Potawatomi Tower Meeting

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently hosted a virtual meeting to get feedback from local residents on the future of the historic observation tower at Potawatomi State Park.

The overwhelming majority of those who participated agreed that we must do what we can to save the beloved tower. It was great to see both Democrats and Republicans unite for a cause that benefits our entire community.

When I spoke, I wanted to make it clear that, because the tower is listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places, the DNR is required by law to come up with a plan to preserve the structure. They have not done that yet.

Another point I made is that there is a huge difference between the tower being handicapped-accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It appears the DNR is using the ADA as an excuse to not repair the tower.

The ADA requires that all new structures be completely handicapped-accessible. That is not true for the repair of existing facilities, however, especially if they are historically significant. I support the Americans with Disabilities Act, but we must be honest about what it says.

I am all for looking at ways to make the tower handicapped-accessible once it is rehabilitated, but the top priority right now is to save it first.

Repair of the tower is expected to cost around $250,000. I am confident that we can find enough money to complete the project, but the DNR has yet to put out a request for proposal. Simply put, we need to know how much we will have to spend before we can officially move forward. 

If you would like to share your thoughts on the tower with the DNR, the public comment period is open through Feb. 22.

To submit comments, you can send an email to melissa.vanlanduyt@wisconsin.gov or write to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, c/o Missy VanLanduyt, at 101 S. Webster St., P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. You can also submit comments online at surveymonkey.com/r/PotawatomiTower.

Testifying on Bills

Earlier this week, I testified on two of my bills that are expected to have a significant impact in our area.

The first, AB 914, grants an exemption to the Town of Gibraltar that would allow them to create a tax incremental district to pave the way for the construction of more than 100 workforce housing units.

The township is seeking the TID to pay for the installation of sanitary sewer lines and an interceptor that will service the workforce housing complex. That interceptor will also open up additional land for future development, which could include more affordable housing.

You can read my testimony by clicking here.

The second bill, AB 693, provides up to $5.6 million in authorized but unobligated Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds to complete critical health- and safety-related water infrastructure projects at our high-demand state parks.

Specifically in Door County, Potawatomi State Park and Newport State Park will receive a portion of the $5.6 million to install new water lines that will connect to their campgrounds, day-use areas, headquarters, shops and shower facilities. 

Potawatomi will also be getting some of the funding to construct new wells throughout the park.

If you would like to read my testimony on that bill, please click on this link. 

Water Protection Grants

We often get asked to write laws to help improve the quality of our water in Wisconsin. But what I have found is that cooperative efforts tend to be much more effective than implementing more regulations. 

That is why I have been such a strong advocate for our state’s Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants Program, which provides financial support to farmers to address soil and water issues specific to their respective areas.

Farmers are asked to focus on innovations and techniques that are not already covered by other state and federal programs. Participating farmers will also help their colleagues adopt conservation practices through peer-to-peer education and outreach activities.

Often these are new methods, so there is a financial risk to the farmers in trying them out. These grants help reduce the risk they are taking.

On that note, I am proud to let all of you know that the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection just announced the recipients of the latest round of grants, and Peninsula Pride Farms will be getting $40,000.

To learn more about how Peninsula Pride Farms has utilized the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants Program, please click here and here.