MADISON – The Wisconsin State Assembly today passed AB 315 and AB 612 on a party-line vote. Charlie Carlin, representing Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts, issued the following statement:
“Unfortunately, what passed today is Knowles-Nelson in name only. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program was founded to acquire conservation lands for outdoor recreation and to protect environmentally sensitive areas. Nonprofit conservation organizations and local communities can do neither under AB 315 and AB 612. Without funding for land acquisition, the program cannot fulfill its core mission.
“As the legislation moves to the Senate, there is one more opportunity for real bipartisan compromise. The solution is straightforward and the message is simple: restore funding for land acquisition and we will have a workable program.
“Gathering Waters and Team Knowles-Nelson have been pleased to work with supporters of conservation on both sides of the aisle. Let’s make sure that we continue Wisconsin’s greatest bipartisan success story. We are counting on conservation champions in both parties to come together and deliver a program that works for Wisconsin.”
Gathering Waters is Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trust, representing 40 non-profit conservation organizations. Team Knowles-Nelson is a coalition of 75+ organizations advocating for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, Wisconsin’s flagship conservation program.
