Phase One Implementation

In March, 1999, DNR Sec. George Meyer and Bavarian StateMinister Dr. Werner Schnappauf identified phase one areas of focus:

• General business: Wisconsin businesses are invited to learn of Bavaria's "regulatory substitution" policies through the application of credible environmental management systems.
• Pulp and Paper: Wisconsin's paper industry is invited to explore how mills in Bavaria use different approaches and European systems to achieve pollution prevention and control.
• Energy and Utilities: Wisconsin electric utilities are invited to confer with Bavarian utilities on environmental benchmarking, NOx control and making decisions on energy mix.
• Auto: Wisconsin suppliers to BMW are invited to participate in BMW's supply chain environmental management system. Regulatory innovation authorized by Wisconsin law is possible.
• Food processing: A Wisconsin food processing facility is invited to experiment with integration of food, safety and environmental systems for greater efficiency and protection. Regulatory innovation authorized in Wisconsin law is possible.
• Rivers: Wisconsin river interests and communities are invited to join DNR in applying Bavaria's 25 years of successful river restoration activities and experience to our state.
• Academic: UW-Madison is developing agreements with Univ. of Bayreuth and Technical Univ. of Munich on environmental problem-solving between the European Union and US, landscape management, riverscape planning and industrial ecology.
• Communities: Facilitated by the WI Alliance of Cities and DNR, attempts are underway to forge sustainable community partnerships between like-minded Wisconsin and Bavarian communities.

The Phase One Accomplishment Report [PDF 26KB] is available.

"This is a remarkable partnership"
Jonathan Lash, Pres. World Resources Institute, 3/10/99

"The principle behind our agreement is simple: think ecologically and act economically."
Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, 12/1/98

"The globalization of industry implies that the standards and instructions of environmental policies should be globalized."
Bavarian StateMinister Dr. Werner Schnappauf, 12/1/98

"The German Federal State of Bavaria has done the most work in Europe on alternative regulatory programs."
Business & Environment's Global Analysis, Feb. 1998

For more information on Phrase One, check out the following:

• Implementation Plan
• Remarks From Gov. Tommy Thompson
• Statement by Minister Schnappauf
• Remarks by George Meyer
• Sustainable Communities Project
• Articles
  • Wisc. Governor Signs Historic EMS Agreement with Bavaria [PDF 21KB]
  • Wisconsin, Bavaria Sign First international innovations Pact [PDF 19KB]
  • Benevolent Judgment and Actions [PDF 21KB]

or contact:

Jeff Smoller
e-mail: Jeffrey.Smoller@wisconsin.gov
Phone: 608.266.2747