May 19, 2023

By Lane Kimble

WTBA and its members pride themselves on protecting Wisconsin’s natural beauty and sustainability while building a robust and reliable transportation system.

That’s why WTBA filed comments Friday, urging the Wisconsin DNR to consider revisions to an environmental rule change that could impact members who operate quarries and pits.

The antidegradation change has to do with how the state protects certain bodies of water and could specifically impact aggregate producers as well as WisDOT’s Transportation Construction General Permit (TCGP).

The rule change would clarify how the state defines “high-quality” waterbodies (adding parameters instead of simply designating an entire waterbody as such) and would require downstream waterbody reviews. It also protects both existing and designated uses, among other things.

Click HERE to read the DNR’s economic impact analysis.

The DNR says updating this rule will bring Wisconsin into compliance with U.S. EPA regulations. The EPA recommended, but did not require, the DNR to take this action.

“All regulations should be tailored to a specific purpose, scientifically based and provide clear notice to regulated entities of their compliance obligations,” WTBA wrote in its comments today.

Any changes Wisconsin DNR makes need to be approved by the state Natural Resources Board and Governor, then reviewed by the Legislature.

WTBA is continuing to monitor these potential changes and will update you accordingly.  If you have any questions, please email WTBA General Counsel Jodi Jensen.