State Representative Todd Novak (608) 237-9151

Madison, WI – The Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality is announcing its first of many hearings to take place on improving surface and ground water in Wisconsin. The bipartisan committee will hold the first of two hearings planned for Madison on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. The second Madison hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 3. Both meetings will be informational hearings as the committee gathers information from state departments and groups involved in water assessment. All future hearings will be public hearings and will be held in communities around the state.

“I’m excited to begin work on identifying an effective bi-partisan solution to the water challenges facing our state,” said Chairman Representative Novak. “Before we begin traveling the state, I believe it is important that members of the committee establish a strong understanding of the complexities of groundwater quality.”

The inaugural hearing will include testimony from the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey. Following these presentations, committee members will have the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of experts.

Vice Chair Representative Katrina Shankland added, “Access to clean, safe drinking water is vital to our health. The upcoming taskforce hearing presents an important opportunity for legislators to hear from experts on the science of water contamination and the public health risks associated with drinking contaminated water, and I’m pleased that we will be traveling around the state to hear directly from people affected by water quality issues as well. I am committed to working with my colleagues and experts to explore these issues deeply, and I am hopeful that we can work together to ensure everyone in our state has access to clean and safe drinking water.”

Following the Madison hearings, committee members will travel the state holding as many as eleven additional hearings. Each hearing will include invited speakers and ample time for public testimony.

“Public input is important to this process,” said Novak. “Each region of our state is facing a unique set of challenges. Our goal is to tailor each visit to highlight these challenges while ensuring the public is included in the conversation.”

See copies of the hearing notices: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1488136
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1488139

Print Friendly, PDF & Email