The Milwaukee TMDL report, accompanying allocations, and
material were officially submitted to EPA in mid-October. The TMDL development team has worked closely with the EPA throughout the development process and been receiving feedback from EPA to facilitate preparation of the draft TMDL. The team will work closely with EPA to respond to any comments or requests. US EPA typically has 60 days to review draft TMDL's, though this can take longer with staffing and backlog issues.
TMDL Implementation
The TMDL Development Team is meeting in December to discuss the transition from TMDL development to implementation. Updates
from each of these teams will also continue to be provided in future
editions of this newsletter. If you would like to be added to one of the
teams to receive updates, please contact the sector team leads under the "DNR Contacts" section
of this newsletter, located in the lower left panel.
Leaf Management
The draft guidance "Interim Municipal Phosphorus Reduction Credit for Leaf Management Programs” is open for comment until November 20, 2017 on the Proposed DNR Program Guidance webpage.
This has been developed to clarify the circumstances under which a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permittee in a watershed with an approved total maximum daily load (TMDL) for phosphorus may take numeric credit for reducing phosphorus discharge in urban storm water through fall leaf collection in Medium Density Residential land use areas
Compost for Storm Water Management
The final "Compost for Storm Water Management S100" standard and response to comments is now available on the Proposed DNR program guidance webpage.
The "Compost for Storm Water Management S100" standard was revised to more closely match s. NR 502.12(16), Wis. Adm. Code, to provide certification, and to brought statewide availability for compost for storm water management.
Ditch Check – Technical Standard 1062
Draft guidance concerning storm water is now available for review and comment on the Proposed DNR Program Guidance webpage. "Ditch Check – Technical Standard 1062” is open for comment until November 13, 2017.
Construction Site Soil Loss
The final revised "Construction Site Soil Loss and Sediment Discharge Calculation Guidance" and associated “Soil and Sediment Discharge Calculations Tool,” “Site Evaluation for Storm Water Infiltration Technical Standard 1002,” and responses to comments are now available on the Proposed DNR program guidance webpage.
NOTE: The revised guidance and tool are expected to be used in all permit submittals by January 1, 2018. Please update your downloaded guidance document (rev. September 2017) and spreadsheet tool (WDNR Version 2.0 rev. 06-29-2017) as soon as possible. These final documents can also be found on the DNR’s storm water publications and guidance webpage.
Stormwater Infiltration
The “Evaluation for Storm Water Infiltration - Technical Standard 1002” has been updated. The technical standard can be found on the DNR’s storm water post-construction technical standards webpage.
Chuck Weeks, of Weeks Farm Partners, has a farm located on the border between Wis. and Ill. in Sharon, Wis. Weeks Farm Partners practice no-till and strip-till, growing corn and soybeans. Weeks is also a strong advocate for soil health and using cover crops, with roughly 600 acres in cover crop during winter 2017. Read more to find out how NRCS provided soil health practice assistance. Read more (1 MB pdf)
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Sector Team
While the Monitoring Sector Team has not yet formally met, numerous partners, along with WDNR biologists and monitoring staff, continue to be engaged in monitoring efforts throughout the greater Milwaukee Basin. If you are interested in participating in the monitoring team, please contact Rachle Sabre.
The Milwaukee TMDL's are the first in Wisconsin to include targets for bacteria (fecal and e-coli) in the state. Unlike the Phosphorus and TSS constituents (which utilize allocations and a percent reduction approach), bacteria are addressed using a load-duration approach. This method is recommended by US EPA and may present some new challenges as we move forward into TMDL Implmentation.
Citizen Monitoring
WDNR encourages our citizens to be engaged and participate in monitoring of water quality for our lakes, streams, and rivers. Do you have a creek in your backyard? A favorite lake nearby? A wetland at your school? All of these provide opportunities for citizens to learn about our aquatic ecosystems and help meet our water quality goals for the state. Check out the following resources for more information.
The Water Action Volunteers Stream Monitoring Program (WAV) incorporates three levels of participation for citizen scientists who are interested in monitoring local streams: Introductory (Level 1), Status and Trends (Level 2), and Special Projects Monitoring (Level 3). A primary objective of introductory monitoring is to increase public understanding of watersheds and how human uses of the land impact stream quality, while building a baseline of basic water quality information. Data collected help to identify acute issues in wadeable streams. Since everyone initiates participation at this level, volunteers are able to gauge interest in becoming more involved, and trust is able to be built with DNR staff who commonly partner with volunteers at other levels.
The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network, the core of the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, creates a bond between over 1000 citizen volunteers statewide and the Wisconsin DNR. The goals are to collect high quality trophic status data, to complete water quality assessments on lakes, to educate and empower volunteers, and to share this data and knowledge.
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Learn about the state of our three rivers: the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic. Milwaukee River Keeper will tell you about the new initiatives they’ve launched in 2017 to protect, restore, connect and advocate for clean water in our river basin and how you can get involved!
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is hosting this year’s meeting at the View at Evolution (1023 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53202) from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Light food will be provided with a cash bar.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the process of developing an electronic reporting tool (“eReporting”) for the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Annual Reporting requirement and other compliance documents. Coming December 2017, all permitted municipalities submitting MS4 permit documents, including the Annual Report, will have access to the online system.
The eReporting system is being developed to:
- Allow for online submittal of MS4 annual reports, forms, and other documents directly to the DNR
- Provide electronic storage of MS4 submittals
- Support DNR’s efforts to meet EPA’s electronic reporting requirement
Internal testing will begin soon, and external testing is planned for November.
Please watch for more GovDelivery notifications and the MS4 eReporting webpage for additional information and resources.
The Sustainable Strategies Webinar Series is a free monthly webinar series for Municipal professionals. Join us every third Thursday from 12pm-1pm for presentations on timely sustainability topics. The Sustainable Strategies Webinar Series is produced by the Wisconsin Green Tier Legacy Communities and the Wisconsin Counties Association. Support is provided by UW-Extension's Regional Natural Resources Education Program and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Offered since 2010, this is currently the only erosion control course offered in Wisconsin that provides WISCONSIN-BASED rules and regulations education to Engineers, Site Managers, Site Superintendents, Contractor Superintendents and Foremen, BMP Installers and Inspectors.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2017, 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Metropolitan Builders Association
N16w23321 Stone Ridge Dr.
Waukesha, WI 53188
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Permit Compliance Options and Sector Team Activities
With
the Milwaukee Basin TMDLs being finalized, we are preparing to incorporate TMDL
consistent limits and schedules in new and reissued permits. In addition,
many communities and counties have questions about Water Quality Trading (WQT), Adaptive Management (AM), and the Multi-Discharge Variance (MDV).
Our staff are happy to participate in community
meetings to further explore options and facilitate partnership
opportunities. We recently met with numerous partners in Ozaukee
County to discuss WQT, AM and the MDV and partnering with counties and farmers
to develop watershed projects to reduce Phosphorus loading. Contact your
local compliance staff or Bryan Hartsook if you would like to organize a
community meeting in your area.
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