Silent Sports Magazine reported that an out-of-state organization, American Stewards of Liberty (ASL), is working to alter Wisconsin’s natural resource protection policies in ways that would stymie environmental conservation efforts. The organization worked with Representative Tom Tiffany and county officials from Forest, Langlade, and Oneida counties to obstruct the Pelican River Forest project. ASL has also engaged with oversight committees in Forest and Oneida counties as they revise their Comprehensive Land Use Plans.
Oneida County residents are concerned that the updated plan for their county will emphasize mineral extraction over natural resource preservation and recreational development. One proposed change states the plan should “allow for necessary metallic mining through the County’s non-metallic mining and metallic mining exploration, bulk sampling, and mining ordinance while balancing the interest of County residents.”
Oneida County Clean Waters Action (OCCWA) pushed back against this change, pointing to a 2018 referendum where county residents decisively voted against mining.
“I don’t think that the plan they’re pushing is what the people of northern Wisconsin want,” said Eric Rempala of OCCWA.
While ASL presents itself as a defender of property rights, conservation organizations argue that its true agenda is anti-public land. Critics say the organization promotes policies that limit landowners’ ability to establish conservation easements that would protect areas from logging and mining operations. ASL’s strategy typically involves encouraging rural counties to reject both conservation initiatives and funding that would preserve local environments and expand public access to recreational lands.
While pushing for changes in Wisconsin, ASL has drawn negative attention surrounding how they operate. Watchdog groups have filed complaints about their political activities. The organization’s spending has been scrutinized as well. Tax records show ASL spent 94% of their money on salaries for its two leaders in 2020.
Featured image by Adam Kring, 2018.
