Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance took action late yesterday to solidify how the next state budget will fund the Department of Natural Resources and related programs. Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (R-Cameron) is excited to announce that, thanks to motions he authored alongside Representatives Angie Sapik (R-Lake Nebagamon) and Chanz Green (R-Grandview) the Legislature plans to direct increased funding to important projects in Northern Wisconsin.
The committee’s actions include providing:
1) $2,161,300 for development and maintenance projects in Amnicon Falls and Pattison State Parks
2) $2,500,000 in bonding for the Les Voigt Fish Hatchery and the Brule State Fish Hatchery for projects such as drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings
3) $196,000 to refurbish Great Lakes research vessels, including on Lake Superior
4) $7,500,000 to fund removal of contaminated sediment affecting the Great Lakes and tributaries, including Howard’s Bay and Munger Landing in the St. Louis River
5) $750,000 for repairs to the dam on Steve Creek in Price County
After seeing his advocacy and that of other newly-elected Republicans in the Northwoods lead to real results, Senator Quinn issued the following statement:
“You sent me to Madison to make sure Madison started paying attention to you. In our first budget as your elected officials, Representative Sapik, Representative Green, and I were able to direct the DNR to fund our area’s priorities. With many more budget votes to come, I will continue to advocate on your behalf to make Madison keep on looking North!”