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 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]