The Northwestern. He may be
reached at 721 Wesley St., Waupaca, Wis., 54981; or by e-mail at
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