Aquatic Nuisance Control Funding Vetoed in Wisconsin

From June 5, 1992 (update #13)

MADISON, Wis. - Funding for the creation of an Aquatic Nuisance Control Council and two full-time zebra mussel specialist positions within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) positions has been vetoed by Gov. Tommy Thompson. Creation of the council and the two positions was authorized in budget legislation approved in April by the Wisconsin State Legislature. In his veto message, Gov. Thompson acknowledged the need for the aquatic nuisance council to prepare a report assessing "the threat of non-native species to Wisconsin's waterways, including development of recommendations on potential cost-effective control methods." However, Thompson said, "it is premature to promulgate rules prior to the receipt of a report on this issue from DNR...Adding staff is also premature. I believe the aquatic nuisance control council should examine whether additional staffing is necessary to conduct zebra mussel control activities." The governor also requested speeding up the deadline for a report due from the council to Nov. 15 "so that the report's recommendations may be considered for inclusion in the 1993-95 budget bill.".

ID: 19920605-6.

The Zebra Mussel Update was a 4- to 8-page quarterly national newsletter published by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute from May 1990 through May 1997. The ZMU documented the spread of the zebra mussel -- an exotic nuisance mussel -- through North America's freshwater environments, especially the Great Lakes, and on efforts to control it.