Letter: Residents push for transparency on gas station plan over shared groundwater
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To the Editor-
I’m reaching out on behalf of residents in the Village Green neighborhood of Stevens Point regarding a proposed gas station near Hoover Road and County Highway HH. Below is a short statement from neighbors outlining why we believe this issue deserves public attention.
We are a concerned neighborhood in Stevens Point, trying to protect something that belongs to all of us: clean drinking water.
A gas station has been proposed at the corner of Hoover Road and County Highway HH in an area that sits over a shared groundwater system and within a wellhead protection zone — land specifically designated to safeguard drinking water wells serving our community.
The Village of Whiting prohibits gas stations within a mile of its wells due to groundwater risk, while Stevens Point — the City of Wonderful Water — allows them under certain conditions, even though the groundwater beneath our communities is the same shared resource.
When decisions affect drinking water, the safest approach is to listen to groundwater experts and rely on full, transparent data. Groundwater contamination is difficult to reverse, which is why prevention — not guesswork — matters.
This is an opportunity for Stevens Point to show leadership by working in step with neighboring communities to protect the water we all share.
We understand the land is now zoned commercial. But zoning is not the end of responsible decision-making — it is the beginning. Conditional use review exists specifically to steer higher-risk uses away from sensitive places, and shared drinking water is about as sensitive as it gets.
If there are other nearby locations where a gas station could operate without putting shared groundwater at risk, we believe it is reasonable to ask: why here?
With the Stevens Point Planning and Zoning Plan Commission scheduled to vote on this conditional use permit on Feb. 2, followed by the Common Council meeting on Feb. 16, neighbors feel an urgent need for clearer information before decisions move forward.
We recognize Kwik Trip’s longstanding reputation as a responsible company and a good neighbor in the communities it serves.
Our neighborhood would welcome the opportunity to meet with Kwik Trip representatives to share what we’ve learned about groundwater protection and better understand how groundwater risks are being evaluated for this site.
We believe open conversation — grounded in science, transparency, and shared stewardship — is the best path forward.
Residents are available to answer questions or provide additional context.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Savannah Hebior
Village Green Neighborhood
Stevens Point