La Crosse County voters made their voices heard on the only county-wide referendum, an advisory question on if the state should establish a right to clean water.
Eighty-six percent of voters said yes to this question:
“Shall the State of Wisconsin establish a right to clean water to protect human health, the environment, and the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Wisconsin?”
The county’s unofficial vote count showed 16,304, or 86%, in favor of the advisory referendum and 2,576, or 14%, against. All precincts were reporting.
The responses from the referendum plan to be sent to various groups around the state and to the office of Gov. Tony Evers. The question stemmed from a statewide campaign known as “Clean Water Now.”
Late last month about 100 French Island residents gathered for a listening session with community and state leaders over the ongoing PFAS crisis.
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So far, more than 500 wells on French Island have been shown to be contaminated with above-recommended levels of PFAS, a toxic group of “forever chemicals” that are believed to have stemmed from the La Crosse Regional Airport.
This initiative has passed elsewhere. In the spring 2021 elections, voters in Marquette County (73%), Portage County (77%) and Wood County (76%) approved referendums. The Monroe County Board has approved a resolution on the right to clean water.
In Photos: The Great River Road in Wisconsin and Minnesota
A motorist drives along the Great River Road along I-90 north of La Crescent.
A view of the Mississippi River from I-90 along the Great River Road.
A view of the Mississippi River from I-90 along the Great River Road.
A view of the Mississippi River from Hwy. 61 along the Great River Road.
A boat is seen on the Mississippi River from Hwy. 61 north of La Crescent.
A sign for the Great River Road is seen along I-90 north of La Crescent.
A scenic overlook on the Great River Road along HWY 61 in Minn. offers a view of Perot State Park in Wis. across the Mississippi River.
A scenic overlook on the Great River Road along HWY 61 in Minn. offers a view of Perot State Park in Wis.
US Lock and Dam 8 in Genoa, Wis. is among the many landmarks that can be seen when traveling the Great River Road.
The vast expanse of the Upper Mississippi River is seen from a scenic outlook above Hwy. 35 north of Genoa.
The vast expanse of the Upper Mississippi River is seen from a scenic outlook above Hwy. 35 north of Genoa.
Bluffs tower over Hwy. 35 along the Great River Road on the outskirts of Stoddard, Wis.
Fisherman on the Mississippi River and bluffs in Minnesota beyond are seen from Hwy. 35 south of La Crosse on the Great River Road.
A sign marks the route for the Great River Road along Hwy. 35 in Stoddard, Wis.
