Fifty Three to Fifty Six: Kaufert and Lake Winnebago system

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Kaufert and Lake Winnebago system

Press Release from Dean Kaufert on MAY 14, 2007:

MADISON….. State Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) is urging the Department of Natural Resources to take immediate action to protect the Lake Winnebago system and Fox River fisheries from the deadly viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus discovered in Little Lake Butte des Morts.

“I’m glad the DNR closed down the Menasha lock to try and contain this. But until we get a handle on how widespread the virus is we need to have greater diligence,” said Kaufert. “These lakes are world-class fisheries and we need to do everything in our power to protect them.”

Kaufert is asking Governor Doyle to create a task force to consider short-term options while the severity of the virus is studied as well as review long-term plans to open all the Fox River locks to the mouth of the river in Green Bay.

“This virus adds a new dilemma to the decision to open all the Fox River locks,” said Kaufert. “If it can truly wipe-out a fishery as suspected, it would be devastating to our ecosystem and the tourism industry in which sport fishing supports.”

Kaufert, Chairman of the Assembly Tourism committee, is considering holding an informational hearing on this issue. Sport fishing is a $2.3 billion industry in Wisconsin.



Rep Kaufert at desk pic from Milwaukee JS by Michael Speers.

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