Bipartisan Water Quality Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

By Thomas Schumacher

MADISON, WI (WSAU) – Assembly Bill 65, co-authored by Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), was unanimously passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate this week.

The bipartisan law will aim to improve Wisconsin’s water quality by making lake and river protection funds more accessible and encouraging more farmers to join producer-led watershed protection associations.

Twenty-five environmental and agricultural organizations have endorsed the bill, which Shankland says will bring people together to support the best agriculture conservation practices.

Additionally, the bill gives producer-led watershed groups access to the DNR’s Lake and River Protection Grants, ensuring that Wisconsin’s farmers and water quality leaders have financial means for protecting water resources.

“I am thrilled that Assembly Bill 65, bipartisan legislation to support our farmers with initiatives for healthy water and soil, has passed both the State Assembly and Senate unanimously,” Shankland said. “I was glad to work with Reps. Kitchens, Novak, Tranel and Sen. Cowles in authoring and introducing this bill. We have worked hard to pass this legislation since I co-chaired the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality. We all agree that everyone in our state deserves access to clean and safe drinking water and healthy lakes, rivers, and soil. This bill is a terrific step in the right direction, as it improves programs supporting the immensely successful farmer-led watershed groups throughout Wisconsin.”

Assembly Bill 65 is currently on its way to Governor Evers’ desk to receive his signature.