River Alliance of Wisconsin: offering help to groups like Francie's

Upon seeing lake levels drop alarmingly, Francie joined her local lake protection group and they led a legal challenge to the high-capacity wells in the area—particularly fighting against a state agency that OK’d wells that would have used more than 130 million gallons of water annually for a proposed 4,200-cow, highly industrialized “factory farm.” The group was successful in achieving a decision that helps protect their groundwater, lakes, and streams by taking into account groundwater and surface water impacts of wells.

She said, “We couldn’t have done it without the help of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. They provide guidance, financial support, and a reminder that we’re not alone in this. The citizens of Pleasant Lake led the charge, but the River Alliance definitely showed us the way.”