Potential Outlines for Background Papers:



These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 1: Should state regulations be changed to make it easier to mine in WI?

• What are the current rules/regulations for mining in WI?

• What’s the goal(s) of current rules/regulations? What is the basis for the current rules/regulations related to mining? (Why are they the rules/regulations?)

• Whose in charge of rules/regulations related to mining?

• What effects do these regulations have on:

o Environment

o Economy

o Community – residents near the mine and other residents affected

• How is ore extracted?

• What resources are gathered? Used to mine?

• Effects of mining

o On the environment

o On the economy

o Short-term effects (in the next few years)

o Long-term effects (after a few decades)

• Who wants to mine in Northern WI?

o what’s the company’s name,

o what can you find out about the company

• Advantages and disadvantages to mining

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 2: How should manure digesters be financed? (Should taxpayers help pay for manure digesters?)

• Define manure digesters

o What are they

o How do they work?

o Types

o Costs for different types/sizes of manure digesters

• How are manure digesters currently funded? (yes, there could be multiple ways and multiple sources of financing)

• Are there benefits/disadvantages to funding manure digesters for

o Farmers

o Community (taxpayers)

o Environment

• Examples?

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 3: How should we stop the spread (or reduce the number) of an invasive species (such as Emerald Ash Borer or Asian Carp)?

• Describe the invasive species and its effects

o What is it?

o Where did it originally come from?

o How did it arrive in WI? (If it hasn’t yet arrived, are there any projections for when it might arrive?)

o Where is it located in WI and/or the US?

o How does it hurt the environment?

o How does it hurt the economy

• Methods for stopping or slowing down its spread. For each method:

o Describe the method

o Effectiveness?

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o In use anywhere?

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 4: How should animal manure be dealt with? (What regulations should we have for animal manure?)

• How much animal manure does WI have to deal with? Types and sizes of farms and effect on amount of manure.

• Effect of animal manure:

o On the environment

o On the economy

o On the nearby community and farm itself

• Current methods for dealing with animal manure. For each method:

o Describe method

o What size farm (number of animals) does this method address?

o Effectiveness?

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

• Describe any new/innovative methods currently being discussed/proposed?

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 5: How close to the water should we build?

• What are the current rules/regulations for building near water?

• What’s the goal(s) of current rules/regulations? What is the basis for current rules/regulations related to building near water? (Why are these the rules/regulations?)

• Whose in charge of rules/regulations related to building near water?

• What effects do these regulations have on:

o Environment

o Economy (could include local economy and development opportunities)

o Community – residents near the water and other residents

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 6: Should homeowners be allowed to feed deer? (What regulations should we have regarding feeding deer?)

• Why do some people feed deer?

• Why do some people bait deer?

• Any data on when and how deer are fed?

• What effects do deer feeding have on:

o Environment

o Economy

o Community

o Deer

• Who makes rules/regulations about feeding deer?

• What are the current rules/regulations about feeding deer?

• What are the current rules/regulations about baiting deer?

• What is/are the goal(s) of the current rules/regulations? What is the basis for the current rules/regulations?

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 7: Is ethanol a good replacement for gasoline?

• Describe ethanol as a fuel source

o What is ethanol?

o How is it made?

o How can it be used as a fuel source?

• Describe current use of ethanol as a fuel

o How widespread is its use?

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Effects on

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

o Costs?

• Describe current use of gasoline

o Data on how much gasoline purchased/used in WI

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

o Costs?

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 8: How should we improve water quality in WI so that fish are safer to eat? (How can we make fish safer to eat in WI?)

• Current status of fish in WI

o Health overall

o Common contaminants or toxins found in fish here

• Sources of fish contamination. For each source:

o Describe how it contaminates the fish

o When did contamination occur (for example, is this contaminant still being added to the environment or is it from the past, but still affecting our fish/water)?

o Effects of the contaminant on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community (people’s health)

▪ Fish (fish’s health)

• Methods for improving water quality and/or fish safety. For each method:

o Describe the method

o Costs?

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community (people’s health)

▪ Fish (fish’s health)

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 9: Should the rules/laws be changed to allow for easier development of wetlands?

• What are wetlands?

o Define

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

• Current status of wetlands in WI – how much land do we have that is considered wetlands?

• Describe current rules/laws related to development near/on wetlands. When were current rules/laws made?

• What are the goals of the current rules/laws? (What is the basis for the law?)

• Who is responsible for making the laws related to wetland development?

• Who is responsible for enforcing laws related to wetland development?

• Are there ways to get exceptions to the law? If so, how?

• What is wetland development?

o Common types of development considered for wetlands?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 10: What is the best method for cleaning up the Fox River?

• Where is the Fox River?

• How did it get contaminated?

• What contaminants need to be cleaned up?

• Who is responsible for paying for the clean up?

• Who is responsible for ensuring that the clean up happens?

• Current status of clean up

• Methods for cleaning Fox River. For each method:

o Describe the method

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Costs

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 11: Should WI power companies invest more in wind power? Should WI expand the number of wind turbines used for wind energy? What should be the regulations regarding wind power?

• Current investment in wind power in WI

o What power companies are invested in wind power?

o How many wind turbines/wind fields does WI currently have?

• What are the current rules/regulations regarding building new wind turbines?

• What are the goals of the current rules/regulations? (What was the basis for these rules/regulations?)

• What are the proposed changes in the last year for where wind turbines can be located? What are the reasons given for wanting to make these changes?

• Wind turbines – what is the effect on:

o Environment

o Economy

o Community

• Advantages and disadvantages of wind turbines

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 12: Is buying into a CSA (community supported agriculture) a good idea for the sustainability of farming in America?

• Describe a CSA

o How does a CSA work?

o Role of farmers

o Role of consumers

o Costs

• Advantages and disadvantages of CSAs

• How does a CSA contribute to improved sustainability?

o Environmentally

o Economically

o Society/Local Community

• Compared to other methods of obtaining produce:

o Grocery stores

o Farmers’ markets

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 13: Should GM (genetically modified) foods be labeled as containing genetic modifications (GMOs)?

• What are genetically modifications organisms?

• What are the most common genetically modified foods?

• How did they start showing up foods?

• What is the benefit of using/growing GMO’s to

o Farmers?

o Consumers?

o Companies creating them or companies using them in their products?

• What affect do GMO’s have on:

o Community (health)

o Economy

o Environment

• Advantages and disadvantages of GMO’s

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 14: Should the cranberry industry make changes in order to protect water quality throughout the state?

• Where in Wisconsin is the cranberry industry mostly located?

• Methods used to farm/grow/produce cranberries?

• How does the cranberry industry potentially harm water quality?

• What are the current rules/regulations for water quality for cranberry farming practices?

• What companies grow their cranberries in Wisconsin?

• Methods for increasing water quality by cranberry farmers to help prevent contamination? For each method:

o Describe the method

o Advantages

o Disadvantages

o Costs

o Effects on

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

• What is the benefit to the

o Community

o Farmers

o Companies purchasing/selling product

o Economy

• Advantages and disadvantages to having cranberry industry in Wisconsin.

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 15: What’s the best way to maintain clean water in Lake Monona?

• Where is Lake Monona?

• What is/are the cause(s) leading to the pollution of Lake Monona?

• What are the current rules/regulations for water quality of Wisconsin lakes?

• Who’s in charge of rules/regulation of water quality in Lake Monona?

• Who is responsible for ensuring that the clean up/maintenance of Lake Monona is upheld?

• Current status of cleanliness?

• Methods for keeping it clean?

o Describe methods

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Costs?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment (fish, wildlife, etc.)

▪ Economy (tourism, recreational usage, etc.)

▪ Community (residents near Lake Monona, recreational activities, etc.)

• What affects would these regulations have on:

o Environment (fish, wildlife, etc.)

o Economy (tourism, recreational usage, etc.)

o Community (residents near Lake Monona, recreational activities, etc.)

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 16: Is the convenience and potential health benefits of bottled water worth the damage it causes ecosystems? (damage from additional landfill waste, creation of plastic bottles, etc)

• How do they manufacture the bottles themselves? What products are used?

• What resources are needed to create them?

• Costs for creating bottles?

• Are there any rules/regulations for producing the product?

• Where does the water come from that go into the bottles?

• What is the benefit to the

o Community

o Farmers

o Companies purchasing/selling product

o Economy

o Consumer

• Advantages and disadvantages

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 17: Should more ethanol plants be built in WI?

• Current investment in ethanol plants built/being built in WI

o What power companies are invested in ethanol plants?

o How many ethanol plants does WI currently have?

• What are the current rules/regulations regarding building new ethanol plants?

• What are the goals of the current rules/regulations? (What was the basis for these rules/regulations?)

• What are the reasons given for wanting to produce ethanol?

• Ethanol plants – what is the effect on:

o Environment

o Economy

o Community

• Advantages and disadvantages of ethanol plants

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 18: Should the state of WI continue to partially fund and require that all communities to offer recycling to their residents?

• How is recycling funded in Wisconsin?

• Current status of recycling in WI? How many recycling centers do we have?

• Describe current rules/laws related to recycling. When were current rules/laws made?

• What are the goals of the current rules/laws? (What is the basis for the law?)

• Who is responsible for making the laws related to recycling in the state of WI?

• Who is responsible for enforcing laws related to recycling? Costs?

• Are there ways to get exceptions to the law? If so, how?

• What methods are used for recycling? For each method:

o Describe methods

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Costs?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

• Why has the state of WI continued to fund recycling?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

• Advantages and disadvantages to:

o Partially funding recycling

o Requirement that all communities offer recycling

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 19: (How) Should wolves be hunted in WI?

• Why were wolves endangered in WI?

• Current status of wolves in WI?

• What are wolves primary source of food in WI?

• Who wants to open a hunting season on wolves in WI? Why?

• Methods for hunting wolves? For each method:

o Describe the method

o Costs?

o Advantages?

o Disadvantages?

o Effects on:

▪ Environment

▪ Economy

▪ Community

• Advantages and disadvantages to hunting wolves in WI?

These are just possibilities for organizing information to include in background papers. They are certainly not the only way that the paper could be organized.

**Note: Remember all sources used must be cited using MLA format.

Question 20: Should companies that run oil pipelines through our state face stricter regulations in light of recent pipeline breakages?

• What are the current rules/regulations regarding building oil pipelines?

• What are the goals of the current rules/regulations for maintenance? Safety? (What was the basis for these rules/regulations?)

• Who is responsible for making/regulating the laws/rules for pipelines?

• Current investment in pipelines built/being built in WI

o What companies are invested in pipelines?

o How many pipelines are currently running through WI?

• What are the reasons/purposes given for needing/wanting them?

• Oil Pipelines – what is the effect on:

o Environment

o Economy

o Community

• Advantages and disadvantages of running pipelines through WI?

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