Policy
WGF analyses and statements on broad policy about science in natural resource management, as well as legislation and actions with wide-ranging policy implications for Wisconsin’s environment.
Updates on Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline – December 2024
Enbridge received permits from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for oil pipeline Line 5 Reroute to cross streams and wetlands in northern Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, crude oil spilled from Line 6 in southern Wisconsin.
Enbridge Line 5 Segment Relocation Map, 2020
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) has followed and commented …
Read More >Update on 2025 Fish and Wildlife Account
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Briefs Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) and State Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Groups on 2025 Fish and Wildlife Account
Prepared by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
As the Governor prepares his 2025-2027 State Budget for release in late February, he has invited Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) Executive Director Meleesa Johnson to bring …
Read More >Get to Know New Wisconsin Legislators
Wisconsin Capitol building rotunda facing the west gallery, November 2024, Photo by Carolyn Pralle
New Wisconsin State Senators and Assembly Representatives for the 2025-2026 Session
Wisconsin Legislative Districts – Senate and Assembly maps 2024. Visit https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/?version=2024 to view the maps and find your legislators.
Prepared by WGF Policy Director Paul Heinen, updated …
Read More >The green fire still burns
Northern lights seen from Vilas County, October 2024, Photo by Don Behm
A message from Meleesa Johnson, Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire:
As a former candidate, I know personally the full range of emotions of winning an election and losing an election. But one does not need to be a candidate to feel that …
Read More >Wisconsin Neonics Forum – Oct. 30, 2024
Written by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) co-sponsored the first-ever Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024.
Our attendees to the Wisconsin Neonics Forum included executive director Meleesa Johnson, work group members Mark Asplund and Bill Fisher, agricultural projects coordinator Ben …
Read More >Wake Boats Coalition – Focus on Local Control
Wake Boats & Wisconsin Lakes – October 14, 2024 News Release
“Wisconsin Coalition Hails Local Efforts Regulating Wake-Enhanced Boats”
Our work as a coalition continues to advance a science-based approach to protect Wisconsin lakes from harmful effects related to wake-enhanced boats. On October 14, 2024, the coalition shared this news release, focusing on local efforts by Wisconsin …
Read More >Wisconsin Lakes Coalition – Policy Positions on Wake Boats
Wisconsin Lakes Coalition – September 16, 2024 Update
Sep. 16, 2024 News Release: Wisconsin Lakes Coalition Shares Policy Positions to Protect Wisconsin’s Lakes
Wisconsin’s Green Fire is one of the leading organizations within a new coalition of groups protecting Wisconsin’s lakes from the effects of wake boats. On September 16, 2024, …
Read More >WGF Comments on DNR’s PFOAS Guidance
Responding to WDNR Draft Guidance for PFOA and PFAS in Water
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is developing guidance for minimization plans of wastewater treatment systems regarding two of the most common forms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. Those two forms include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). …
Read More >Joint Audit Committee Approves Fish and Wildlife Fee Audit
Updates on Funding for Conservation
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Joint Audit Committee voted 5-4 (all Democrats opposing) to conduct an audit of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) fish and wildlife account. Paul Heinen, Policy Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), was at the hearing to get an early feel for what the …
Read More >WGF Position Statement – Apostle Islands National Park Proposal
In late July 2024, Congressman Tom Tiffany proposed a bill, HR 9111, to change the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore into a national park and preserve. Read our Wisconsin’s Green Fire position statement below, prepared as of August 15, 2024.
Wisconsin’s Green Fire Position Statement
Proposal to Replace Apostle Islands National Lakeshore with a National Park and Preserve …