Whereas, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is in the process of promulgating a new administrative rule interpreting a new public access for hunting policy included in the 2007-2009 state budget (Act 20) for lands acquired by municipalities with Stewardship funds; and

Whereas, under Act 20 access for hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking and cross country skiing cannot be restricted on lands acquired by a municipality with Stewardship funds unless the Natural Resources Board determines that the prohibition meets one of the following three conditions:  1) protect public safety; 2) protect a unique animal or plant community; or 3) accommodate usership patterns, as defined by rule by DNR.

Whereas, the new public access for hunting policy impacts the ability of municipalities to enact and enforce ordinances prohibiting the discharge of firearms, hunting, or trapping on Stewardship acquired lands to protect public safety and impacts the eligibility of municipalities to receive future Stewardship program funding.

Now Therefore be it Resolved: that the League of Wisconsin Municipalities in conference assembled on October 23, 2008 opposes any attempt to undermine the sovereignty of municipal ordinances, policies and regulations designed to protect public safety, manage competing or conflicting parkland uses; or deny or in any way restrict Stewardship grant funding to local governments that have enacted such ordinances, policies or regulations.

Be it Further Resolved that the League of Wisconsin Municipalities supports flexibility in DNR rules to allow for stewardship funded land acquisition projects to proceed in situations where hunting and trapping is prohibited, not feasible or inpractical, such as purchases involving smaller parcels of land in urbanizing, populous areas. 

Whereas, it is desirous to use alternative transportation methods to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels; and,

Whereas, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) utilize electricity as fuel; and,

Whereas, Wisconsin law (s. 349.26, Stats.) authorizes municipalities to allow by ordinance operation of NEVs on public roadways under their jurisdiction that have a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less; and

Whereas, state law does not allow NEV use on state highways; and

Whereas; a municipality may, with the state Department of Transportation’s approval, allow NEVs to operate on connecting highways and on intersections where the roadway crosses a state trunk highway; and,

Whereas, the Department of Transportation has been routinely denying approval of municipal NEV ordinances that allow NEVs to cross a state highway or operate on connecting highways; and,

Whereas, many communities, like the City of Eagle River, are crisscrossed by state highways; and,

Whereas, state law and DOT requirements make NEV use in these communities not feasible.
 
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the League of Wisconsin Municipalities in conference assembled on October 23, 2008 hereby urges the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor Doyle to enact legislation enabling municipalities to allow the use of NEVs on state and county highways within municipal boundaries.

Be It Further Resolved that the League of Wisconsin Municipalities urges DOT to work toward routinely approving municipal NEV ordinances that allow NEVs to cross state and county highways within municipal boundaries.

Whereas, during the Great Depression of the 1930's Congress stimulated the national economy by investing in major public works projects, which benefitted Americans for generations; and

Whereas, during the 1950's and 1960's Congress stimulated the national economy by investing in the federal interstate highway system, which millions of Americans use daily; and

Whereas, in the Spring of 2008 Congress adopted an economic stimulus package that consisted solely of encouraging consumer spending by providing federal tax rebates; and

Whereas, consumer spending today does little or nothing to benefit future generations; and
Whereas, America has a critical need for transportation improvements that require capital investment in highways, bridges, railroads, airports,  harbors, and mass transit systems; and

Whereas, America has a critical need for renewable energy that requires capital investment in electric generation by wind turbines, bio fuels, solar panels, and other new technologies; and

Whereas, America has a critical need for clean rivers and lakes that requires capital investment in sewage treatment, retentions ponds, wetlands, and storm water facilities.

Whereas, infrastructure stimulus programs would not only provide an immediate economic benefit creating jobs here in America but the improvements would benefit both current and future generations.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Board of Directors of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities hereby urges Congress and the President to focus any future economic stimulus package on funding our critical infrastructure needs for transportation, renewable energy, and clean water by investing in public projects that will employ Americans today and that will benefit future generations of Americans for years to come.

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities at its 110th Annual Meeting on October 22, 2008.