LETTER: Reform conservation veto power that invites corruption

To Ozaukee Press:

Citizens of our state, whether hunters and hikers, ATV enthusiasts and cross-country skiers, business leaders and conservation group, all cherish Wisconsin’s natural beauty and outdoor

recreation opportunities. The Pelican River Forest conservation project would conserve 70,000 acres; the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has approved funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund to make this a reality.

The project, which has the approval of both conservative and liberal appointees on the board, will provide abundant public hunting land in addition to opportunities for trapping, hiking and cross-country skiing. It is expected to support 775 forest related jobs. It will help protect the headwaters of the Wolf River. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress supports this, as do ATV and UTV clubs. In addition, the land will remain in private hands and pay about $73,000 in taxes annually.

A single anonymous member of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has chosen to refuse to bring this to a vote. This is not the way good government and honest legislators behave.

Sadly, this is not the first time this has happened. Ozaukee County recently experienced the same abuse at the hands of the JFC when an anonymous member blocked a grant of land for the Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs Nature Preserve county park.

Our state needs urgent reform to the function of the Joint Finance Committee. Good governance requires transparency, accountability and a clear path for an up or down vote.

Citizens must know what their Legislature does to prevent corruption. Never be surprised by the abuse of power. Gerrymandering breeds mediocrity and corruption.

Margaret Spoerl

Mequon