In a JSOnline article published last Friday, referring to Mayor Tom Taylor’s Ryan Creek Sewer Project, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor John Weisan said “Rather than spending millions of dollars beginning in 2015 to pay for a proposed sewer serving rural southwest Franklin, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) should invest the funds in flood control efforts throughout the metropolitan area...." Coincidently flash flooding effected many parts of Milwaukee exactly one year ago to the day, last Friday (July 22).
Weishan will introduce a resolution opposing both the sewer plan and Franklin's use of eminent domain to acquire land for the sewer project from any owners unwilling to sell their property. The resolution will be discussed today at a meeting of the County Board's Intergovernmental Relations Committee. THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL is covering today’s meeting.
Supervisor Weishan provided us with the following letter this morning.
Weishan Franklin Interceptor Letter
We also recently received the following comments from a reader.
Who should be assisting and standing up for the American taxpayers and closely analyze this project for impacts that outweigh the fictitious benefits?
Governor Walker – His promise to cut wasteful spending is missing this target. Taking people’s land by Eminent Domain for costly and un-necessary projects does not put the people and families of Wisconsin first.
Franklin Mayor Tom Taylor - This project is contrary to today’s economic situation and the spending cuts promised by our Governor (who he supported). The project works against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s purpose and programs including The Farm Land Preservation Act, The Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative and the Food Security Act. The impact on local farmland compromises any future opportunity to support U.S. farmers by buying American, locally-grown food. By putting other lands at risk for severance and development it is also contrary to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. As part of this project, Franklin officials have graciously agreed to include and pay for sewer lines that will extend into Muskego, serving Waukesha County.
Mayor Taylor is blatantly promoting the project as economic development. This is NOT the purpose of the Federal Clean Water Fund Loan Program, which is the source of the money requested for this project. This $40 Million of taxpayers’ money is going for unneeded infrastructure. Mayor Taylor is also working against his own community by increasing associated spending to keep the project alive for the benefit of his supporters, while spouting typical rhetoric that speculative development will ultimately lower taxes.
The Army Corp of Engineers – A project this scale ($40M) is significant and the scale too large to slide under the non-public input of the general permit process.
WI Department of Natural Resources – Same - Public Notice the permits for this project and justify its need and ranking. How does their internal documentation under NR150 support their decision on this grant?
The U.S. EPA- Federal Funds administered to the State should have an obligation to the taxpayers to cut spending by oversight of funding abuse.
Southeastern WI Regional Planning Commission – SEWRPC stands on the sidelines by virtue of ultimate population forecasts in their long-range planning document. The projected population served by this sewer is 20,000, where only 440 live today. It will take decades to reach the forecast population level.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District – MMSD has the responsibility to protect our drinking water by not adding additional burdens to the system, fixing current problems, and help keep sewerage tax rates under control. Promotion of speculative development is not part of the MMSD mission.
Coalition for Property Rights – The CPR monitors government abuse of Eminent Domain, working to protect the American Dream and Affordable Homeownership.
Wisconsin Historical Society – Historic properties are in the path of this 5-mile pipeline project. How will they be protected or avoided under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act- Protection of Historic Properties?
Great Lakes Protection Organizations – While water groups are being distracted on Lake Michigan water diversions and return paths through Underwood Creek, they may be missing the larger pipe being pushed right past their noses. Another aspect is the need to address water quality issues and question how increasing sewerage flows will solve these needs.
Mark
Living the economic hardship caused by unjustified government spending.
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