Caution is urged with environmental dealings with Foxconn.

Just as we urge state officials and legislators to be careful with the financial aspects of the deal that could bring Taiwan manufacturer Foxconn to southeast Wisconsin, so we urge them to be careful on the environmental aspects.

Yes, some breaks under the special electronic manufacturing zone the state will create for Foxconn are warranted, especially those designed to merely streamline the process. But don’t let that streamlining result in relaxing the state’s standards on air and water quality to the point where serious environmental harm could occur. As with the finances, don’t give away the farm (or the CAFO) on a deal that could fail to meet expectations. State Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), co-chairman of the Legislature’s budget committee, told Journal Sentinel reporter Lee Bergquist that the overarching goal is to speed up the state’s environmental review of the project so it can get started quickly.

“To be clear, they still have to meet all the federal guidelines,” Nygren said.

And a DNR spokesman said Foxconn would still fall under state environmental regulation.

“The bill does not give a company within ‘electronics and information technology manufacturing zone’ a free pass on the environment,” spokesman Jim Dick said in a statement.

“State and federal air, water quality, solid and hazardous waste standards are required to be met.”

But environmental groups have started raising objections to the legislative package that would exempt Foxconn from some environmental regulations, Bergquist reported Tuesday.

“The measures exempt the company from state wetlands regulations and an extensive environmental analysis that some other large projects are subject to,” Bergquist reported. “The analysis, known as an environmental impact statement, could add up to a year to the company’s timetable.”

“Rolling back environmental protections to encourage business development in Wisconsin, that’s a red flag for us,” Jonathan Drewsen, a spokesman for Clean Wisconsin, told Bergquist.

Both Clean Wisconsin and Midwest Environmental Advocates said the package would weaken protections and limit transparency for the project, which is expected to cover 1,000 acres.

They worry that allowing Foxconn to be exempted from state regulations could leave the company free to destroy wetlands that are only regulated by the state — those that are isolated and not connected to a stream, lake or river that is navigable, Bergquist reported.

But the fact that Walker’s proposal boosts the amount of wetlands compensation the company would be required to make is good news. State officials say Foxconn would be required to create new wetlands as a ratio of 2 to 1 — two acres of wetlands would be created for every one acre lost. Under current law, the ratio is 1.2 acres created for every acre lost.

And, of course, where the facility will be built will make all the difference. Foxconn has yet to choose a site.

Still, although much remains to be settled, lawmakers should pay attention to the environmental concerns. And it’s best to address those concerns while the special legislation is being created.

No one wants to stop Foxconn from bringing thousands of jobs to the state. But the governor’s office and lawmakers need to ensure that, as with any other company and any other project, there is no irreparable damage to the environment.