 We’re going virtual!
- Join us for the 2020 CRCL Conference on November 11th, 12th, & 13th!
Register Here: Nov 11, 12, & 13th - Online
Participants from nonprofit, government, business and academic organizations gather each year for the Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference to learn about improving the health of our watersheds. We may not be able to gather in person like we have in the past, but in this world of social distancing, it is more important than ever for us to collaborate and connect however possible!
Therefore, the Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust (aka Sweet Water) is excited to announce that the Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference is adapting to the current public health crisis by going VIRTUAL.
Over the course of three days (2.5 hrs/day) in November, we will be exploring topics in RESILIENCY. Each day we will consider a current or expected threat to our water resources and learn from experts about the latest research and work being done to combat or prepare for this challenge.
Our staff and planning committee are hard at work, creating an engaging multi-media program! Stay tuned for more updates and ways to get involved in the months leading up to this special event!
Since publication of the October newsletter, final revisions were made to the draft Menomonee River Watershed Plan. DNR is working with plan partners to address remaining edits needed to satisfy the nine key elements for watershed restoration.
The following nine key elements for watershed restoration plans have been formally approved and can guide implementation:
Sector Team Updates
Madison, Wis. – October 19, 2020 – Farmers and forest landowners will want to plan ahead and sign up early for USDA conservation funding. Angela Biggs, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist in Wisconsin, announced farmers and forest landowners interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) need to apply by November 20, 2020, for funding in 2021. Applications are being taken by all USDA Service Centers in Wisconsin. Read more...
The schedule for the Wisconsin Pest Management Update meeting series is listed below. The format will be different this year because of COVID-19. Presentations will include pest management information for Wisconsin field and forage crops. FREE EVENT! 2 CEU Credits in pest management have been approved for each session!
Speakers will include Mark Renz, Nick Arneson, and Rodrigo Werle, Weed Scientists, Damon Smith, Plant Pathologist, and Bryan Jensen, Entomologist.
Schedule:
Tuesday, November 10, 9:00-11:00 AM
Moderator: Jerry Clark, Chippewa County Agriculture Educator
Wednesday, November 11, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Moderator: George Koepp, Columbia County Agriculture Educator
Thursday, November 12, 1:00-3:00 PM
Moderator: Josh Kamps, Lafayette County Agriculture Educator
Nov 5 - 10:00 a.m.
Soil itself is a living ecosystem, home to organisms from plant roots, microbes, and fungi, to earthworms, all interacting with each other, and aiding nutrient and water availability to plant life.
Join us to explore how the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil affect that ecosystem, in our virtual field trip on Soil Health. Learn about research-based soil health practices taught by our University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Soils Instructor and hear from the Arkansas Soil Health Alliance and a local farmer about their real-life experiences with improving soil health.
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Restoration of 60 Acres of Wetlands in Mount Pleasant Launches the "Meachem Preserve"
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) are proud to announce the start of a wetland restoration project in the Village of Mount Pleasant. The project, located east of Meachem Road and Sanders Park, will restore 60 acres of wetlands to near pre-settlement conditions as part of a DNR grant: the In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program.
The restoration of the existing agricultural field will be completed with funds from the Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust (WWCT). The WWCT is a wetland mitigation program administered by the DNR. The WWCT funds wetland restoration projects to offset permitted wetland impacts resulting from development projects. Some of these funds come from the Foxconn Development.
Read more...
Washington and Waukesha Counties AIS Update - Battle of the Invasives: Rusty Crayfish vs. Northern Crayfish
Outside their home range, rusty crayfish are likely to displace native northern crayfish and reduce aquatic plant abundance and diversity. In some northern Wisconsin lakes, it has eaten most of the aquatic plants, hurting the quality of the lakes. Aquatic plants provide important habitat for fish and other aquatic animals, as well as prevent erosion. By damaging underwater habitat, fish also lose their spawning areas, protective cover and food. Fish that normally eat crayfish don't like the feisty, aggressive "rusty." It takes over the homes of native crayfish and has been known to eat fish eggs. Rusty crayfish reproduce quickly and females lay from 80-575 eggs.
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Rusty Crayfish: This crayfish measures two and one-half inches (not including claws) in length. Look for their large claws with black bands on the tips and dark, rusty spots on each side of their carapace (hard outer body covering). Their claws are grayish-green to reddish-brown and smoother than most other crayfish.
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Northern Crayfish: The Northern Crayfish grows to a length of about 10-12 cm, not including the 2 pairs of long antennae or the large chelipeds (pron: "keel-i-peds"), the large claw or pincer bearing legs, that extend forward. The chelipeds often have a bluish tint, particularly in the males which have larger chelipeds and larger pincers than females.
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Public Asked To Help DNR Prioritize Work On Water Quality Standards
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering the public a chance to rank which issues the DNR should focus on over the next three years to protect water quality in lakes, streams and rivers. This process is called the Triennial Standards Review and is required by the Clean Water Act. The DNR is providing online tools, a comment period and a public hearing to gather public input.
The DNR is asking the public to complete an online form to rank 15 specific topics, indicating which ones should be the DNR’s top 5 priorities.
“The Clean Water Act specifies what types of issues are covered under the triennial review,” said Kristi Minahan, DNR water quality standards specialist. “The topics focus on setting goals for water quality, mainly related to setting thresholds for different types of pollutants.”
The topic ranking form and a description of each topic are available on the DNR’s website starting today. Certain topics are not included in this review.
“While important, the triennial review does not cover topics related to implementation to achieve those goals, like management practices for agriculture or stormwater," said Minahan. "Other DNR programs handle those efforts."
Specifically, topics that will be evaluated in the 2021-2023 review include policies, rules and guidance related to waterbodies’ designated uses, water quality criteria, antidegradation and variances. The list of 15 topics includes some that were suggested by the public and partners in an earlier phase of the process.
The DNR will also hold a public hearing and webinar to describe the topics, answer questions and take comments. The ranking form and any additional comments may be submitted until Dec. 4, 2020. The public hearing will be held online at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16 and may also be joined by phone. Public hearing details are available on the DNR’s public hearings calendar.
After the comment period closes, the DNR will prioritize the topics based on input from the public, technical staff and partners, and prepare a final prioritized list of items to work on over the next three years. The prioritized list is expected to be completed this winter. When the workplan is complete, work will begin on the priority topics.
The DNR appreciates all input on protecting Wisconsin’s water quality. For more information on the Triennial Standards Review process and past reviews, click here.
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Urban Nonpoint Source Planning And Urban Small-Scale TMDL Targeted Runoff Management Grant Instructions Now Available For Public Comment
The revised Urban Nonpoint Source and Storm Water (UNPS&SW) Planning Grant application instructions for planning projects beginning in 2022 are now available for public comment on the Department of Natural Resources’ UNPS&SW webpage. The revised Small-Scale Urban Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Targeted Runoff management Grant application instructions for projects beginning in 2022 are now available for public comment on the DNR’s TRM Grant Program webpage.
Send comments to Joanna Griffin, DNR Runoff Management Grants program coordinator at Joanna.griffin@wisconsin.gov by Nov. 9, 2020.
DNR Technical Standard 1010 Proprietary Storm Water Filtration Devices Webinar
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 10 – 11 a.m.
Please join Wisconsin Land+Water for a webinar to go over the new DNR Technical Standard of Proprietary Storm Water Filtration Devices (1010). These are commercially available flow-through devices to remove storm water pollutants. They are generally below ground chambers with replaceable granular media cartridges or membrane. The potential use and general sizing of these devices to meet ch. NR 151, Wis. Adm. Code, post-construction performance standards for total suspended solids and total phosphorus will be discussed. 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) will be offered. Presenter: Eric Rortvedt, Stormwater Engineer – Bureau of Watershed Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Register: By noon on Nov. 3 at https://conta.cc/3cx03yn
WI Salt Wise is a coalition of organizations from across Dane County working together to reduce salt pollution in our lakes, streams and drinking water. Our primary goals are to: educate residents, leaders and winter maintenance professionals on salt pollution and solutions, provide training and promote best practices to reduce salt pollution and recognize contractors committed to using the right amount of salt for conditions.
2020 Winter Salt Trainings
Winter maintenance professionals directly impact the future of our water. By utilizing proper application rates and techniques, they can support public safety, save money, and protect our freshwater. Local trainings are currently available in Dane, Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. Don't see your county listed? Send an email to wisaltwise@gmail.com.
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DNR Wastewater Permit Progress Updates
In the past, we have used this space to provide updates on the number of permits issued with TMDL limits, and the schedule for future permits. We now have enough data to provide rough updates on point-source discharge data since the TMDL was published in March 2019. Using data from January 2016 - August 2020:
- 46% of monthly Total Phosphorus Waste-load Allocations are being met, on average.
- 86% of monthly Total Suspended Solids Waste-load Allocations are being met, on average.
- These numbers are all inclusive - with zero-loads excluded from total
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Grant Information
WASHINGTON, October 14, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today re-posted a revised Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding announcement, inviting potential conservation partners to submit project proposals for federal funding. NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.
The original announcement had stated that “Forest land eligibility does not encompass industrial forest lands that are owned by companies, organizations, and individuals who engage in commercially oriented forest management and production activities.” NRCS has removed this language, which partners may have interpreted as limiting opportunities for RCPP projects on forest lands where eligible activities would help achieve conservation benefits.
NRCS has also extended the proposal deadline to November 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. To learn more about the opportunity for funding, read the August 6th announcement, and for more information on how to apply, view the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov.
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