I was pleased by the leadership shown by the governor. It is unknown how many acres of wetlands were destroyed during the regulatory void. A recent count by DNR employees showed permits had been sought to fill 37 wetlands left unregulated by the federal government, many of them relatively small. Under the regulatory void, the permits were deemed unnecessary. Some of the areas have been filled.
None are in the Fox Valley.
Environmental groups and the DNR estimate that at least 1 million acres had been left without protection by the court decision. The federal agency's authority had been the trigger for DNR water quality regulations. Wetlands, including small isolated marshes, are critical for water quality, wildlife habitat and flood control. Some have higher value than others, however, and much of the debate centered on the treatment of marginal wet areas. The compromise bill allows local governments to fill or dredge small wetlands if needed to protect public safety.