Contact: Rep. Todd Novak, (608) 266-7502

MADISON – The Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality chaired by Rep. Todd Novak (Dodgeville) held a public hearing in Lancaster on Wednesday at the UW-Extension Youth and Ag Building. The 16-member bipartisan committee consists of members from both the State Assembly and Senate.

The Task Force first heard testimony from invited speakers followed by members of the public. Invited testimony included representatives from the Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology Study (SWIGG), Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance (LASA), The Wisconsin Pork Producers Association, UW-Platteville Pioneer Farms, and UW Discovery Farms. An estimated 150 people were in the audience and over 30 members of the public testified.

“Agriculture is a dominant and essential industry in Southwest Wisconsin,” said Novak. “I think it was fitting that we heard from a variety of farm groups and those who are working to develop and improve conservation practices for our farmers.”

To date, the Task Force has heard from stakeholders ranging from agriculture groups to conservation organizations. The full list:

– Department of Natural Resources

– Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection

– Department of Health Services

– Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey

– Wisconsin Farm Bureau

– Wisconsin Farmers Union

– Wisconsin Land & Water

– Wisconsin Conservation Voters

– Clean Wisconsin

– Wisconsin Corn Growers Association

– Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology Study (SWIGG)

– Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance (LASA)

– The Wisconsin Pork Producers Association

– UW-Platteville Pioneer Farms

– UW Discovery Farms

“We’ve made an effort to invite experts with diverse backgrounds and ideas that highlight the region of the state we are visiting,” said Novak. “I am incredibly impressed with the progress we have made.”

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