LWV UMRR Advocacy Update - and how you can get involved in comments to the proposed Clean Water Rule

The dual mission of League of Women Voters - to educate voters and advocate on issues - is exemplified in the work of the LWV Upper Mississippi River Region.  We provide information on a variety of topics in this blog, through our newsletter, and in the educational meetings we co-sponsor with local Leagues.  And we advocate,  through taking and advocating for positions on key issues.  This post provides an update on work we are doing in three areas; the Farm Bill, the Clean Water Rule and  Foxconn.   

Farm Bill:  The conference committee report, which reconciles the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, was released early today.  The Senate has already approved it, and a vote is expected in the House tomorrow.  Here's a link to a summary of the bill, from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.  LWV UMRR has been participating in conference calls with this coalition, and on Dec 11 signed on to a letter to Congressional leadership urging final passage of the bill .  The bill has many positive components, including continued support for income-based food support, strong and expanded conservation program funding, additional supports for dairy farmers and even a provision to ease restrictions on the growing of hemp.  We will include more information on this bill in blog posts to come, so stay tuned.  The full text of the bill can be read here. 
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Clean Water Act preservation and support:  LWV US was very involved supporting the initial passage of the Clean Water Act in 1970.   (Read the history of LWV Clean Water Act advocacy here.) We are continuing this work through advocacy in two areas where our current federal administration is seeking to roll back Clean Water Act protections.   One rollback is the rewrite of the Clean Water Rule.  This multi-part rulemaking revolves around the definition of "Waters of the US".  Here is the US, EPA rulemaking page, proposed changes were just announced on December 11, and a 60-day comment period will soon begin.  LWV UMRR will work with LWV US to participate in this rule making.   If you are interested in learning more about this proposed rule, and helping LWV UMRR prepare comments, please email us at [email protected].  We will send you materials and set up a conference call to discuss possible comment areas.    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The Environmental Integrity Project has issued a report on the impact of this potential rule change on Chesapeake Bay - Read more about it here.  

LWV UMRR and LWV US have also signed on to a letter to EPA, urging them to maintain the existing Clean Water Act 404(c) rules.  These rules have been used by environmental groups to counter environmentally damaging projects.   The sign-on letter was started by the National Wildlife Federation.
Click here to read  the letter.  Click here to see the list of organizations that have signed on to the letter.  

Foxconn​:  LWV Wisconsin has lead LWV efforts to oppose the withdrawal of more than 7 million gallons per day of Lake Michigan water for this new industrial development near Racine.  LWV Lake Michigan is party to the Petition seeking reconsideration by WI DNR.  LWV Upper Mississippi has made a resolution in opposition, and will continue to find ways to work against this transfer.  You can read the resolution here. 

LWV UMRR will be traveling to southeastern Wisconsin for our February Board meeting.  We will seek to meet with Leagues in the area to talk about the project, get an update and see how the recent change of administration in Wisconsin may affect things.  Once the plans for this meeting are set, we will share them here on our 'Upcoming Events" page.   There are three previous blog posts on Foxconn:  

• Foxconn Update - the scale of the plant is shrinking...
• Foxconn takes Wisconsin by storm
• Update on the Racine diversion