WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsCounty passes fish kill resolution

County passes fish kill resolution

by Colby Robertson

MARATHON COUNTY (WAOW) -- The Marathon County board passed a resolution to control the fish kill in the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir.

Last week we told you that County leaders were talking about a resolution that would require everyone involved to get together and find a solution.

One group not included in that resolution is BEPCO,  the Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization.

During the meeting.. BEPCO gave a statement asking that they be included in the boards resolution, since its members are very close to the problem.

The full statement from BEPCO says:

The Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization (BEPCO) is encouraged to see that Marathon County is seriously expanding their efforts to address the situation on the Big Eau Pleine.

We recommend that BEPCO be included in the board's resolution and assist in these discussions, as a co-chair, and that there should be representatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), our Wisconsin State legislators, our U.S. Senators and Congressman and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invited. And in the future to also have included the additional Federal agencies that were involved in WVIC's re licensing process with FERC in 1996; U.S. Dept. of Interior, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. They all will be able to bring additional expertise to the issues involved.

BEPCO believes that only with a broad based coalition will the problems of the Big Eau Pleine watershed and reservoir be finally solved. The problems are well known, as we look back to 1980 and the installation of the original aerator system. There are items that can be addressed in both the short and long term.

As brought forth by the county, the situation on the Big Eau Pleine has direct negative impacts to the residents, to the county, and to the state. To say nothing of our country's view that Wisconsin has been unable or unwilling to step up and be good stewards of our environment and a protector of our natural resources.

We therefore request your assistance with our recommendations:

1 -  That BEPCO becomes a co-chair in  these discussions regarding the Big Eau Pleine, as we are closest to the problems.

2 -  BEPCO requests funding to have a Lake Management Plan for the Big Eau Pleine watershed completed.

• 3- That the County meets with BEPCO, the DNR and WVIC to discuss WVIC's

Drought Contingency Plan, and its' potential effect on the Big Eau Pleine and the section of the Wisconsin River that flows through Marathon County.

4 - That the availability of the County Land Conservation Department personnel and programs to assist the agricultural community be fully funded and expanded where necessary.

5 -  That all current laws, rules and regulations be strictly enforced.

Now the County board will go back into committee and look at BEPCO's recommendation.

Online Reporter: Colby Robertson