I have approved
Assembly Bill 926 as
2003 Wisconsin Act 310 and have deposited it in the Office of the Secretary of State. I have exercised the partial veto in Section 7, as it relates to s.
281.34 (1)(b) and
(4)(a)intro.
Assembly Bill 926 establishes a comprehensive system for the regulation of high capacity wells and groundwater quantity in the state. This bill will result in vital protections for our state's groundwater resources and reflects the hard work and dedication of the Legislature and individuals representing agriculture, the environment, municipalities and business. The thoroughness of this bill and the consensus that affected interests have achieved should be models for future accomplishments in state government.
I have exercised the partial veto in Section 7, as it relates to s.
281.34 (1)(b), because I object to the potential confusion that could be created by including rate of withdrawal in the definition of high capacity well. The bill defines a "high capacity well" as a well that has a capacity and rate of withdrawal of more than 100,000 gallons per day. Unfortunately, the bill does not define "rate of withdrawal." Because pumping from many high capacity wells varies over time, the term "rate of withdrawal" could be interpreted to refer to the instantaneous rate or to the rate averaged over weeks, months or years. The partial veto is intended to clarify this definition and, as a result, "high capacity well" will mean a well with a capacity of more than 100,000 gallons per day.
I have exercised the partial veto in Section 7, as it relates to s.
281.34 (4)(a)intro., because I object to the potential unintended impact that this language could have on other Wisconsin Environmental Protection Act (WEPA) determinations made by the Department of Natural Resources that do not involve high capacity wells. The partial veto clarifies and limits this review to high capacity well applications only. Further clarifications of the use of the WEPA review process will be made as part of the administrative rule making authorized as part of the legislation.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doyle
Governor
__________________
Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
Madison
To Whom It May Concern:
Acts, Joint Resolutions and Resolutions deposited in this office have been numbered and published as follows:
Bill Number Act Number Publication Date
Assembly Bill 195288May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 209289May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 554290May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 628291May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 709292May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 730293May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 755294May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 925295May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 932296May 4, 2004
Assembly Bill 306306May 6, 2004
Assembly Bill 728307May 6, 2004
Assembly Bill 732308May 6, 2004
AB 926 (in part)310May 6, 2004
Assembly Bill 396316April 26, 2004
Sincerely,
Douglas La Follette
Secretary of State
