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Thursday, February 24, 2005

Environment - Menards and State of Wisconsin's DNR clash over application for construction in wetlands

There was a brief blurb on this issue on the NPR news broadcast this morning. Here are some quotes from an editorial in the University of Wisconsin student newspaper, The Spectator.

Home-improvement retailer Menards is moving one of its Eau Claire manufacturing plants to Belgrade, Minn., citing conflicts over the location of the plant with the state Department of Natural Resources as the reason for the move, according to a Leader-Telegram article.

The relocation, which will create 80 to 100 jobs in Minnesota, is only the latest in a long string of clashes between Eau Claire's largest employer and the DNR. Last fall, the company was charged in Eau Claire County Court with a felony count of disposal of hazardous waste without a license.

This time around, the DNR claims the location of a new Menards warehouse in the town of Union would destroy two wetlands that are important for migratory birds during spring months.

The struggle between creating new jobs and protecting the environment is not new. However, the company has denied alternative options, such as different building sites in the area, according to the article. Menards is showing an unwillingness to cooperate with DNR officials, an error on the part of the company.

While the prospect of new area jobs is appealing, the price of permanent wetland destruction is not worth returns such jobs would have on the economy. Employment may come and go, but it is impossible to recreate wildlife areas.

Here are some quotes from a Feb. 14th AP article via the Janesville WI Gazette.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Menards says the state has forced it to move a local manufacturing plant to Minnesota because it won't issue the home improvement retailer a building permit.

Menard Inc., headquartered in Eau Claire, will move an Eau Claire manufacturing plant to Belgrade, Minn., where it will employ 80 to 100 people.

The dispute could also affect about 900 new jobs.

"It is certainly no secret that there are certain agencies here in Wisconsin that have been awfully difficult, if not impossible, to work with on business issues," Menards spokeswoman Dawn Sands said.

Other states "have agencies and communities that have a very positive, pro-business attitude," Sands said. "It becomes a pretty easy choice to make."
* * *

Menards wanted to consolidate operations from several buildings into one plant but has been unable to get building permits because of the state Department of Natural Resources, Sands said.

DNR spokesman Dave Weitz said he's familiar with only one permit Menards requested recently. It involves a warehouse to be built in a wetland. When Menards was informed the land was a wetland, officials said it would revise the project.

"What we require from Menards is exactly the same thing we require from any business in the state of Wisconsin," Weitz said.

[Menards spokeswoman Dawn Sands] said the DNR told the company the field planned for the plant was a landing spot for migratory birds during their migration from north to south. She questioned why the birds couldn't land across the street.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 24, 2005 09:07 AM
Posted to Environment