Plans are being finalized for the exciting Rock River Coalition event, "Testing the Waters - A Paddle and Probe Adventure". This amazing multi-day paddling, networking, and educational adventure provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to learn more about our Rock River basin, and even meander along the journey with our student-scientists from UW Whitewater. There are numerous opportunities for our basin community to participate in the multi-day floating science extravaganza including (but not limited to);
- river side events,
- paddle along stretches of the voyage,
- business sponsorship support,
- helping with event logistics,
- and MUCH MORE!
Check out THIS BROCHURE for details. Please contact Suzanne Wade if you would like to volunteer, sponsor, or participate in the event.
Wednesday March 16th - check out the "Ag Resource Day" in Oconomowoc sponsored by a number of our watershed partners in the Lake Country.
A farm transition and succession planning workshop to help farm families utilize the available tools to ensure their farm business is successfully transferred to the next generation will be presented by University of Wisconsin-Extension Walworth County on March 8. The workshop will be held at the UW-Extension Office in the Government Center on 100 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn and begins at 9 a.m.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension is offering a series of conferences for Women in Agriculture throughout Wisconsin during the months of February, March and April 2016. Topics in the upcoming workshops include: Dairy Outlook, Beekeeping, Google Apps, Retirement Planning, Multi-Enterprise Farm Issues, Water Quality and Nutrient Management, Cow/Calf topics, Human Resources, and wine and cheese tastings.
4R Certification
The 4R certification program for Certified Crop Advisers is available in Wisconsin. The ICCA is now offering a new 4R Certification program. Practices in a 4R program can potentially be funded through Adaptive Management and Water Quality Trading projects.
Training for Nutrient Management Planners
Training for Nutrient Management Planners is a self-paced seven hour online video series and a one day face-to-face, follow-up workshop. The video series is available through April 15. March 7 is the next SNAP+ and Nutrient Management Plannning workshop at Chippewa Technical College. Click HERE for a full listing of locations and dates.
Farmland Preservation
DATCP has prepared this FAQ to answer common questions about soil and water conservation requirements of the Farmland Preservation Program.
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Yahara Citizen Monitoring Meeting
On Saturday, March 5th, the Rock River Coalition (RRC) will host a meeting for volunteer stream monitors working in the Yahara River watershed. Results from our successful volunteer stream monitoring program will be presented along with a number of water quality topics.
This meeting will be at the Fitchburg Community Center. Morning sessions (9:00am to 11:45am) are open to the general public - click for a full agenda . Pre-registration is required. If interested in attending, please contact: Nancy Sheehan, nancy@rockrivercoalition.org.
New EPA Biological Condition Technical Guidance
US EPA has just issued their new "2016 Practitioner’s Guide to the Biological Condition Gradient: A Framework to Describe Incremental Change in Aquatic Ecosystems" This is an excellent resource and innovative approach to measuring and tracking biologic condition and change trajectories. Check out the website here for more info, or the Fact Sheet.
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The Education and Outreach Sector Team has been having regular meetings to draft the next version of the Rock River Recovery E&O Plan. Once the draft plan is completed, there will be an opportunity for review and feedback to be incorporated into the final plan. Contact Joe Van Rossum or Mark Riedel if you would like to be added to the team, receie meeting notifications, and participate in the process.
Watershed Projects Quarterly Forum
Mark your calendars for our next Quarterly Networking Forum, "Local Implementation for Water Quality Restoration".
This forum will focus on providing information and networking opportunities to facilitate the implementation of watershed and water quality restoration efforts by local groups, lake associations/districts, watershed organizations, counties, and community stakeholder groups. Click to download a copy of the agenda (PDF).
Space is limited to 70, please RSVP to reserve your spot.
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A citizen community group and local schooles in Watertown are leading an initiative to develop the Dot Steinhorst Micro-park on vacant property adjacent to the Rock River. The eco-micro-park will capture water, carbon, phosphorus, road salts and filter stormwater pollutants and includes a number of amenities, some of which are;
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DNR Stormwater Publications & Guidance
These publications and guidance documents provide technical assistance for developing soil erosion control and storm water management plans; designing storm water management practices; practicing pollution prevention; and planning public education programs.
UW Extension Urban Runoff Resources
UW Extension has gathered a collection of stormwater runoff related references and resources.
Phosphorus / Sector Team Workshops
Department staff completed the first round of TMDL WPDES permits for the Rock River basin last summer. Staff are now working on the remaining permits and with facilities as permits come up for renewal. We anticipate holding more working meetings and workshops in 2016. If you have specific questions about your facility or permit, please contact your WDNR Wastewater Engineer.
Multi-Discharger Variance
The Mutli-Discharger Variance is still undergoing review with US EPA and the Department is waiting to hear the results. Updates will be posted to the MDV website. At this time, the Department does not have an estimated timeline.
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March 14: Healthy Watersheds Consortium A partnership of the U.S. Endowment and the Environmental Protection Agency
April 1: DATCP Producer Led Watershed Protection Project Grants
April 15: WI DNR Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management Grants
May 1: DNR Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program Urban Rivers Grants
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