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Testimony heard on Wisconsin high-capacity well bills

Wisconsin State Capitol

Environmentalists, private homeowners, and recreational water users testified against a bill that would help Wisconsin farmers.  Wednesday’s legislative hearing on the high-capacity well bill drew a standing room only crowd.

Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association President Tamas Houlihan testified this bill doesn’t create additional demand for water.  “The wells affected in this legislation are existing wells that have already been DNR approved but are in need of repair or replacement.  New DNR approval of these existing and previously approved wells would be redundant.”

Senate Bill 76 and Assembly bill 105 would allow owners of existing wells capable of drawing over 100-thousand gallons a day to repair, replace, or transfer the well to a new owner without a new DNR permit.  Opponents say farmers shouldn’t have the ability to negatively impact lake, stream, and groundwater levels.

The high-capacity well bills are expected to pass both the Assembly and Senate.

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