March 8, 2019 at 4:21 p.m.
DNR secretary-designee visits Newbold
DNR secretary-designee visits Newbold
By Jacob Friede-
Evers and Cole will seek $278,000 annually for cost-share grants to local fire departments.
The Newbold Fire Department had recently purchased a truck with grant money from the DNR. Cole said that such aid is a bond between agencies.
"Those relationships are strong and they're strong because of the investment we make," said Cole. "Annually it's about $550,000 worth of grants that we give out to these communities. So its not cheap. With those funds we're able then to do a lot more training. Give them a lot more equipment."
Cole, a former firefighter and forester, said healthy, rural fire departments, are vital because they are often the first line of defense against forest fires.
"We can't be every place all the time so we count on those fire departments and rural communities spread around the state to be our eyes and ears and then address it. They will often tell you that they are the first ones on sight and they wind up putting out grass fires before we're there."
In addition to the grant money for fire departments, the budget proposal also seeks $165,000 annually for county forest grants, to promote sustainable forestry, and $225,000 annually to fund recommendations of the Wisconsin Forestry Practices Study.
"The governor continues to put his money where his mouth is both in terms of forest practices and also in terms of fighting fire here locally," Cole said.
Cole also spoke about healthy water. Governor Evers has declared 2019 "The Year of Drinking Water."
"What the Evers administration is attempting to do through this declaration is solve a myriad of problems throughout the state of Wisconsin around drinking water," Cole said.
"This is an opportunity for us to get it right and to continue to use what I call the Kewaunee County plan which is get everybody at the table and begin an open, honest dialogue as to the inputs of where the problems lie, where the problems are emanating from, and use a science based formula, as well as cultural practices on the land, then shape a new guidance for folks that live in those areas."
Cole said that from Milwaukee to Superior there are contaminants in Wisconsin's water from a variety of different sources, from agriculture to industry, and that he and the governor are putting their trust in science to diagnose and implement solutions to the varying water problems across the state.
"Bad water is a health concern," Cole said. "By putting five additional research scientists in the DNR budget we begin again this idea of science based decision making. Those folks will be working on water programs. We have some talented staff here. Getting science back in the game, we are all ecstatic about."
The 2019-2021 budget proposed by Evers will be finalized later in the year.
Cole had a confirmation hearing Thursday in front of the Senate sporting heritage committee, chaired by Hazelhurst republican Tom Tiffany. The Associated Press reports it's unclear if or when the committee will vote on whether to recommend the full Senate confirm Cole. Cole can serve until the Senate votes to reject his appointment.
Jacob Friede may be reached at jacob@lakelandtimes.com.
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