Democrats seek compromise by proposing bill to extend popular Knowles-Nelson program
A poll earlier this year found that 93 percent of Wisconsinites support Knowles-Nelson, which has funded more than 10,000 projects in all 72 Wisconsin counties and is estimated to have helped protect more than 750,000 acres of land.
With political partisanship and rancor now threatening even popular and once-bipartisan programs, the Democrats in the State Senate have put forth a bill to save the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which has served as a cornerstone of the state’s conservation efforts for nearly four decades.
Knowles-Nelson uses grants issued through general obligation bonds for water protection, habitat restoration and outdoor recreation projects. This includes many city, county and state parks.
The grants for any project must be matched dollar for dollar by the local governments or non-profits who requested the grant.
With Republicans scrapping Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal to reauthorize the program for 10 years and to provide $100 million per year to fund it, Knowles-Nelson is set to expire next year.
The Democrats’ bill (AB-315/SB-316) seeks compromise with Republicans, who have expressed concern about the program, by extending it for only six years at $72 million per year and by providing an independent board to oversee and approve any land acquisition projects that exceed $2.5 million.
Republicans think the program needs more oversight and seek legislative approval for any acquisitions of $1 million or more, a proposal Democrats say would create dangerous delays in conservation projects and hamstring the entire program. The Supreme Court last year ruled that the Joint Finance Committee has no authority to halt Knowles-Nelson projects.
Both parties historically have embraced the program since its inception in 1989 by Republican Governor Tommy Thompson and a majority-Democrat legislature. A poll earlier this year found that 93 percent of Wisconsinites support Knowles-Nelson, which has funded more than 10,000 projects in all 72 Wisconsin counties and is estimated to have helped protect more than 750,000 acres of land.
"Since my first term I have been fighting against Republican efforts to defund or delete Knowles Nelson Stewardship projects," said State Rep. Lee Snodgrass. "Whether Appleton's Lawe Street Trestle Trail or the Arrowhead Park boardwalk in Grand Chute, our area has benefited tremendously from the stewardship dollars these grants provide."
Nearly every Wisconsinite is said to live within five miles of a Knowles-Nelson project, which contributes to its enormous popularity. Furthermore, 20 million people visit Wisconsin state parks each year.
“I hear from communities nearly daily on the importance of this program and the value it adds to our communities, our hunting and fishing heritage and our tourism economy,” said Sen. Kris Dassler-Alfheim. Every Democrat in both the Assembly and the Senate signed on to the Democratic proposal by Rep. Vincent Miresse. “What we put forth today is a reasonable and intentional proposal based on what our state can afford and what supporters have told us they want. We must pass a bill to ensure continued access to public lands, and we hope that Republicans will join us to have a thorough and rational discussion to get something passed.”
Republicans offering significantly less funding
Republicans have countered with an offer of just a little over $28 million per year for the program.
Among the projects Knowles-Nelson has undertaken since 1989 are land and easement acquisitions for conservation; development and maintenance of trails, parks, campgrounds and boat launches; and financial support for local governments and non-profits in their own conservation and recreation efforts.
"Popular with Democrats and Republicans alike, we need to ensure that our state continues to invest in the preservation and improvement of natural spaces, trail infrastructure and protections for the spaces Wisconsinites enjoy for hunting, fishing, recreating and simply resting in nature," Snodgrass said.
In the Fox Cities, such well visited sites as Heckrodt Nature Center in Menasha, Steiger Park in Oshkosh and Herziger Conservancy Park in Neenah were made possible through Knowles-Nelson grants. In 2021 the program helped fund the Lawe Street Trestle Bridge and two years later Arrowhead Park in Grand Chute.
The independent bi-partisan board proposed in the Democrat bill would be filled by a wide swath of public interests, including those from the DNR, the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Tourism, as well as representatives from Native American tribes, environmental groups, the hunting and fishing industry, local governments and from the general public.
Despite the impasse there is some reason for hope of compromise. Republican Rep. Tony Kurtz, who authorized the Republican counterproposal asking for only $28 million and a four-year renewal requirement, told the Wisconsin Examiner that Republicans want to see the program go forward.
“We haven’t reviewed (the Democrats’) proposal yet but look forward to continued discussions on this important issue this fall,” he said.
