Rep. Black, legislator from the 77th District.

Why should citizens care about the amount of waste coming into Wisconsin’s
landfills?

We’re doing a good job in Wisconsin recycling our waste and reducing the
amount of waste we send to landfills. However, the amount of garbage dumped
in Wisconsin’s landfills from neighboring states increased 46 percent last
year—to over 2 million tons. The cheap cost of dumping garbage here makes
Wisconsin an attractive place for out-of-state waste.

What does your legislation do to solve this problem?

I have introduced Assembly Bill 798 to increase the tax on waste dumped in
Wisconsin landfills (known as the tipping fee). The bill raises the tax on
dumping nonrecycled waste to $10 a ton. The current tax is $3 a ton.
According to a recent study conducted at the University of Wisconsin, the $7
per ton increase in AB 798 would lead to a 50 percent reduction in
out-of-state waste dumping. The bill will also more than double the funding
for local community recycling programs.

What is the most important thing we can do in Wisconsin to protect the
environment?

Gaylord Nelson, at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Earth Day,
said broad public understanding of the importance of protecting the earth
that sustains us will lead to the political will to vigorously protect our
air, water and land. I would add that using energy more efficiently and
using renewable energy is essential because our current consumption of
fossil fuel negatively affects our air and water quality, our wilderness
areas and our global climate.

You’ve been a long time champion of environmental issues in Wisconsin. Where
did that interest come from?

My love of the outdoors. My favorite times are spent hiking, camping, skiing
and canoeing. And having spent much time exploring our country’s natural
areas, I realize just how vulnerable the environment is to abuse. My
environmental commitment also grows out of my personal values. I also
believe we have a moral obligation to future generations to not deprive them
of the beauty and natural heritage that we are privileged to enjoy.

What piece of legislation are you most proud of?

The Stewardship Fund is the commitment in state history to preserve our
state’s natural heritage by expanding our state parks and forests,
preserving wildlife habitat, and providing new opportunities for outdoor
recreation. The Stewardship Fund has preserved over 350,000 acres of the
best of outdoor Wisconsin.

Our state’s recycling law is the nation’s strongest. More than 40 percent of
the waste that used to be dumped in landfills is now being recycled.

And the mining moratorium law stopped Exxon from constructing a large mine
and toxic waste dump in the headwaters of the Wolf River near Crandon.

Why is citizen involvement important in ensuring that strong environmental
policies are implemented in Wisconsin?

Behind every environmental victory are citizens who fought for the public
good, often against great odds. The vast majority of the public supports
strong environmental protection, but governmental decisions are all too
often influenced by big money interests who want to profit from the
pollution of our environment. They can use their money to influence policy
makers through lobbying and campaign contributions. People power—concerned
citizens speaking up for our environment—can overcome that big money
influence.

Why is the role of grassroots organizations important when it comes to
environmental issues in Wisconsin?

We wouldn’t have conservation in Wisconsin if it weren’t for the work of
grassroots groups. Conservation laws that I have passed, like the
Stewardship Fund, Recycling and the Mining Moratorium, came about only
because people banded together in grassroots organizations. Grassroots
groups, like WISPIRG, give conservation minded citizens the chance to
maximize their effectiveness by working and speaking up together.