Kind vows more action on PFAS at French Island

La Crosse’s Congressman is pursuing state and federal relief programs for families on French Island who have found PFAS in their well water. 

Democrat Ron Kind, who also lives on French Island, met with island residents on Thursday to talk about problems that have resulted from water pollution caused by the hazardous chemicals.

Kind says he will call for a national standard for acceptable levels of PFAS in water supplies, pointing out that tainted water is found throughout Wisconsin.

“There are hot spots all over the state, all over the country,” Kind said. “Rather than have this a competition from region to region, we need to approach it, we’re all in this together.”    

The PFAS in French Island water have been traced mainly to firefighting foam used for decades at the La Crosse airport.  

Town chairman Josh Johnson says having PFAS chemicals in the local water has broad effects on the economy, especially tourism on the river.    

Campbell resident Christopher Donahue is upset that some people are blocking attempts to remedy the problem.

“It’s hard to think that there are people that are actively trying to get us less money,” said Donahue. “People that are actively trying to shut us down and have us not move forward. Some of those people have lawyers that fly in on private jets.”

Donahue says he wonders what level of PFAS chemicals are already in his body.