MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill opposed by environmentalists and Democrats that will ease state regulations on the pumping of water for agricultural use from high capacity wells.
Walker signed the bill privately in his Capitol office on Thursday. Under the new law, owners of high capacity wells won’t need to have their permits reviewed when they repair or sell their property.
Republicans and farmers pushed for passage of the measure. Potato farmers in the central sands region of the state rely on high-capacity wells for large-scale irrigation.
Walker has said that ensuring farmers are able to grow high-quality produce is a priority.
High-capacity wells have been around Wisconsin since the 1940s but they mushroomed in the 1990s as demands from large-scale irrigation farms grew.
Opponents say the wells deplete lakes and streams.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.