Evers announces new wetland project in Brillion

The following press release was issued to The Brillion News on July 9. The announcement from Evers comes less than a week after he line-item vetoed funding for dredging in the Brillion area.

MADISON – The Evers Administration today announced it is embarking on a wetland project through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), together with the help of Ducks Unlimited, on the North Branch of the Manitowoc River on the northwest side of the Brillion State Wildlife Area in Calumet County.

The Evers Administration has been working to support this wetland project using largely existing and readily available state resources, and today's announcement is the culmination of months of work, which includes providing key investments to support the project. As the Evers Administration had already worked to secure the necessary resources to move this project forward, Gov. Tony Evers last week rejected a last-minute effort by the Wisconsin State Legislature that would have changed the funding source for this project, opting instead to use existing state resources the administration had already spent months planning to use on the wetland project.

This project aims to remove the excess cattail mats and sediment in portions of the channel and improve flow within the river and the surrounding marsh. The river channel has become closed off due to the presence of dense mats of invasive and hybrid cattail. As a result, these thick mats are slowing stream flow and degrading habitat quality for waterfowl and other species of wildlife.

Once the project is completed, the improved stream flow will promote the reestablishment of native wetland plants and open water areas on the property, which will result in increased waterfowl use. Other benefits include improved public accessibility by canoe or kayak into the marsh for waterfowl hunters, bird watchers and other recreational activities.

The project will be funded by a mix of state Waterfowl Stamp funding which was awarded to the project by the Waterfowl Advisory Committee in April as well as a portion of the DNR's Wildlife Management program's Segregated Conservation funds designated for development projects. Gov. Evers in his 2025-27 Executive Budget proposed providing additional funding to the DNR to help support similar projects. Despite the Wisconsin State Legislature's decision to reject Gov. Evers' proposal to provide increased additional funding for this purpose, the DNR utilizes base funding each biennium to advance high-priority projects across the state. Thanks to the Waterfowl Advisory Committee award of waterfowl stamp funding and the availability of state funding at the DNR, along with this project's priority level, an earmark recently added by the Legislature to use GPR funds for this project was unnecessary and ultimately removed from the state budget by Gov. Evers, ensuring available funding sources can be maximized for high-priority environmental management work in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited staff will assist the DNR by providing project design and leading construction contracting and oversight. The DNR and Ducks Unlimited plan to begin engineering work for the project this fall, and dredging is anticipated to begin in 2026 pending engineering details, site conditions and contracting.

The extent of the hydrologic improvements is anticipated to be limited to wetlands within the west side of the Brillion Wildlife Area and the surrounding private lands. The DNR has been communicating with adjacent landowners on the west side of the property, who are also supportive of the project. Preliminary plans include dredging an area that is approximately 1,100 linear feet in length, 15-20 feet wide and roughly 3.5 - 4 feet deep along the channel. The dredged materials will be relocated and spread on an adjacent upland prairie grass field.

Republican Rep. Ron Tusler issued the following press release in response.

“This funding is the direct result of the tireless pressure Brillion residents put on the DNR. Let’s be clear: Governor Evers tried to block this project for purely partisan reasons. He ignored Brillion’s farmers and families.

“Since Governor Evers’ 1:30 AM veto, I’ve worked closely with local stakeholders who never gave up on this effort, and their voices made all the difference. I want to personally thank everyone who contacted the DNR and fought to make this project a priority.

“I will not trust Governor Evers’ word until the project is done. I have been assured that it will happen this legislative cycle, ending December 2026. The DNR will be hiring a private contractor through the bidding process. I will keep a close eye on every part of this project. We cannot let the families who live and work near the river suffer unnecessary and destructive flooding that costs them thousands of dollars and threatens their way of life.

“I’m thrilled the DNR finally came through, but let’s not forget how we got here. Governor Evers vetoed this funding while keeping similar projects untouched. He claimed it was because of the timing of the passage of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. I support funding the Knowles-Nelson, but its funding is a foregone conclusion. He had some other reason to veto our simple project. Any attempt by the Governor to now take credit for this project is disingenuous. The credit belongs entirely to the Brillion farmers, families, and local leaders who stood up and demanded action.

"The Brillion dredging project, originally approved by both the Senate and the Assembly in the state budget, was created to support more than 100 farmers whose land floods every year due to river backup. Governor Evers stripped the project from the budget using his broad line-item veto powers at 1:30 AM. This vital effort will restore the river’s flow, protect farmland from recurring losses, and reopen the Brillion Marsh to kayakers and outdoor enthusiasts who cherish this natural resource."