Letter to the Editor: Wilton’s credibility is on the line

By ERIC ZINGLER | Kendall

The Backtalk editorial posted Sept. 24 stated, “It will be the Wilton Town Board’s challenge to weigh the facts … ”

Here is a University of Wisconsin factual study estimating that Wisconsin bicycling revenue is a $2 billion industry: http://sage.wisc.edu/IGERT/download/bicycling_Final_Report.pdf.

Here is another fact: there are approximately 2,500 nonmetallic (sand and gravel) mines in Wisconsin: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/Nonmetallic.html. It appears there is no need to give Mathy a handout. This is not your grandpa’s gravel pit used to build local roads.

How can the board assure us they are not risking our piece of the $2 billion tourism pie in return for the maintenance of one-half mile of road? The Wisconsin Towns Association offers this cost-benefit study related to the issue: http://www.wisctowns.com/uploads/ckfiles/files/2013-05-15_FracEconRpt.pdf. On page 69, they advise communities to ask and answer this question: “What will be the costs to other economic activities and businesses?”

The Minnesota DNR prepared this study, which included quarries run by Mathy’s Milestone Materials: http://www.mgwa.org/meetings/2010_spring/quarries_impacts_dnr.pdf. On page 102, they state: “Due to the nature of karst conduit groundwater flow, limestone quarries have the potential to affect water resources that are not immediately adjacent to the site … ” Has a licensed professional geologist with experience in karst mapping and hydrology given a report?

State Legislature bills like LRB 3146 and its revised version, Senate Bill 632, have wording that would limit the Wilton Township’s ability to regulate nonmetallic mining like the Mathy proposed quarry. “The town of Little Falls is one example of a township that has used licensing (ordinances) as a way to regulate a sand mind that Mathy Construction is building in the town.” http://monroecountysandmines.blogspot.com/.

For example, if there were no ordinances in place to prevent undermining the water table, Mathy would be exempt if Senate Bill 632 were passed. What is the Wilton Township Board’s proactive licensing ordinance strategy to protect its authority in case legislation like this is passed?

The Wilton Township Board has a fiduciary responsibility to answer these questions. Trivialization such as, “It’s no big deal,” “There are lots of stops” or “We’ll survive” do not qualify as “answers” or “advice.”

The Town and Village of Wilton Comprehensive Plan prepared by MSA Professional Services states in the introduction: “The major challenges facing the Village include continuing to develop tourism connected to the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail …” and in the Issues and Opportunities section (k), “The Elroy-Sparta Bicycle Trail has a big influence on the area economy.”

The Economic Development section “Tourism” (9-6) calls for, “Recognize and promote tourism as a regional asset” and “Continue to develop area cooperation and strategy to pursue tourism dollars.”

Bike Trail section 9­-10 states: “Develop a regional approach, with other communities on the bike trail, to market the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.”

Will the Wilton Township Board take action consistent with its township plan and protect trail riders from being blocked by gravel trucks or electronic gates? Wilton’s credibility is on the line, or is it worse? Aside from environmental due-diligence issues, what about Wilton Township liability if the board fails to follow actions consistent with the township’s adopted plan and area businesses and communities perceive loss of tourism dollars from decreased ridership? Will they sue the town?

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