Lakes & Streams
Wisconsin’s waterways and the Public Trust Doctrine. The Public Trust Doctrine is simply the idea that no one person can claim ownership over the bounty of the lakes and streams… that these are gifts to be enjoyed and cherished by all. WGF’s analyses and educational materials are developed by the Public Trust and Wetlands Work Group.
Wake Boats and Lakes: New Report from Wisconsin’s Green Fire
February 20, 2024 Update:
This report is temporarily unavailable while we make some important updates. We’re working on adding new content to best reflect the scientific literature and emerging information from communities around Wisconsin and other states.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. Stay tuned for our announcement of the updated report!
The …
Read More >Wisconsin Tribes: Leading the way in protecting and restoring wetlands and watersheds
May is American Wetlands Month, and in celebration the Wisconsin Wetlands Association and partners have collaborated with Wisconsin Tribal communities to produce videos highlighting the work Tribes have done to protect wetlands in Wisconsin.
Tribes in Wisconsin are doing vital work to protect and restore wetlands and watersheds. The Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory …
Read More >Wisconsin’s Green Fire Thanks Governor Evers for Protecting Public Trust Doctrine
Rhinelander, WI – Wisconsin’s Green Fire thanks Governor Tony Evers for vetoing legislation that would allow private development on the beds of lakes and rivers without proper consideration of the public’s ownership and rights in Wisconsin’s waters. Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine, which is embodied in our State Constitution, holds those lakebeds and riverbeds in trust …
Read More >WGF Comments on Enbridge Line 5 Re-Route draft Environmental Impact Statement
WGF 2022 Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement
In December 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) released the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Enbridge Line 5 crude oil pipeline re-route in northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s Green Fire testified at the public hearing on February 2, 2022 and submitted Read More >
Wisconsin’s Green Fire Work on Oil Pipelines
Oil pipelines crisscross Wisconsin, but the regulation of these pipelines by the state is not well understood. In this video, we describe Wisconsin’s Green Fire work in 2020 on oil pipelines statewide, and on the proposed re-route of Enbridge Line 5 around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Wisconsin. Concerns …
Read More >A Guide to WATER RESOURCE PERMITTING for Pipeline Construction in Wisconsin
Pipeline construction impacts water resources through filling and disturbing wetlands, grading on the bank of waterways, crossing waterways and placing structures on or under the bed, or discharging stormwater runoff from construction. This 2 page guide outlines the permits needed in Wisconsin and public input opportunities.
Read More >Fact Sheet: Protecting the Public Trust in Wisconsin’s Lakes and Streams
The Public Trust Doctrine is simply the idea that no one person can claim ownership over the bounty of the lakes and streams… that these are gifts to be enjoyed and cherished by all.
You may be surprised to learn that the early settlers in Wisconsin adopted a concept of common water resource stewardship very similar …
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