Here & Now

Capitol Insight: Fitzgerald On Budget, High-Powered Wells

Frederica Freyberg:

For tonight’s “Capitol Insight,” a look with senate leaders at a contentious issue. But first this background. Wisconsin ranks number one in the nation for production of snap beans, number two for carrots and number three for potatoes. That volume vegetable production means the need for water to irrigate, especially in the Central Sands region in the middle of Wisconsin, where potato production is king. The use of high-capacity wells which withdraw more than 100,000 gallons of water per day is on the rise. That’s to the consternation of environmentalists concerned about lakes and streams running dry because of the large scale irrigation. And that concern escalated this week when the state senate passed a measure that relaxes regulations on high-capacity wells. Under the bill, the DNR would not have oversight on the wells if they are repaired, replaced or the property is sold. Senate Majority Leader Republican Scott Fitzgerald is chief author of the bill. We’ll be joined by the minority leader who opposes the measure in a few moments. But Senator Fitzgerald joins us now and thanks very much for doing so.

Scott Fitzgerald:

Good to be with you.

Frederica Freyberg:

So why did you author this bill?

Scott Fitzgerald:

Really I think because if you go back to last session, it was one of the few bills that we were unable to complete our action on. We passed it in the Senate. The Assembly passed it. There was an amendment added over there that we just couldn’t come to agreement on. So we adjourned. Both houses adjourned and we had not completed our action on this. So for me it was one of the things that we should have revisited right away and we did, and with the way that — just with the way that the bill was drafted and how we brought it together, I ended up being the sponsor of it.

Frederica Freyberg:

Well, now, you’re quoted as saying that this bill could have gone way further and this bill is not that.

Scott Fitzgerald:

That's true.

Frederica Freyberg:

How could it have gone so much further?

Scott Fitzgerald:

I think if you started to forecast exactly where you think that industry is going, where agriculture is going I should say, and there are other parts of the state where this could be an issue as well where there’s just a higher water need. Southern Door County is probably another area that is constantly scrutinized but for different reasons. Most of it is related to dairy, which is a big part of this puzzle as well. But in this instance I think based on some previous court rulings and the way that we thought we could gain support for this was to make sure that it was pretty much measured and it’s as you described. It’s really more about giving stability and kind of direction when it comes to how are we going to deal with these high-capacity wells in the future and should it be measured. And I think that this bill is exactly that. There’s a lot of fear talk involved in this. And there was a lot of it on the floor of the Senate, about lakes drying up, streams drying up, all of that fear talk. Listen. I understand that ultimately, you know, we all have this real concern about water. And that was pretty evident in the debate we had. But I think this bill is measured.

Frederica Freyberg:

But it exempts existing wells, basically, from oversight, so that’s measured?

Scott Fitzgerald:

It is measured, because anyone involved in this industry or in agriculture per se — and you just rattled off the numbers and what the impact it is for this state. I mean, a lot of these farmers, all they want to know is that, hey, if we make an investment, if we expand our operation, we want to make sure that there’s going to be water for that expansion. And, you know, they’re protectors of the environment. No one’s a better protector of the environment than I think agriculture and farming. And they have the same concerns. So I think — you know, this is measured and this moves us in the right direction.

Frederica Freyberg:

What have you heard from property owners who might have lakefront homes or something and their concerns about literally drying up their lakes?

Scott Fitzgerald:

They're very concerned about it. They’re worried about it. I’ve had it in my district for many, many years where a lake will be certainly in a position, for many different reasons that happens. And, you know, no one’s discarding that. One of the things that one of our brand new senators, Patrick Testin, who represents the 24th, insisted on was an amendment that included a study of the Central Sands area. We did adopt that amendment. So that will take place. But at the end of the day I think it’s still about certainty for the industry that continues to be a major, major player in our economy.

Frederica Freyberg:

On that amendment, though, my understanding is that it’s not a review of the impact of the entire region, just a portion of it.

Scott Fitzgerald:

Well, you can study the whole state if you want. We can talk about groundwater. We can talk about the science of hydrology all you want. This is I think focused on an area where, you know, there were — people that were vocal about it. This is the part of the state that they have been focused on and I think this responds to that. So I think it makes sense. You know, down the road you may want to do other studies. I said southern Door County is another area where there’s some concerns. Certainly in southeastern Wisconsin along the state line, I mean, there’s always been different areas of the state where I think you can do a study and see what’s really going on and is there something going on.

Frederica Freyberg:

Let me move to the budget as long as I have you here. We learned that the Joint Finance Committee, the budget writers, are going to start from scratch on transportation. What’s your response to that and what will you be looking for?

Scott Fitzgerald:

The way I would put it is we're working off the governor’s budget in all areas except transportation. And the Speaker and I kind of came to that agreement just this week. And the reason is I think you’re going to see some type of omnibus motion when it comes to transportation. There’s going to be a lot of things included in that and we’re negotiating that now. We’re trying to work through that ahead of the finance committee even so maybe we have something that we can present to the full caucuses that’s going to be embraced. I mean, right now for me and this caucus, I think gas tax increases are probably not going to be part of it or vehicle registration fee increases are not going to be part of it as well. So we’ve got to be creative. We’re thinking outside the box. We’re looking at the mega projects in southeast Wisconsin as well as the majors and taking all that into consideration and trying to come up with something long-term.

Frederica Freyberg:

On those southeast projects, you’d like those to proceed?

Scott Fitzgerald:

I do. I think all we’re doing is falling further behind the eight ball when it comes to those megas. We’re talking about $6 billion to be all-inclusive. We’ve got to focus on that and continue to make sure that that’s not neglected. If we fall behind on these, we’re never going to catch up.

Frederica Freyberg:

All right. We need to leave it there. Senator Fitzgerald, thanks very much.

Scott Fitzgerald:

Thank you.