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Confusion over high-capacity wells

High capacity wells have become a high priority for the Wisconsin State Legislature. Last Tuesday a coalition of agriculture, manufacturing and financial groups delivered a memo to the legislature calling for clarification of the permitting process. On Wednesday the Senate Ag Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 239 which would eliminate the need for DNR approval when an owner repairs, replaces or transfers ownership of an existing high capacity well. The bill requires only that an owner notify the DNR of any action.

Opponents say the change would violate Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine which deems the state’s lakes and rivers are public resources which belong to everyone.

On Thursday, Senator Rob Cowles of Green Bay introduced a bill which would have the DNR seek stricter permit restrictions from the Legislature if it determines a high capacity well could deplete streams or lakes to the point of killing aquatic life and impeding navigation.

Republican lawmakers have been looking to overhaul the state’s high cap well regulations ever since an administrative judge ruled the DNR must consider the cumulative affect a well has on groundwater.