Environmental Pioneer Passes Away

10/20/11 – Wisconsin’s first environmental public intervener has died. 84-year-old Bob McConnell of Cambria died yesterday from complications of lung cancer. He was best known for leading the state’s legal battle against the insecticide D-D-T. The Legislature voted to ban the toxic chemical in 1970 – and a national ban came along two years later. Environmentalists said the D-D-T ban ultimately saved Wisconsin’s bald eagle population. McConnell started working for the state attorney general’s office in the early 1960’s. He was named the state’s first public intervener in 1967 – a watchdog who protected people’s interest in water regulations and other environmental matters. McConnell was raised in the Milwaukee area, but he lived in Cambria for 35 years. His funeral will be held Saturday in Pardeeville.