Neumann defends wetlands stance. (Rep. Mark Neumann)(Focus on Environmental Issues)

An environmental group accuses U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann of trying to destroy wetlands with development. But the Janesville Republican says he is just trying to rein in a federal bureaucracy trying to make rules on its own.

The Sierra Club has dubbed the bill, HR 2155, the "Flood Our Families Act." The environmental group contends that the legislation would cause more property damage from floods, such as those that hit the Milwaukee area in June.

"What we're saying is that we need to start restoring wetlands...rather than allowing more wetlands to be developed," said Brett Hulsey, director of the Sierra Club's Madison office.

Neumann, a candidate for the seat of Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, introduced a bill this year to reverse a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rule that tightened the permitting process for developing in wetlands in flood …