May 9th-DNR Hearing Factory farm

What: DNR Public Hearing concerning CAFO (Factory Farm) on the Rock Prairie.

When: Monday, May 9th, 4 PM.

Where: Rock County Fair Grounds, Craig Center Building, 1301 Craig Avenue, Janesville, WI

The Wisconsin DNR will be holding a public hearing to listen to comments from residents concerning Todd Tuls proposed dairy in the Town of Bradford just east of Janesville.

Please attend this meeting and let the DNR know what you think about these types of operations. Do your research and come prepared to speak.

Rock Environmental Network, Inc.
"When People Lead, the Leaders will Follow."

March 7, Harmony Town Board Meeting

Alert to all citizens that are concerned about center pivot irrigation from the proposed mega-dairy on the Rock Prairie:

What: The Harmony Town Board Meeting
When: Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:00PM
Where: Harmony Town Hall, 440 N Hwy 14, Janesville, Wisconsin
(same side of the road, next door to Silha & Sons Excavating).
The agenda includes: Center Pivot Manure Ordinance.

Here are a couple of info links, there are many documents on line.

Johnstown Bans Center Pivot Manure Sprayers

Pivot Irrigation Study

Rock Environmental Network, Inc.
"When People Lead, the Leaders will Follow"

Alert! Farmland Protection Update

People from across Wisconsin are voicing opposition to Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to eliminate the state's program to permanently protect farmland. We need your help to reach out to lawmakers and the governor with a simple message: Don't wreck Wisconsin's farmland protection program.

Gov. Walker's budget proposes to zero out funding for the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement program and wipe the program off the books. The American Farmland Trust and Gathering Waters Conservancy are helping to organize grass-roots supporters of farmland protection. We need your help.

Please contact your state representative and senator and urge them to reject elimination of the PACE program and to work for secure funding sources. Even if funding is temporarily limited, it makes no sense to eliminate the program! It was supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition of farmers, local officials, citizens and land trusts when it was created in 2009. Wisconsin does not want to lose this excellent opportunity for farmers and their families to protect farmland and pass their farms on to the next generation.

Initially funded with $12 million in bonding authority over two years, PACE has exceeded expectations in popularity with farmers eager to protect their valuable farmland for future generations. Seventy-six applications covering more than 18,600 acres of some of Wisconsin's best agricultural land were received during the program's first two application rounds - much more than could be protected with the initial funding for the program!

In addition to the governor's budget, bills have been introduced in the Senate and Assembly to eliminate PACE and its funding sources. Your legislators need to hear from you, and now.

A few facts that show the importance of this program:

Wisconsin was 9th in the nation in the amount of agricultural land developed from 2002-2007 and 4th in the nation in the amount of prime farmland - the very best farmland - developed during that same period. While pressure to convert farmland may have slowed in the last two years, history shows that when the economy recovers the loss of farmland will return. The Wisconsin PACE program is a vital hedge against the incessant push of growth and development over rural communities and farmlands.

Local groups across the state are organizing efforts to reach out to lawmakers, contact media and take other steps to save Wisconsin's farmland preservation program. We need you to join the rising crescendo.

For more information, go to www.wisconsinfarmland.org, or contact:

Bill Berry
American Farmland Trust/Protecting Wisconsin's Farm and Forest Lands
1973 Strongs Ave
Stevens Point WI 54481

Feb. 17 - Factory Farm

The next meeting of the Friends of Rock Prairie is scheduled for this coming Thursday evening, February 17. We will be meeting back in Janesville this time, at:

Hedberg Public Library
316 S. Main Street (by the river)
public meeting room
(ground floor, by the coffee shop)
6:30 till 8 pm

I'd like us to spend some time planning some public outreach-education events for the next month. Let me know if you have other things we should include on the agenda.

I think we should also discuss if there is a more effective way to structure our meetings. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to rotate the focus of our meetings: have one meeting devoted to information sharing - education, and the next week's meeting focused on strategy and working, and so forth. What do you think? Please come with your thoughts, and some ideas on how you want to participate.

Contact: Tom Boswell
608/882-0758
tomboswell2002@yahoo.com

Feb. 10 Meeting - Factory farm

The next meeting of Friends of Rock Prairie (yes, we have a name now!) is scheduled for this coming Thursday evening at 6:30 PM, February 10, at:

Clinton Senior Center
508 Front Street
(Corner of Hwy 140 & Front)

We are starting to gain traction: A lot of folks sent comments responding to the DNRs Environmental Analysis of the dairy proposal, and our attorney filed a strong statement. (I will attach it.) We had a good meeting with the Rock County Health Department this past Friday, and I think they could be a strong ally.

Now we need to think of ways to influence public opinion and influence the decision-makers who will either enable or prevent the CAFO from becoming reality. Come to the next meeting with your specific ideas on how we can do this! It's not sufficient to be "with us in spirit." I've never known a "spirit" to win a political battle, particularly against big money. It takes bodies and minds and determination and creativity and leadership.

Let's become a strong force for change to preserve and protect our community!

Hope to see you Thursday. Bring a neighbor or friend.

Sincerely,

Tom Boswell
608/882-0758
tomboswell2002@yahoo.com

Action Alert! - Factory Farm Meeting

Action Alert:

What: CAFO meeting (huge factory dairy just east of Janesville)
When: Wednesday, January 26th, 6:30 PM
Where: Janesville Senior Center, 69 South Water Street, Janesville

For more information on this meeting, please contact Dwight Brass, retired Environmental Engineer at janicen@ticon.net

"When People lead, the Leaders will Follow"

Dear Fellow Factory Farm Fighters:

This will be a lengthy notice because things are happening so fast, but I’ll try to mention the most important items first.

One: Date & Place of next meeting changed! We were not able to reserve the Janesville Library for next Thursday (or next Wednesday) so I reserved a meeting room at the Janesville Senior Center. We also wanted our attorney from Midwest Environmental Advocates to be present, and she cannot attend on a Thursday evening. Here’s the scoop:

Wednesday – January 26 – 6:30 – 8 pm
Janesville Senior Center
69 South Water Street

This is more “downtown” than the library, near the Court House. You can park behind their building, in the parking lot, and enter through the back door. We are meeting in the upstairs conference room. They are charging us $30 for an hour and a half, so please bring a couple bucks to help defray the cost. (We will look into other, free, alternatives to the library. I will check out local churches, which are usually free and more comfortable.)

Please bring two other people with you to the meeting. (Supporters, not those sitting on the fence.) If you can’t make the meeting, please recruit three other people to take your place!

Two: The EA is out!
Dr. Margaret Pulera alerted us Friday that the DNR has released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Tuls project. We have until February 4th at 4:30 pm to comment on it! Go to the link below to review it. There is a press release, the 20-page EA, and 12 pages of attachments.

http://www.dnr.wi.gov/org/es/science/eis/eis.htm

Three: Attorney Assistance As mentioned above, Miriam Ostrov, an attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates, a public interest law firm in Madison, will join us for the meeting. For those of you who are not already aware of this, Midwest Environmental Advocates has hired an expert to review the WPDES permit application. They can also help us:

write our own comments on the permit
help us find grants to support a water-monitoring program
assist with a PR campaign against the cow factory.

I also had a conversation Friday with Peter McKeever, an attorney with Ed Garvey’s firm in Madison. They assist community groups around the state on environmental issues and have worked on the Magnolia Township factory farm case. (Peter used to be the State Director for The Nature Conservancy.)

Peter stressed that the nutrient management plan for the dairy is a crucial issue to focus on. We need to find experts to assist us with issues like: the nature of soils on the Rock Prairie, characteristics of the groundwater table, and proximity to wetlands and other water. We should learn all we can about the potential impact on streams in the area. Here is a link Peter sent to a new report on “Management practices to mitigate hazardous animal emissions.”

http://dnr.wi.gov/air/agWasteBMPs.html


Four: Outside experts knocking on our door
Karen Hudson, a national leader in the fight against CAFOs, also contacted us Friday. Karen lives near Peoria, with two CAFOs in her backyard. (Not literally.) She leads a number of groups, including the Socially Responsible Agricultural Project and Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water. Her and her cohorts can connect us with other experts and they have money to travel – to come consult with us, speak at public events, etc. John Ikerd, the agricultural economist and factory farm expert from Missouri, is on their board of directors. We are going to be arranging a conference call with them.

We also have the women who came to our last meeting, fighting the factory farm in Galena, to consult with us.

Five: Leadership teams As you can see, we now have plenty of help, but we need to take the lead to win this battle for self-determination! It is up to each of us. We made a great start at our last meeting. Attached is the list of all those who signed up for the Steering Committee or one of the three teams. Please look this over and let me know if I missed anyone. Let me know if you were not at the last meeting and want to volunteer for one of these teams.

It is not too soon to get started. It would be best if one of you from each team can take the initiative and contact the others and arrange a time to meet, either in person or by phone. If not, you can choose a time to meet on Wednesday evening.

I’d like to suggest that the Steering Committee meet at 5:30 pm Wednesday at the Senior Center. If this is not possible, please let me know and we can make other arrangements.

Six: How about a name?
I’d also like to suggest we choose a name for our group. Please note I’m not suggesting we incorporate, write by-laws, elect officers, hire a lobbyist, etc. But I do think we need a name. If nothing else, it will make it easier to reserve a room for a meeting if we are an actual entity.

My suggestion is we call ourselves: Citizens for _____ ________ __________. You fill in the blanks. (It’s always best to say we’re for something rather than against.) How about if you email your ideas in and/or bring them to the meeting? We can have a quick election, and keep the name as long as we feel it still suits us.

Seven: Public Action
The last thing I want to mention is that I feel we need to take some public action in the near future. This could be any number of things – meetings with public agencies or public officials, a large public event where we explain our position and gain support, etc. The idea is to get public visibility, focus the issue, and energize people.

One thought is to ask John Ikerd to come speak in Janesville. He will be in Rockford on March 28, and I think in Peoria about the same time. We could also have Karen Hudson and/or others make a public presentation. Karen mentioned two books they have been involved in producing – Animal Factory and CAFO Reader – that we could utilize. (This event should be a fundraiser too.)

Of course, we need to take some action before March 28. We must spend some time strategizing about meetings with public officials. Why not meetings in the next three weeks with the DNR, County Board members/committees, the county conservationist, and the Rock County Health Department? The latter three are potential allies, and we will need allies. Remember, we can accomplish some things as individuals, but we will be much more powerful as a group.

With all this in mind, I will attach a suggested agenda for the next meeting, which the Steering Committee can refine.

One more thing: Please consider writing a letter to the editor, and ask your friends and neighbors to do the same. There is the Janesville Gazette, Beloit Daily News, and Clinton Topper, depending on where you live. There may be other small weekly papers I’m not aware of. It’s best to focus on one specific aspect of the broader issue: water, clean air, property values, public health, economic issues, etc. Pick the one you feel most strongly about.

Don’t do what I did and try to cover everything in one piece. I wrote a 1,200- word piece and asked the Gazette to publish it as a guest editorial. They wanted me to chop it down to 500 words. (No exceptions!) I took many attempts at editing it down, and did a lot of haggling with the editor. I pared it down to about 600 words and gave up. There didn’t seem to be much left of my original argument! I will attach the original piece in case you might like to read it.

Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Sincerely,

Tom Boswell

Mega-Dairy Meeting At Hedberg Library

In case you may have missed the meeting last week, there is another this Thursday.

Where: Hedberg Library
316 S. Main St., Janesville, WI

When: Thursday, January 20, 2011
Beginning at 6:30 PM
The meeting will run for one hour.

The meeting will be hosted by Dwight S. Brass. Mr. Brass holds a degree in engineering as well as an MBA. His work has included two distinct areas, environmental engineering (Illinois EPA), and business (U of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Financial analyst). As a life-long "environmentalist", he has a strong interest in projects that have the potential to wreak havoc on the environment.

In addition, he is interested in our economy, that desperately needs jobs. A mega-dairy such as this 5,000 cow facility, is likely to be more "efficient", which means fewer jobs for a given amount of milk produced. Since we don't necessarily have a shortage of milk (we actually have a glut), this additional production capacity will force other dairies, likely smaller family farm operations, out of business. The Nebraskan indicated that he may buy the needed dairy cows in Wisconsin. This could be from family dairy farms forced out of business.

Wisconsin' s Enviro Hangs In The Balance

Four Lakes Sierrans,

THIS IS A CALL FOR ALL HANDS ON DECK.

(If you don't need background or convincing, just go to WHAT YOU CAN DO
below.)

If you care about Wisconsin's environment, your health and that of other citizens of Wisconsin, and whether your children and grand children will have a healthy planet and sustainable future, then your assistance is needed NOW. The next three weeks until the election cannot be business as usual.

Big money interests (often out-of-state) have co-opt the airwaves to convince you that solid candidates who support environmental protections and the health of our citizens are the enemy, and bad for the economy. These same corporate interests stopped a bill that would have provided Wisconsin with a strong clean energy future, kept more money in Wisconsin's economy, and created more good jobs here.

It was the same interests that stopped Wisconsin from creating statewide regional transit authorities and allowing local communities to work together to create good transit options and reduce pollution and the overall costs of transportation. These same interests are now distorting the truth about high-speed rail in Wisconsin and regional transit in Dane County.

These same interests also support corporate animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that threaten our clean drinking water and the future of agriculture in Wisconsin. Don't we already have enough mercury in our waters that our fish aren't safe to eat, and we've had to enact phosphorus bans to protect our lakes for people to swim in and aquatic life to survive? Isn't our groundwater, as well as lakes and streams, polluted enough from other sources?

The effects of climate change are already being felt with melting polar ice caps, record temperatures, and dramatic floods, and climate scientists are telling us we have perhaps a decade to start implementing real change. That means we must elect legislators who get it, who will look out for citizens and the health of our planet and environment NOW.


WHAT YOU CAN DO

The next three weeks cannot be business as usual. We need your support to elect candidates who will make a difference and uphold the same values you joined the Sierra Club to support. An indication of how critical this is, is that the Sierra Club has sent a national staff person here to support this work, and that so many of our leaders are volunteering considerable time to assist this effort. You also will shortly be receiving a scorecard of the candidates we are endorsing in national and state races. Information is also available on line at
http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/political/Endorsements.htm and on Facebook
at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sierra-Club-Wisconsin/102052479832488?ref=ts .

Now we need you. You can:

1. Contact Rachel Ackoff at Rachel.Ackoff@Sierraclub.org or our John Muir office in Madison at 608-256-0565 to volunteer your services or ask how you can help with national and statewide races. We're doing phone banking and will be doing canvassing and literature drops. (There just might be some free pizza in it as well!)
2. Contact Dave Blouin at burroak15@charter.net, or Don Ferber at d_ferber@sbcglobal.net to ask about local and regional candidates who need support.
3. Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter, in addition to talking to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and anyone else you know.
4. Contact you candidates' election offices to find out what support they need.
5. Write letters to the editor in support of our candidates.
6. VOTE EARLY, OR MAKE SURE YOU AND ALL OTHER SUPPORTERS VOTE ON
NOVEMBER 2! Remember, our power is our grass roots - YOU!


Thank you for your support of the Sierra Club and of candidates who will help ensure a safe and healthy future for Wisconsin's environment and citizens.

To adjust your Sierra Club email preferences, please reply to this email with a description of your wishes. Thank you.
Sierra Club 85 Second St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105

Rock River Clean-up Effort

“Janesville Pride” has been a long standing motto here in River City. Those sentiments are still here and we all feel it-we all believe it. We would like to introduce an effort where our Janesville Pride can proudly be displayed again! Join us on July 31, 2010 as we show our pride by participating in the Rock River Sweep program where we all pitch in and clean-up areas along the Rock River. This participation will only ask for 3 hours of effort between 8:30 and 11:30 AM on Saturday, July 31.

Our local effort is called “Rock’n’Janesville” and we propose to clean-up both sides of the Rock River, from the south end of Janesville to the north end, and then also extending to Indianford. Local sponsors include Stateline Recycling, Harborfest Aquatics, The Tool House, Inc., and the City of Janesville. Additionally, our local effort is also supported by American Rivers and the Rock River Sweep organizations.

As co-directors, Dave Peterson and Dave Wirth will be heading this important annual project. The primary goal for 2010 is to raise the awareness of why cleaning up the Rock River is of paramount importance. We believe that since the Rock River was the natural focal point of a young Janesville it should come back full-circle and become the focal point again for the years to come. An attractive and beautiful river and riverfront can only enhance prospects of bringing people and business to our city.

To this end, we are initiating this clean-up effort this year by asking that service groups take ownership of a section of the river to clean-up. The requested area of the river can be large or small but it can become yours to clean. That’s the Janesville Pride we referred to earlier. Also, for individual civic leaders who want to help we will assemble a pool of people who can be assigned to assist volunteer service groups. As a service to you we would also be happy to present to your group a 10 minute show with images and information concerning this Rock’n’Janesville Project.

If you are interested and would like more information please join us, Dave Peterson and Dave Wirth, representing the Rock’n’Janesville Group for the July 31, 2010 Rock River Sweep Program, at 7 PM on July 6, 2010 at M&I Bank at 100 North Main Street. (Use the Parker Drive entrance to the bank.) In the meantime, please contact us at 608-290-8809 or 608-774-0141 for more information.

You can also find us on Facebook

Thank you for considering being involved in this important activity for the Janesville and Rock River area! Rock’n’Janesville has Janesville Pride!

Legislative Alert! - Working Lands Initiative

Protect Wisconsin’s popular Working Lands Initiative

Please contact your legislators now: Ask them to resist last-minute efforts to weaken farmland protection.

Local interest is high in new tools like purchase of agricultural conservation easements and agricultural enterprise areas. But the Wisconsin Realtors Association is behind bills (SB-576 and AB 863) that would weaken these tools by repealing or delaying the conversion fee on lands removed from farmland preservation zoning districts. A last-minute vote on this bill may be sought in the remaining days of this legislative session.

It’s important that we act now. Please tell your legislators to “Stand Tall for Farmland Preservation” and resist this effort to weaken Wisconsin’s Working Lands Initiative. Contact information for legislators is below. Here are some talking points:

The conversion fee is an important part of the Working Lands Initiative. It supports many aspects of the program, including:
· Agricultural Enterprise Areas
· Grants to counties to update farmland plans
· Agricultural conservation easements

Facts about the conversion fee:
· The conversion fee increases the value of land for agriculture by reducing potential land use conflicts and providing security for farmers looking to locate or expand their farm operations. The cost of the conversion fee will most likely be passed on to the person developing the land or buying a house in prime farmland. Isn’t this appropriate?
· The fee applies only to land rezoned out of farmland preservation zoning districts.
· Farmers with existing farmland preservation agreements are not subject to the conversion fee for removing land from the agreement.
· The conversion fee is not new. It has always been a part of Wisconsin’s farmland preservation programs.
Here’s what authentic rural voices are saying about this issue:
Farmer and Working Lands Steering Committee Chair Dan Poulson explains importance of conversion fee.
Farmer Bob Uphoff comments on conversion fee.
Contact your legislators and tell them to “Stand Tall for Farmland Preservation.”
Call your State Senator and Assembly representative on the legislative hotline at 1-800-362-9472. If you need help finding your legislator, go to:
http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx.

Remember: Personal contacts are best.
For more information, contact:
Bill Berry
American Farmland Trust’s Campaign for Wisconsin’s Farm and Forest Lands
1973 Strongs Ave.
Stevens Point WI 54481
715 341 9119
715 321 0589 (cell)
billlnick@charter.net

Bob Wagner
Senior Director Farmland Protection Programs
American Farmland Trust
413-586-9330 Ext. 12
bwagner@farmland.org

Assault On Working Lands Initiative

Forwarded from Rock Environmental Network

Legislative Alert!

We need your help: Please act now. The Working Lands Initiative we worked to pass is under assault.

Contact your legislators and tell them to "Stand Tall for Farmland Preservation" and say no to SB-576.

The Wisconsin Realtors Association is leading efforts to repeal or delay the conversion fee on lands removed from farmland preservation zoning districts.

A bill (SB-576) to do this has been introduced in the Senate and Assembly. Realtors are flooding capitol offices with calls supporting the bill.

Your legislators need to hear the truth from you. Contact information is below. Here are some talking points:

The conversion fee is an important part of the popular Working Lands Initiative. It supports many aspects of the program, including:

. Agricultural Enterprise Areas

. Grants to counties to update farmland plans

. Agricultural conservation easements

Facts about the conversion fee:

. The conversion fee increases the value of land for agriculture by reducing potential land use conflicts and providing security for farmers looking to locate or expand their farm operations. The cost of the conversion fee will most likely be passed on to the person developing the land or buying a house in prime farmland. Isn't this appropriate?

. The fee applies only to land rezoned out of farmland preservation
zoning districts.

. Farmers with existing farmland preservation agreements are not
subject to the conversion fee for removing land from the agreement.

Contact your legislators and tell them to "Stand Tall for Farmland
Preservation" and say no to SB-576.

Call your State Senator and Assembly representative on the legislative
hotline at 1-800-362-9472. If you need help finding your legislator, go to:

Find your legislator. You can also email your legislator. See the list at the bottom of this message. Remember: Personal contacts are best.

Thank you!

For more information, contact:

Bill Berry
Bob Wagner

American Farmland Trust's
Senior Policy and Program Advisor

Campaign for Wisconsin's Farm and Forest Lands

1973 Strongs Ave.
American Farmland Trust

Stevens Point WI 54481
413-586-9330 Ext. 12

715 341 9119
bwagner@farmland.org

715 321 0589 (cell)

billlnick@charter.net

Wisconsin’s Inconvenient Truth

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Environmental Café

What could be better than a vanilla latte, pumpkin scone and an educational chat about environmental issues affecting our lives? Ok, maybe not the info about the environment – life for many is depressing enough right now without adding horror stories of airborne toxins, chemicals in your shampoo, and urban sprawl.

We heard about a “Science Café” - A Science café is a live event in a casual setting like a pub or coffeehouse. An actual Scientist makes a brief presentation about a current scientific topic, and then a group discussion takes place, allowing all in attendance to get involved, to learn, and most importantly, to talk with your mouth full. (really, that is from sciencecafe.org ‘s website) These events are popular in large cities, allowing anyone to attend, grab a brew, learn about the latest issues, chat with knowledgeable professionals, meet new friends, and speak your mind on interesting topics. There is much to discuss, so why not do so with some like-minded people, over a great cup of coffee and a muffin? PS. Bring your own cup.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
7:00-8:30 PM

Hedberg Public Library - Program Room
(upstairs near the Children’s Library)

Guest Speaker: Ryan Schryver
of Clean Wisconsin, Madison

A 30-minute open discussion about our changing global and local climate follows a 60 minute presentation. Sponsored by Rock Environmental Network. Bring a mug and stop on your way in for a fill-up at The Ground Floor coffee shop on the library's lower level.

For more info, email: rockenvironmentalnetwork@charter.net

Environmental Cafe

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When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 6-7:30 PM
Where: Java Joys, 1009 North Washington Street, Janesville, WI (across from Mercy Mall, at the top of the Memorial Bridge)

Topic of Discussion: Janesville City Sanitary Landfill Operations Overview
Guest Speaker: John Whitcomb, City of Janesville Operations Director

Please attend our second Environmental Cafe - an informal discussion about environmental topics - with a cup of coffee or beverage. Held once monthly on different environmental topics - these discussions are open to the public, and encourage ideas and networking.

Arrive early to get yourself a beverage - at last month's meeting, the Library was kind enough to provide refreshments, however, we are also trying to promote local business during these meetings. So bring some cash, support a locally owned coffee house, and meet some new friends, and join in the discussion on this very interesting topic!

Rock Environmental Network

PS - Bring your own cup!

"When People Lead, the Leaders Will Follow"

REN Action Alert

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What: Janesville City Council meeting
Where: Municipal Building, 18 N Jackson, Janesville
When: 7 PM Monday, April 27th

View the Council's agenda materials here.
Make recommendations to the Council by emailing: citycouncil@ci.janesville.wi.us

Items of concern/questions with tomorrow evenings agenda items:
Pages 58-65 of the full agenda packet

From an email sent to the City Council:

Concerning the "unacceptable water pressure fluctuations" on the NE side of town, requiring a 7.1 Million dollar new water tower... "Independent engineering firms evaluating this problem conclude that additional water storage is presently needed on the City's east side to support existing demands placed on the water distribution system. This will reduce the magnitude of pressure drops during high water demand situations..."

In the agenda is also a request to raise our water rates (by 14.75%), due to a substantial drop in water use due to the closing of GM. If we have lost so much water usage, by losing GM, then why do we need to build a new water tower?

Were the studies sited in the memorandum conducted before, or after GM closed?

Upgrading our pumping system is a route to investigate, before asking the residents of the City to pay 7.1 Million dollars for a water tower, that will also help facilitate the growth of our City into the fertile farmlands on the NE side of town. The increased revenue from higher water bills of $881,361 as outlined in the agenda, could pay for the additional pumping equipment needed to correct this situation, without the land and expense of a water tower.

With an expense of this magnitude, perhaps further investigation could be required by our Council - mainly, gathering specific information from residents that live in the "affected" area of town. In other words, how "unacceptable" is the current situation? Also, with an expense like this - Council should require more citizen input - and delay a decision on this agenda item, until further information and options, if any can be gathered.

The City manager is requesting to apply for a low interest loan for this project, providing interim financing for the "proposed" Water Utility improvements. (see agenda) If we have not yet made a decision on this project, then why would we apply for, and pay interest on a loan? The City should outline information on stimulus funding options prior to a decision.

The Analysis section of the memorandum to Council, needs clarification also. This states that the north pressure zone serves 30,000 people - and includes 17,900 people between the Rock River and the interstate. Council needs further and more detailed information on our water pumping stations - including detailed maps indicating pumping stations, etc. so an educated decision can be made in the best interests of the residents.

The water pressure in the NE area is stated to have been affected 1-3 times in the past 5 years. The examples provided - that residents experienced low water pressure up to 3 times in 5 years, does not call for a 7M expense to taxpayers - especially in the economic state of our City. Residents residing in the red dot areas on the provided map, could be serviced adequately with upgrades to our pumping system - and not an entirely new water tower.

A public study session or open forum should be held by Council before making a decision on this resolution, and delayed until such time, that federal funding options are revealed to residents. The memo also states that this is a "critical situation" - however, this is the first time this issue has surfaced as critical - in searching the Gazette's archives - there are no stories or incidents relating to a critical loss of water pressure.

Concerning the purchase of a new scale for the landfill:

The cost on the accepted bid is $76,602, but the note issue is stated as $90,000. What will the 13,398.00 be used for?

ALSO - in the financial statements from Comptroller Patty Lynch, there is a 300K negative balance in our phase 2 landfill construction account - which will be paid with a general obligation note issue. I would request that Council obtain a complete profit/loss statement from our garbage and recycling operations - so that outside haulers and industrial dumpers, pay fair and equitable costs for landfilling. $21.80 per ton of trash will never cover the costs to clean up the garbage that is being dumped in our landfill. http://www.wasteresources.wi.gov/

With an estimated 40 years left at the current site (according to John Whitcomb, operations director) - the Council must act aggressively to preserve this area by reducing garbage to our landfill (which can be achieved by raising tipping fees) aggressively requiring businessses to reduce, reuse and enforce recycling laws, and limit garbage to that which is generated in Rock County.

Other options include banning e-waste, creating re-use areas at the landfill drop zone for building materials, and other items that could be reused, and REQUIRING IDENTIFICATION at the dump hut - and requiring those outside of the City to pay for dumping in our landfill. The residents of the City of Janesville are being asked to fund and eventually clean up our landfill, yet many are allowed to dump, without being required to show proof of residency, or pay a fee.

Environmental Cafe

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What: ENVIRONMENTAL CAFE' (an informal chat with friends on environmental issues, that feature a keynote speaker, & lots of interesting discussion)

When: April 22nd, 2009 EARTH DAY!

6-7:30 PM - please arrive early to get a cup-a-joe and support a local business!

Where: Mocha Moments, Center Ave, Janesville - just south of the VFW

Topic of Discussion: This month's EC will feature Beloit CSA Farmers Denny & Susan Wright of Wrightway Farms!

They will be presenting information on CSA Farming (how you can join one)
Organic Gardening, and tips to prepare your spring garden for planting!

Action Alert - Rock Environmental Network

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When: Thursday, February 26, 2009. 6:00 PM

What: Rock County Board of Supervisors Meeting to decide on how to split 1.8M that the County will receive in 2009 from American Transmission Company (ATC) for allowing high power lines to cross our county.

Where: Rock County Courthouse, Janesville, Room 4R (4th floor, through security)

Background: In November of 2008, The County board chose to set aside for parks and conservation projects, a $1.8 million, one-time payment from the American Transmission Co. Struggling over the money are the land conservation committee and the parks committee. They met jointly on Jan. 19 but were unable to write a resolution to split the money.

Here's what they are asking for, according to committee documents:

Land conservation

The land conservation committee Feb. 4 approved a resolution to split the money in half. The committee wants to spend the money in three places:
-- $740,000 for a purchase of development rights program (PDR); to protect working lands. County planning officials are interested in developing a program that protects farmland while letting farmers get money for their property, and keep them from feeling forced to sell to developers. The money will be separated into two sub-categories, staff/support, ($290,000) and reserve for grant match, ($450,000) (There are state and federal grants available for these programs, however, you have to have money to get the grants, allowing this money to actually apply for additional funds.) This money could be a "one time shot" to get the program started, committee member Robert Fizzell of Beloit said at the Jan. 19 meeting.
-- $150,000 for a continuous hazardous waste clean sweep program. That's how much it would cost to turn the county's temporary hazardous waste collection program into an annual one, according to the committee's executive summary. The money would last seven to 10 years, depending on state grants. No additional staffing would be necessary.
-- $10,000 to restore county-owned property on the county campus along Highway 51. The idle property has been taken over by invasive specie. The money would be used to remove trees and stumps and buy prairie grass seeds and new trees, and restore an area to the original old oak savanna.

Parks

The parks committee Feb. 10 approved a resolution to allocate $250,000 to land conservation and the rest—$1.56 million—to parks.
The county is poised to approve a five-year parks, outdoor recreation and open space plan, said Kurt Yankee, chairman of the parks committee.
That plan includes $15 million in possible projects. They might not all happen, but the county can't ask for matching grants if it doesn't list projects, according to the committee's executive summary.
The projects include:
-- $825,000 for Carver-Roehl Park. Most of that—$775,000—would be added to the $75,000 already budgeted to fix the culvert at the park entrance to reduce flooding.
-- $350,000 for Gibbs Lake Park. The money would improve trails, buy land and improve shelters and restrooms.
-- $260,000 for Happy Hollow Park. The money would improve trails, shelters and erosion control.
-- $450,000 to Magnolia Bluff Park. The money would go to improve trails, buy land, build shelters and control erosion.
The summary plans for invasive species control at all four parks.

OUR VIEWS: ATC Money has been allocated to Parks AND Conservation. While park projects are definitely in need of funding, the Conservation committee is no less deserving. Parklands are already included on our maps, and are in no danger of being lost to development. A farmland/working lands protection protection program is desperately needed to protect the richest farmland on earth from development, and splitting the money, 50/50 between parks and conservation, is the only fair option.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?: Be at the meeting and either register to speak and voice your opinion to the County Board, or if you agree with splitting the money and do not want to speak, stand in favor of a 50/50 split when asked to do so. Either way, this money belongs to the residents of Rock County.

If you can't attend the meeting, email your concerns to the County Board of Supervisors at webmaster@co.rock.wi.us

Information supplied by Rock Environmental Network

Workshop: Protect Working Lands

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

What: Workshop to Protect Working Lands
When: February 4, 2009, 9-3
Registration due by January 26th, 2009 ($10.00 fee, includes lunch)
Where: Pontiac Convention Center

Attached is an invitation for the upcoming Workshop to Protect Working Lands in Rock County!

Please pass this on to other interested parties, and consider attending, even if you aren't a rural land owner. Learning opportunity for everyone - how Agriculture benefits Rock County.

by Rock Environmental Network, Inc.
"When people lead, the leaders will follow."

The Environmental Cafe

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What: Environmental Cafe
When: February 3, 2009, 6 PM
Where: Hedberg Public Library Program Room (upstairs near the Children's Library)

Topic of Discussion: Recycling and related discussion
Guest Speaker: Percy Mather, DNR South Central Region (11 southwestern counties west of Dodge, Jefferson & Rock)
Recycling and Waste Management Specialist

Please attend our first Environmental Cafe - an informal discussion about environmental topics - with a cup of coffee or beverage. Held once monthly on different environmental topics - these discussions are open to the public, and encourage ideas and networking.

by Rock Environmental Network, Inc.
"When people lead, the leaders will follow."

Rock Environmental Alert

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From: Rock Environmental Network


Janesville residents, your attention please!

CONCERNING:
1. File Resolution 2008-500 Authorizing over 15 million dollars in Spending (general obligation notes)
AND
2. Council Policy Statement #81, Presentation and Action on a proposed Sustainable Janesville Committee
and File Resolution 2008-508, Action on a proposed resolution adopting eco-municipality guidelines for sustainable practices.

When: Tuesday, May 27th, 2008, 7:00 PM

Where: City Council Chambers, 18 N Jackson St, Janesville, 4th Floor

For What:

1. File Resolution 2008-500 - 15,245,000.00 in general obligation promissory notes
Administration outlines the spending proposal, item by item in the Council's full agenda packet, available on line at Janesville City Website - left side of the screen, click "Council Agenda",then "Click here to access the Council Meeting agenda...) then "agenda packet", then "2008" and May 27, then "full agenda packet." The Project descriptions start on page 75 of the full packet. The Council will have the opportunity to remove items, or table them for a later date, but will not be able to add items at this time.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Review the spending proposal and contact your Council Members if there are items in the proposal that you want deleted or tabled until a later date. Specific items include 1.4 M for the Youth Sports Facility, 3M for a new East side water reservoir, among others. Take the time to read this packet, as you will be paying for these items unless you contact your Council.

2. Sustainable Janesville Committee "Green" and Adoption of eco-municipality guidelines for sustainable practices
Both of these agenda items are huge successes for our local efforts to clean up our local environment, and bring environmental issues to the spotlight! Your presence at the Council Meeting to support both of these programs will prove to Administration that residents are interested in working towards a cleaner Janesville!

RECOMMENDATIONS: Yes & yes to both items! Since Administration is not naming citizens to the Sustainability Committee, you may want to offer to serve on this committee.

What you can do at the meeting: Upon entering the City Council Chambers, to speak, sign up on the register to the right when entering, under new business (for items #2 on this email), or under old business, for item 1, and include your name and address. When called, you will go to the podium. Be sure to have your notes written down, so you don't forget what you want to say. State your name and address for the record, and address the Council. Make your statements and thank the Council. They appreciate Citizens that get to the point, as there will be many wishing to speak. You may choose to simply say, "I agree with the comments made by --------."

If you are unable to attend, please email your Council Members to voice your opinion on these issues. citycouncil@ci.janesville.wi.us

Access the City Council's agenda packet at Janesville City Website and review the materials.

"When people lead, the leaders will follow." Thank you for support, and please pass this email on to other concerned citizens.

ROCK ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

Rock Environmental Network (should be up again next week, thanks for your patience)