Ag Nonpoint Source

DATCP is hosting SNAP+ and Nutrient Management Plan workshops the first week of September.  Take a look at the agenda for a location near you.  There will also be an opportunity to review a summary of the proposed 590 nutrient management standard language.  Click HERE for the complete 590 and Technical Note draft. Visit the DATCP Nutrient Management web page for more info.   Following the review process, DATCP will take the 590 standard to public hearing and go through the rule process to incorporate it into Wisconsin Administrative Codes, ATCP 50 and ATCP 51 where promulgation could be completed in 2017 or 2018.

Coming October 7, Jacobson Farm Supply and Dodge County NRCS are organizing a cover crop field demo near Knowles.  Contact Marc Bethke, County Conservationist for more information. 

Monitoring

Yahara Watershed Project

DNR has completed 36 fish stations for biotic integrity sampling in the Lake Mendota Watershed.

- Yahara River- 12 stations

- Dorn Creek- 3 stations

- Token Creek- 7 stations

- Pheasant Branch Creek- 5 stations

- Sixmile Creek- 9 stations

Macroinvertebrate collections this fall (late Sept through Nov), at most of these same stations and diatoms for the diatom nutrient index (DNI) sampling at 6 stations (Mid Sept),where volunteers are collecting Total Phosphorus samples (May-Oct).

Citizen Monitoring

Would you like to get involved with water quality, river and lake restoration efforts in your community?  Consider becoming a citizen monitor through our Citizen Based Monitoring Program.  Many communities have already established programs and are looking for additional volunteers.  The following resources provide more information!

- Water Action Volunteers (WAV)

- Rock River Coalition Citizen Monitoring Program

- Citizen Based Monitoring Partnership Program

- Citizen Lake Monitoring Network

- Wisconsin Citizen Based Monitoring Network

For information on volunteering, contact, Kris Stepenuck
Program Coordinator
608-264-8948

Outreach

We are finalizing plans for the October Quarterly Networking forum.  The forum will be in late October, possibly early November at UW Extension in Jefferson.  We're confirming speakers and will send out a formal invitation and agenda early in September.

Rock River Recovery October Quarterly Networking Forum

Farming Solutions for TMDL Implementation

• Networking
• DNR Updates
• Farmer Led Initiatives
• Farmer Expert
• Sustainable Farming - Production, Economics, and Soil Health
• Group Discussion

Stormwater

Did you know that stormwater drains in streets and gutters direct runoff and pollutants to surface waters?  Are you interested in working in your local community to reduce stormwater pollution?  Consider a stormdrain stenciling program in your community - explained HERE by UW Extension.

Reminder:  The WI chapter of the North American Stormwater and Erosion Control Associate (NASWECA) is hosting a Field Event in Rice Lake on September 24, 2015 at Indianhead Technical College & American Excelsior Erosion Lab

Wastewater

New operator certification and treatment plant subclasses became effective July 1, 2015. Please visit our Operator Certification Website for updated study guides and new requirements. The WWOA Annual Conference will be held in Wisconsin Dells the week of October 6th. Registration and program abstracts can be found at the WWOA Website.

The list of WPDES permit holders choosing Adaptive Management or Water Quality Trading as their permit compliance option continues to grow statewide.  There are now five formal projects, with a number of others pending filing or actively exploring these options statewide.  DNR Wastewater Staff and AM/WQT Coordinators are ready to assist our WPDES customers with any of their compliance questions.