January 13. 2011 2:00AM - Last modified: March 16. 2012 9:01AM

GREEN BAY - Environmentalists criticize wetlands exemption for possible Bass Pro Shop development

  
An environmental group is decrying an exemption written into Gov. Scott Walker's regulatory reform proposal that would give special treatment to a project in Ashwaubenon that would fill in about 2 acres of wetlands. Becky Abel, executive director of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, said she believes the measure is targeted toward a project proposed by John Bergstrom of Neenah, who owns numerous car dealerships in Wisconsin. Bergstrom's attorney, Paul Kent, confirmed that a possible tenant for the 21-acre retail project is a Bass Pro Shops store. But Abel said the measure is written such that it could affect locations beyond the site at Highway 41 and Lombardi Avenue. "The way it's written now, it appears to apply to every wetland in Brown County, both federal and nonfederal, of less than 3 acres in size," she said.

An environmental group is decrying an exemption written into Gov. Scott Walker's regulatory reform proposal that would give special treatment to a project in Ashwaubenon that would fill in about 2 acres of wetlands. Becky Abel, executive director of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, said she believes the measure is targeted toward a project proposed by John Bergstrom of Neenah, who owns numerous car dealerships in Wisconsin. Bergstrom's attorney, Paul Kent, confirmed that a possible tenant for the 21-acre retail project is a Bass Pro Shops store. But Abel said the measure is written such that it could affect locations beyond the site at Highway 41 and Lombardi Avenue. "The way it's written now, it appears to apply to every wetland in Brown County, both federal and nonfederal, of less than 3 acres in size," she said.


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