Background and History of Controversy
Kohler Company, a large corporation known for its elegant home appliances had its start in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin in 1873. The company has begun to expand is luxurious ideals out of the factory and out of the village of Kohler into surrounding areas by creating golf courses. The company has already built a golf course north of the city of Sheboygan. The company would like to host more important golf tournaments and they believe that to achieve this they need to build more luxurious golf courses. Kohler would like to expand its golfing experience for visitors by building another golf course on Lake Michigan, south of the city, in the town of Wilson. Kohler originally went to the town of Wilson in order to get a conditional use permit in hopes of building an 18-hole golf course on the Kohler Andrae State Park lands. The town never received a completed conditional use permit so they believed that Kohler stopped pursuing the project. However, Kohler went to the city of Sheboygan, just north of the town of Wilson,. to have the city annex the towns’ land that the company has its eyes on. This then created turmoil between the town, the city, and the company. This lead to a lawsuit being filed by the town against the city.
The company went through the DNR in order to get a permit to fill in the wetlands. The Company did promise that they would attempt to avoid as many wetlands as possible and if they were to damage any they are going to try to restore and relocate the wetlands. The DNR had surveyed the land an concluded the survey with 1.4 acres of wetlands that are proposed to be destroyed globally important interdunal and ridge-swale wetlands. The DNR then asked the Natural Resources Board to amend the master plan for the state par. The master plan is the original use for the property. They wis to rezone and change the master plan in order to build the golf course. This has caused an outcry from the local environmental group, friends of the black forest river. This group then filed a lawsuit against the DNR for political interference of its decision on permitting the company to fill in the wetlands. Several former DNR employees have come forward and have “called out” the agency for bypassing it’s own environmental policies for wetlands. Jim Buchholz is one of those former DNR employees and was a superintendent for the kohler-andrae state park and that the approval of the permit allows the “destruction of rare, globally significant wetlands. Pat Trochlell, an ecologist for the DNR for 37 years, also agrees that the DNR has made the wrong decision. She also states that the DNR survey had no effect because it proved that the course would a significantly negative impact on the property and the surrounding area. She also has driven the assumption that their was political interference in the DNR’s decision, “I was in a meeting with the managers, and I asked the question of what would happen if we didn’t sign off on these permits, and I was told if we didn’t sign off on these permits, we would be moved to another job or fires- I think that's how I interpreted it.” This political interference was then dug into and it turns out that top executives of the Kohler company have donated to former governor Walker's campaign. Citizens of sheboygan county have also spoken out against the golf course, the county already has 11 golf courses why do they need one more? One illinois residents family has owned apart of the northern property for decades and opposes the golf course because it will destroy the natural beauty of the park. A petition was begun and there have been over 22,000 signatures, the town of wilson, where the golf course is being built, onl has a population of 3,500 citizens making this golf course not only the town of wilson's problem but the states problem as a whole. However, the company has some citizens in support of their project, mainly business owners in hope of a surge in economic growth. The company would bring in about $1.1 million in taxes, $21 million in economic activity, and create 227 jobs.
Current Status of Controversy
The final approval of the Kohler Co.’s proposed golf course has been delayed by a series of cases within the circuit courts and the DNR. The city and town of Sheboygan have been in court since September of 2017 due to the city’s decision to annex land from the town in order to aid in the accumulation of space for the course. The case, Town of Wilson v. City of Sheboygan, was still being tried within the Sheboygan County Circuit Court as of October of 2018. Any further court dates have yet to be made public.
Key Players List
Herbert K. Kohler: Executive Chairman of the Kohler Company, one of the largest privately held companies in Wisconsin. Kohler is also one of the richest people in Wisconsin, and has been a political donor to Scott Walker for many years. Kohler attorneys have dismissed environmentalists’ and democrats’ concerns about political pressure on the DNR as “baseless accusations”.
Friends of the Black River Forest: Environmental group concerned with the consequences that the proposed golf course would have on the land. They believe there was significant political pressure on the DNR to approve the proposal and grant the permit to the Kohler Co.
DNR: According to their website, the mission of the Wisconsin DNR is “protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our citizenry”. In the case of wetland protection, the DNR is in charge of regulating wetlands and issuing permits. Ideally, decisions regarding a proposal should be rooted in science, but recent events suggest that certain choices may be influenced by a political bias. As it pertains to the Kohler Co.’s proposed golf course, the DNR has encouraged building by granting permit approval despite subpar reports and investigation.
Power-Dynamic Analysis
Kohler Executive Chairman Herbert K. Kohler holds power due to his close ties with Scott Walker “Kohler has been a political donor to Walker, the GOP governor”(Jsonline) also “Kohler has given $45,000 to Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch since 2010, according to records kept by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign”(Jsonline). When Kohler originally tired to get passed the DNRs wetland system they were stopped so they went through Walker allowing them to bypass the strict guidelines people must follow. Even though the wetlands were off limits the connections are clearly there along with the loophole they used through to acquire the adjacent land for the golf course, just to attract more tourist and possibly host the PGA Tour Champions.
Solutions
Our initial question revolved around the need for new legislation to protect Wisconsin wetlands from corporate buyouts. Upon further review of the current legislation and process for obtaining permits, we’ve found that the issue lies within the way in which these practices are being upheld, not the bills themselves. In regards to the Kohler Co.’s proposal, it seems that political connections influenced decisions throughout the legal process. Kohler Executive Chairman Herbert V. Kohler Jr. has been a political donor to Scott Walker since 2012. As a result, controversy arose when concerned citizens and environmental groups began to suspect that the DNR had not been appropriately thorough in their approval of the proposal, especially considering that the organization has been rather politicized, given that the DNR Secretary is a position left to gubernatorial appointment. As a result, we’ve come to believe that the best option regarding the protection and preservation of existing wetlands would be restoring independence to the DNR. Doing so would eliminate a problem that arose in 1955, when then-governor Tommy Thompson gave himself the power to appoint DNR Secretary. Since then, politics and partisanship have influenced DNR decisions across a plethora of issues, wetlands being only a fraction of the ecosystems forced to pay the price. Restoring independence to the DNR would aid in the elimination of political bias when it comes to crucial decisions regarding the environment. In theory, taking away gubernatorial appointment would help to ensure that these choices are based on science, not politics.
Kohler Company, a large corporation known for its elegant home appliances had its start in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin in 1873. The company has begun to expand is luxurious ideals out of the factory and out of the village of Kohler into surrounding areas by creating golf courses. The company has already built a golf course north of the city of Sheboygan. The company would like to host more important golf tournaments and they believe that to achieve this they need to build more luxurious golf courses. Kohler would like to expand its golfing experience for visitors by building another golf course on Lake Michigan, south of the city, in the town of Wilson. Kohler originally went to the town of Wilson in order to get a conditional use permit in hopes of building an 18-hole golf course on the Kohler Andrae State Park lands. The town never received a completed conditional use permit so they believed that Kohler stopped pursuing the project. However, Kohler went to the city of Sheboygan, just north of the town of Wilson,. to have the city annex the towns’ land that the company has its eyes on. This then created turmoil between the town, the city, and the company. This lead to a lawsuit being filed by the town against the city.
The company went through the DNR in order to get a permit to fill in the wetlands. The Company did promise that they would attempt to avoid as many wetlands as possible and if they were to damage any they are going to try to restore and relocate the wetlands. The DNR had surveyed the land an concluded the survey with 1.4 acres of wetlands that are proposed to be destroyed globally important interdunal and ridge-swale wetlands. The DNR then asked the Natural Resources Board to amend the master plan for the state par. The master plan is the original use for the property. They wis to rezone and change the master plan in order to build the golf course. This has caused an outcry from the local environmental group, friends of the black forest river. This group then filed a lawsuit against the DNR for political interference of its decision on permitting the company to fill in the wetlands. Several former DNR employees have come forward and have “called out” the agency for bypassing it’s own environmental policies for wetlands. Jim Buchholz is one of those former DNR employees and was a superintendent for the kohler-andrae state park and that the approval of the permit allows the “destruction of rare, globally significant wetlands. Pat Trochlell, an ecologist for the DNR for 37 years, also agrees that the DNR has made the wrong decision. She also states that the DNR survey had no effect because it proved that the course would a significantly negative impact on the property and the surrounding area. She also has driven the assumption that their was political interference in the DNR’s decision, “I was in a meeting with the managers, and I asked the question of what would happen if we didn’t sign off on these permits, and I was told if we didn’t sign off on these permits, we would be moved to another job or fires- I think that's how I interpreted it.” This political interference was then dug into and it turns out that top executives of the Kohler company have donated to former governor Walker's campaign. Citizens of sheboygan county have also spoken out against the golf course, the county already has 11 golf courses why do they need one more? One illinois residents family has owned apart of the northern property for decades and opposes the golf course because it will destroy the natural beauty of the park. A petition was begun and there have been over 22,000 signatures, the town of wilson, where the golf course is being built, onl has a population of 3,500 citizens making this golf course not only the town of wilson's problem but the states problem as a whole. However, the company has some citizens in support of their project, mainly business owners in hope of a surge in economic growth. The company would bring in about $1.1 million in taxes, $21 million in economic activity, and create 227 jobs.
Current Status of Controversy
The final approval of the Kohler Co.’s proposed golf course has been delayed by a series of cases within the circuit courts and the DNR. The city and town of Sheboygan have been in court since September of 2017 due to the city’s decision to annex land from the town in order to aid in the accumulation of space for the course. The case, Town of Wilson v. City of Sheboygan, was still being tried within the Sheboygan County Circuit Court as of October of 2018. Any further court dates have yet to be made public.
Key Players List
Herbert K. Kohler: Executive Chairman of the Kohler Company, one of the largest privately held companies in Wisconsin. Kohler is also one of the richest people in Wisconsin, and has been a political donor to Scott Walker for many years. Kohler attorneys have dismissed environmentalists’ and democrats’ concerns about political pressure on the DNR as “baseless accusations”.
Friends of the Black River Forest: Environmental group concerned with the consequences that the proposed golf course would have on the land. They believe there was significant political pressure on the DNR to approve the proposal and grant the permit to the Kohler Co.
DNR: According to their website, the mission of the Wisconsin DNR is “protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our citizenry”. In the case of wetland protection, the DNR is in charge of regulating wetlands and issuing permits. Ideally, decisions regarding a proposal should be rooted in science, but recent events suggest that certain choices may be influenced by a political bias. As it pertains to the Kohler Co.’s proposed golf course, the DNR has encouraged building by granting permit approval despite subpar reports and investigation.
Power-Dynamic Analysis
Kohler Executive Chairman Herbert K. Kohler holds power due to his close ties with Scott Walker “Kohler has been a political donor to Walker, the GOP governor”(Jsonline) also “Kohler has given $45,000 to Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch since 2010, according to records kept by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign”(Jsonline). When Kohler originally tired to get passed the DNRs wetland system they were stopped so they went through Walker allowing them to bypass the strict guidelines people must follow. Even though the wetlands were off limits the connections are clearly there along with the loophole they used through to acquire the adjacent land for the golf course, just to attract more tourist and possibly host the PGA Tour Champions.
Solutions
Our initial question revolved around the need for new legislation to protect Wisconsin wetlands from corporate buyouts. Upon further review of the current legislation and process for obtaining permits, we’ve found that the issue lies within the way in which these practices are being upheld, not the bills themselves. In regards to the Kohler Co.’s proposal, it seems that political connections influenced decisions throughout the legal process. Kohler Executive Chairman Herbert V. Kohler Jr. has been a political donor to Scott Walker since 2012. As a result, controversy arose when concerned citizens and environmental groups began to suspect that the DNR had not been appropriately thorough in their approval of the proposal, especially considering that the organization has been rather politicized, given that the DNR Secretary is a position left to gubernatorial appointment. As a result, we’ve come to believe that the best option regarding the protection and preservation of existing wetlands would be restoring independence to the DNR. Doing so would eliminate a problem that arose in 1955, when then-governor Tommy Thompson gave himself the power to appoint DNR Secretary. Since then, politics and partisanship have influenced DNR decisions across a plethora of issues, wetlands being only a fraction of the ecosystems forced to pay the price. Restoring independence to the DNR would aid in the elimination of political bias when it comes to crucial decisions regarding the environment. In theory, taking away gubernatorial appointment would help to ensure that these choices are based on science, not politics.
Bibliography
Affo, Marina. "Kohler golf course lawsuits: Where they stand in Sheboygan County Circuit Court." Sheboygan Press Media. 05 Oct. 2018. Sheboygan Press. 19 Mar. 2019 <https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/10/05/kohler-company-golf-course-proposal-wisconsin-held-up-sheboygan-county-court-cases/1433398002/>.
https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/10/05/kohler-company-golf-course-proposal-wisconsin-held-up-sheboygan-county-court-cases/1433398002/
Affo, Marina. “Sheboyganites Voice Environmental Concerns at Trial on Kohler Golf Course.” Sheboygan Press Media, Sheboygan Press, 8 June 2018, www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/06/08/kohler-golf-course-sheboygan-residents-express-environmental-concerns/686340002/.
Bergquist, Lee. "Opponents of Kohler golf course claim Wisconsin DNR caved to political pressure." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 19 Nov. 2018. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 19 Mar. 2019 <https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/19/opponents-kohler-golf-course-claim-dnr-caved-political-pressure/2030658002/>.
“Former DNR Employee: Staff Pressured To OK Kohler Golf Course On Rare Wisconsin Wetlands And State Park.” Wisconsin Public Radio, 20 Nov. 2018,
"Protecting wetlands." Protect wetlands - Wisconsin DNR. 19 Mar. 2019 <https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wetlands/protect.html>.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wetlands/protect.html
"Waterway protectionWetland disturbance." Waterway protection - Wetland disturbance - Wisconsin DNR. 19 Mar. 2019
“Kohler Golf Course Development Brings Lawsuit.” Kohler Golf Course Development Brings Lawsuit, thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2017/09/kohler-golf-course-development-brings.html.
Affo, Marina. “Day 1 of Kohler Golf Course Annexation Trial Looks at Timeline.” Sheboygan Press Media, Sheboygan Press, 11 May 2018, www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/05/10/kohler-golf-course-wilson-v-sheboygan-trial-looks-timeline/596847002/.
Barks, Joe. “Report Says New Kohler Course OK'd Despite Environmental Concerns.” Club & Resort Business, 12 Nov. 2018, clubandresortbusiness.com/report-says-new-kohler-course-okd-despite-environmental-concerns/.
Affo, Marina. “Decision in Kohler Golf Course Annexation Case Coming in June.” Sheboygan Press Media, Sheboygan Press, 11 May 2018, www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/05/11/kohler-golf-course-annexation-decision-june/601645002/.
“Felling a Full-Fledged Forest Is Pure Folly.” Midwest Environmental Justice Organization, 17 Feb. 2018, mejo.us/felling-a-full-fledged-forest-is-pure-folly/.
Bergquist, Lee. “Opponents of Kohler Golf Course Claim Wisconsin DNR Caved to Political Pressure.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2018, www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/19/opponents-kohler-golf-course-claim-dnr-caved-political-pressure/2030658002/.
Affo, Marina. "Kohler golf course lawsuits: Where they stand in Sheboygan County Circuit Court." Sheboygan Press Media. 05 Oct. 2018. Sheboygan Press. 19 Mar. 2019 <https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/10/05/kohler-company-golf-course-proposal-wisconsin-held-up-sheboygan-county-court-cases/1433398002/>.
https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/10/05/kohler-company-golf-course-proposal-wisconsin-held-up-sheboygan-county-court-cases/1433398002/
Affo, Marina. “Sheboyganites Voice Environmental Concerns at Trial on Kohler Golf Course.” Sheboygan Press Media, Sheboygan Press, 8 June 2018, www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/06/08/kohler-golf-course-sheboygan-residents-express-environmental-concerns/686340002/.
Bergquist, Lee. "Opponents of Kohler golf course claim Wisconsin DNR caved to political pressure." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 19 Nov. 2018. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 19 Mar. 2019 <https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/19/opponents-kohler-golf-course-claim-dnr-caved-political-pressure/2030658002/>.
“Former DNR Employee: Staff Pressured To OK Kohler Golf Course On Rare Wisconsin Wetlands And State Park.” Wisconsin Public Radio, 20 Nov. 2018,
"Protecting wetlands." Protect wetlands - Wisconsin DNR. 19 Mar. 2019 <https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wetlands/protect.html>.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wetlands/protect.html
"Waterway protectionWetland disturbance." Waterway protection - Wetland disturbance - Wisconsin DNR. 19 Mar. 2019
“Kohler Golf Course Development Brings Lawsuit.” Kohler Golf Course Development Brings Lawsuit, thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2017/09/kohler-golf-course-development-brings.html.
Affo, Marina. “Day 1 of Kohler Golf Course Annexation Trial Looks at Timeline.” Sheboygan Press Media, Sheboygan Press, 11 May 2018, www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/05/10/kohler-golf-course-wilson-v-sheboygan-trial-looks-timeline/596847002/.
Barks, Joe. “Report Says New Kohler Course OK'd Despite Environmental Concerns.” Club & Resort Business, 12 Nov. 2018, clubandresortbusiness.com/report-says-new-kohler-course-okd-despite-environmental-concerns/.
Affo, Marina. “Decision in Kohler Golf Course Annexation Case Coming in June.” Sheboygan Press Media, Sheboygan Press, 11 May 2018, www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2018/05/11/kohler-golf-course-annexation-decision-june/601645002/.
“Felling a Full-Fledged Forest Is Pure Folly.” Midwest Environmental Justice Organization, 17 Feb. 2018, mejo.us/felling-a-full-fledged-forest-is-pure-folly/.
Bergquist, Lee. “Opponents of Kohler Golf Course Claim Wisconsin DNR Caved to Political Pressure.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2018, www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/19/opponents-kohler-golf-course-claim-dnr-caved-political-pressure/2030658002/.