STATE OF WISCONSIN
JIM DOYLE
GOVERNOR
State Capitol Room 115 East, Madison, Wisconsin 53702 • (608) 266-1212
• FAX (608) 267-8983 • [email protected]
Friday, July 10, 2009
Contact: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

 

SUPERIOR – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law two bills to
protect, improve, and preserve
Wisconsin’s natural resources. At a signing ceremony at Totogatic
County Park, Governor Doyle
signed Assembly Bill 43, designating the free-flowing reaches of the
Totogatic River a State Wild River.

“By adding the Totogatic to our Wild River program, we are ensuring
that the natural beauty and unique recreation value of the river is
protected, preserved and improved for generations to come,” Governor
Doyle said. “In this state, our natural resources are not just a part
of our landscape, they’re a part of who we are.”

The Totogatic River flows for 70 miles through five counties. Under
the new designation:

Natural obstructions can be removed in the uppermost reach to maintain
steady water levels
and protect wild rice growth on Totogatic Lake.

Private parcel owners that presently have small docks can keep them,
but no new docks can be
added along the designated reaches.

The present forestry and recreational crossings can be kept, but new
bridges and culverts,
cannot be added except as allowed public roads in the administrative
code.

The Totogatic qualified for the designation because of sparse
development, wild shorelines, forested banks, few road crossing,
superb water quality, and healthy and diverse aquatic life.

Governor Doyle also announced more than $22,000 in River Protection
Grant funding to Washburn
County to further protect the Totogatic River. Washburn County along
with local conservation groups were instrumental in the early stages
of having the Totogatic recognized a Wild River.

Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Nick Milroy, Ann Hraychuck, and
Mary Hubler, and
Senators Bob Jauch and Julie Lassa for their leadership in passing
Assembly Bill 43 with broad,
bipartisan support.

Governor Doyle also signed Senate Bill 12, which establishes a
slow-no-wake restriction for all
motorboats that are not personal watercraft, when operating within 100
feet of the shoreline of all
lakes. Previously, motorboats could not operate at greater than
slow-no-wake speed within 100 feet
of a dock, raft, or pier.

Wisconsin residents will benefit from the slow-no-wake buffer by
providing protection for people using the near shore areas of our
lakes, including children who swim and play near shore, and fishermen,
kayakers, canoeists and others who use the waters near shore. This
bill also reduces noise pollution in near shore areas.

Lakes in Wisconsin will benefit by protecting animals and plants that
rely on the near shore areas. It will also reduce erosion of our
shorelines. The bill goes into effect Spring 2010. Governor Doyle
thanked Senators Jauch and Jim Holperin and Representatives Gary
Sherman and Terese Berceau for their leadership.