Madison – Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart), chair of the Assembly Committee on Environment, shared the following statement regarding the recent ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on DNR oversight of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS):
“As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environment, I’m deeply disappointed by today’s decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This ruling undermines the rights of landowners across our state by granting the DNR sweeping authority to act without legislative oversight, clear rulemaking, or public accountability.
“I believe we need to be stewards of environment, ensuring proper water, air, and land quality while keeping government overreach in check. By no means should WI residents be endangered by polluters and the ramifications of their actions, however the decision today was disheartening. It was another example of liberal agenda overtaking common sense.
“What’s even more concerning is that Governor Evers called this ruling a “historic victory.” In truth, it’s a historic overreach—an expansion of bureaucratic power that opens the door for unelected regulators to unfairly target farmers, homeowners, and hardworking families in small communities who played no role in PFAS contamination,” shared Rep. Goeben.
In a 5–2 decision, the court ruled that the DNR can require PFAS cleanup even though these chemicals haven’t been officially classified as hazardous through the formal rulemaking process. This decision creates uncertainty for property owners and grants the DNR wide latitude to act without clear standards, due process, or transparency.
