Summary of FRBF Legal Efforts
FRBF Lawsuits Update, Jan. 28, 2020
- Overturned an improperly issued wetland permit, March, 3019. (appeal decision pending)
- Challenged the transfer and privatization of 6.7 acres of state park land from DNR to Kohler (in appeals)
- Challenged Kohler Co.'s incomplete EIS and poorly conceived storm water plan
In addition, there is a decision pending in the Town of Wilson Annexation by City of Sheboygan case appealed at state Supreme Court.
Amicus Brief filed on behalf of FRBF by Clean Wisconsin re: Land Swap
"Accepting the Circuit Court’s erroneous and novel standing ruling would deprive Wisconsin residents of their right to vindicate their interests in the natural world at a time when those interests need more appreciation and protection than ever. We urge this Court to reverse the Circuit Court’s ruling and allow Wisconsin residents an opportunity to be heard on the critical issues in this case."
Summary:
FBRF is suing the DNR and the Natural Resources Board for illegal permitting the proposed golf course, and the Natural Resources Board for its illegal land swap of our prime state land for inferior Kohler land.
Our suit asked for the illegal wetland permit to be overturned. The reason we filed this suit is that the DNR admitted to adverse, irreversible impacts from the project and issued the permit anyway. This is contrary to Wisconsin Wetland Law. “Friends" attorneys and experts, along with DNR witnesses, showed clearly the impossibility of Kohler’s public remarks.
FBRF has kept up this 5 year fight because our rights to protect our quality of life were taken away by Kohler’s secret, hostile annexation to the City of Sheboygan which allows them to avoid our Town of Wilson’s environmental requirements for development.
Republican lawmakers lobbied the EPA to remove the air quality monitor readings from Kohler Andrae State Park which consistently measure air contamination beyond acceptable levels of the Clean Air Act, The readings have been moved to Haven. This allows the Kohler Company to add pollution from the hundreds of non-road diesel machines used on a tournament course and the hundreds of thousands of vehicles attending tournaments. It also leaves the residents who suffer from respiratory illnesses with no valid air alerts.
We believe it is critical for the public to understand all the forces that have been in play as this project was pushed by Governor Walker and enabled by the DNR and Natural Resources Board, particularly, that giving away our state park land for private profit will set the precedent that anyone who is well connected can ask for state park land and receive it without being open to public scrutiny.
FRBF Lawsuits Update, Jan. 28, 2020
- Overturned an improperly issued wetland permit, March, 3019. (appeal decision pending)
- Challenged the transfer and privatization of 6.7 acres of state park land from DNR to Kohler (in appeals)
- Challenged Kohler Co.'s incomplete EIS and poorly conceived storm water plan
In addition, there is a decision pending in the Town of Wilson Annexation by City of Sheboygan case appealed at state Supreme Court.
Amicus Brief filed on behalf of FRBF by Clean Wisconsin re: Land Swap
"Accepting the Circuit Court’s erroneous and novel standing ruling would deprive Wisconsin residents of their right to vindicate their interests in the natural world at a time when those interests need more appreciation and protection than ever. We urge this Court to reverse the Circuit Court’s ruling and allow Wisconsin residents an opportunity to be heard on the critical issues in this case."
Summary:
FBRF is suing the DNR and the Natural Resources Board for illegal permitting the proposed golf course, and the Natural Resources Board for its illegal land swap of our prime state land for inferior Kohler land.
Our suit asked for the illegal wetland permit to be overturned. The reason we filed this suit is that the DNR admitted to adverse, irreversible impacts from the project and issued the permit anyway. This is contrary to Wisconsin Wetland Law. “Friends" attorneys and experts, along with DNR witnesses, showed clearly the impossibility of Kohler’s public remarks.
FBRF has kept up this 5 year fight because our rights to protect our quality of life were taken away by Kohler’s secret, hostile annexation to the City of Sheboygan which allows them to avoid our Town of Wilson’s environmental requirements for development.
Republican lawmakers lobbied the EPA to remove the air quality monitor readings from Kohler Andrae State Park which consistently measure air contamination beyond acceptable levels of the Clean Air Act, The readings have been moved to Haven. This allows the Kohler Company to add pollution from the hundreds of non-road diesel machines used on a tournament course and the hundreds of thousands of vehicles attending tournaments. It also leaves the residents who suffer from respiratory illnesses with no valid air alerts.
We believe it is critical for the public to understand all the forces that have been in play as this project was pushed by Governor Walker and enabled by the DNR and Natural Resources Board, particularly, that giving away our state park land for private profit will set the precedent that anyone who is well connected can ask for state park land and receive it without being open to public scrutiny.