Waukesha Seeks Federal Subsidy For Great Lakes Water Diversion Scheme

[hue]

http://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2014/05/waukesha-seeks-federal-subsidy-for.html

Wherein conservative, Scott Walker-friendly Waukesha - - where federal government bashing is boiler plate politics - - kisses the hand it usually bites.

From Milw Journal Sentinel:

Waukesha officials will be in Washington, D.C., this week to remind the state's congressional delegation of the city's desire for $50 million in federal grants to help pay for a proposed switch to a Lake Michigan water supply.

Mayor Shawn Reilly will accompany Water Utility General Manager Dan Duchniak to meetings Thursday with U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), as well as Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.).

Waukesha is asking Wisconsin and the other seven Great Lakes states to approve a diversion of up to an average of 10.1 million gallons a day of lake water by mid-century. Oak Creek has agreed to supply lake water to Waukesha if the diversion request is approved by each of the eight states.

Duchniak's fundraising goal is to obtain sufficient federal grants — primarily from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — to pay 25% of construction costs.

Cost of building pipes and pumping stations needed to carry the water to Waukesha and return most of it to the lake in the form of treated wastewater is estimated at $206 million, Duchniak said.

[postulater]

1. Sure Walker returns millions that were earmarked for a rail system, declines Medicaid money

and then they beg for money for THEIR water.

Screwem.

[Leme]

2. I think Canada has to approve also

Lots of money in water.

[hue]

6. Yes Canada is a member of The Great Lakes Compact & would have to approve.

Every member of The Great Lakes Compact (Great Lakes + St. Lawrence Seaway/River Basin) would have to approve of the diversion of water from Lake Michigan. US states on the Council include: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Ontario and Quebec are included on the Regional Body.

[AleksS]

3. Well, when federal money benefits Milwaukee, or poor folks

Well, you see, when federal money benefits Milwaukee, or poor folks (the train, or Medicaid expansion) then it's BAD federal money.

When it benefits Waukesha, or the rich, then it's GOOD federal money.

Silly liberal, get with the program.

[Leme]

4. Many ways this could be a local scam

Cheap water can mean that building a plant in that county might be a money bonanza. Perhaps the company being built "owns" the zoning and politics. They could get subsidies to build, favorable tax status. And sell adjoining land to people at a profit. Lax building codes and less local regulations could increase profits.
-
more stuff I am sure, I just can't spend more thinking time atm. : )

[hue]

5. As usual Wankersha keeps changing it's numbers & "needs".

They say they want an average of 10.1 million gallons/day but at one time they requested up to 16 mg/d.
Areas of Wankersha Co. that would receive the diverted water seem to keep changing also.

Yet Wankersha does not implement proven conservation measures like changing to water conservative toilets, planting native grasses, and some residents even sprinkle their massive lawns during daylight hrs--though there is a fine for that. No one wants to give up their private pools.
Diverting Lake Michigan water is the quick, easy fix for those spoiled brats who won't take responsibility for themselves!
Their deep wells have been producing radium laden water for at lest 80 yrs now and they have barely gotten off their asses to begin to fix the problem.
Furthermore, radium is just one of many pollutants in their water!
They just want the gubberment to fix their problems for them!!!