Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) and the River Alliance of Wisconsin (RAW) are jointly seeking a Development and Administrative Assistant. The individual will be a part-time, hourly employee of both organizations. Hours per week between the two organizations are expected to range from 20-24 hours. For priority consideration, apply by September 27, 2026.
Trump Promises Action on PFAS, But Actions Speak Louder than Words
An April press release from the Trump EPA touting “major actions to combat PFAS contamination” is notable for its tone, which contrasts sharply with Trump’s radical and dangerous pro-polluter policies.
Looking beyond the rhetoric, the Trump administration has actually taken several steps that will leave Americans more exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals. These harmful actions speak louder than words.
The Trump EPA has already:
The April announcement was clearly a political maneuver aimed at changing the narrative. The administration likely knows it is political poison to be seen as responsible for enabling the continued contamination of America’s drinking water.
The reality is that the dismantling of the EPA and other federal agencies will result in increased disease and shortened lives due to PFAS and other toxic chemicals now and in the future.
The wild and chaotic actions—and mixed messages about PFAS—show the Trump EPA is not serious about governing or taking responsibility for addressing enormously challenging issues like PFAS contamination.
For the foreseeable future, any significant progress on PFAS will need to occur at the state level, where local and state governments and agencies can take the initiative to implement stricter regulations and protective measures.
In Wisconsin, we have a head start because all water utilities in the state have been testing for PFAS since 2023, and many communities have already taken action to eliminate PFAS from drinking water.
However, similar to the interference from the Trump Administration regarding federal action on PFAS, legislative Republicans in Wisconsin have been catering to PFAS polluters by preventing the establishment of groundwater protections to assist families that rely on private wells. In addition, legislative Republicans are trying to weaken our state’s Spills Law, which is the primary source of accountability for those responsible for PFAS contamination, and to prevent the release of funding to assist communities affected by PFAS contamination.
When even the erratic Trump administration tries to look like it’s doing something about PFAS, it should really make Wisconsin legislative Republicans think twice about standing in the way of making progress here. We need the state officials to fill the void that is being created by the dismantling of the EPA and to take responsibility for protecting Wisconsin communities from PFAS. They can do so by quickly authorizing groundwater standards, supporting strong implementation of the Spills Law, and releasing the PFAS funds.
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The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will meet on September 23 in Sturgeon Bay. We’re asking you to attend — in person or via Zoom — and urge the Board to take action to revoke Enbridge’s reroute construction permit. If you aren’t able to attend the meeting, you can submit a written comment.
We’re hiring!
Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) and the River Alliance of Wisconsin (RAW) are jointly seeking a Development and Administrative Assistant. The individual will be a part-time, hourly employee of both organizations. Hours per week between the two organizations are expected to range from 20-24 hours. For priority consideration, apply by September 27, 2026.
Enbridge Defies Wisconsin Regulators in a Race to Complete Unauthorized Pipeline Construction
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Legal Victory! Court Dismisses Citation in Shorewood Beach Trespassing Case
Today, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court dismissed a trespassing citation issued to MEA client Paul Florsheim for walking along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the Village of Shorewood. The court found that Mr. Florsheim’s walk was a protected activity under the public trust doctrine and that the Village could not enforce its trespass ordinance against him.
New documentary follows Wisconsin youth who are suing the state over climate change
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LEGAL VICTORY! State regulators must strengthen environmental oversight of Pierce County livestock operation
MEA clients in Pierce County have won a major victory in a three-year fight to protect their community from the impacts of a major expansion at Ridge Breeze Dairy. On August 24, an administrative law judge ruled that a DNR permit allowing the farm to expand its herd to more than 6,000 cows failed to ensure compliance with Wisconsin’s groundwater quality standards.