MADISON – Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) responded to Governor Evers veto of Senate Bill 494 today. The bill would have provided private pond owners greater flexibility to implement proven treatment practices to better manage aquatic plants and invasive species.
“Wisconsin is known for its rich and abundant natural resources,” Rep. Steineke said. “It is unfortunate Governor Evers vetoed a bill that would have empowered private pond owners to be good stewards of the state and help keep up this great tradition.”
Wisconsin has been working hard the past several years to improve its water quality across the state. According to Wisconsin’s 2020 Water Quality Report to Congress, the number of waters identified as not impaired and placed on the Healthy Waters List increased by about 10% between 2018 and 2020. Unfortunately, high costs and bureaucratic red tape remain one of the largest barriers of improving water quality. Senate Bill 494 would have removed many of these barriers and empowered private pond owners to help preserve Wisconsin’s rich natural resources.
“Red tape and government bureaucracy should not impede the efforts of private pond owners to protect their water quality for the next generation,” Rep. Steineke concluded. “This bill would have ensured Wisconsinites had another tool in the tool box to keep their water clean for years to come.”
