 The Watershed Restoration Viewer allows users to search and map DNR information regarding TMDL's with a focus on the places in Wisconsin where the DNR is working with partners to provide exceptional water quality. Within these areas, website visitors can explore water quality standards, the current condition of rivers and lakes, and the results of models that the DNR uses to allocate the least amount of resources for the greatest overall improvement in water quality.
The Watershed Restoration Viewer is a DNR interactive web mapping tool for exploring water quality improvement projects across Wisconsin. When waters are listed as impaired, the DNR works to improve them through various types of federally supported frameworks such as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). When the waters are already exceptional, the DNR protects them for future generations to enjoy.
To provide easier access to relevant information regarding recent TMDL changes in Wisconsin, WDNR is compiling tabular data from each written TMDL report into a single comprehensive database, and providing these data to stakeholders through the Watershed Restoration Viewer (WRV), WDNR’s online map viewer for visualizing and retrieving important information to those who will be affected by a TMDL. For more information, read the WRV Brief here
There are several ways to find the WRV:
For question on how to use the viewer or project developments, send an email to dnrwaterqualitymodeling@wi.gov
Within the greater Milwaukee region, overall authority for development of Regional Water Quality Management Plans is entrusted to the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC). SEWRPC has developed numerous land use and watershed planning studies that were integral to development of the Milwaukee TMDLs, and relevant to implementation moving forward.
At the federal level, US EPA has developed the "Nine Key Element" (9KE) standard for watershed implementation planning to meet objectives of the Clean Water Act and TMDLs. The requirements for these smaller, more focused 9KE plans are geared towards direct implementation, over shorter time periods (10 years) and have specific requirements that are consistent with meeting the goals of regional water quality management planning.
The 9KE framework is being used to guide the implementation of the Milwaukee Basin TMDLs. This strategy and development of these 9KE Implementation Plans is spelled out in the Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP). The Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust (aka SWWT, aka Sweet Water), along with numerous municipal, county, regional, and local partners, are working to develop 9KE Watershed Implementation Plans for the greater Milwaukee River Basin region. These are summarized below:
The following Nine Key Element Watershed Restoration plans have been formally approved and can guide implementation:
Sector Team Updates
'Extension winter programming goes online with Farm Ready Research webinar series'
Beginning in December 2020 and continuing through April 2021, Extension experts will host webinars throughout the week on topics ranging from determining cost of production to preventing on-farm injuries to navigating your farm business.
Visit go.wisc.edu/FarmReadyResearch to see the full list of topics and to register for sessions.
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Over application of road salt poses a threat to the health of our rivers and environment. Deicers, like road salt, are applied after snow events, when the ice is already on the surface of the road pavement, in order to break the connection between the ice and surface. However, it’s important to use the right amount. When we use too much, we damage our roads, vehicles, pets, and even our vegetation and soil!
When water runs over the landscape, it picks up pollutants along the way, including excess road salt and other deicing chemicals. Eventually, these contaminants pollute our rivers, streams and lakes. High levels of chloride harms water quality and, in turn, aquatic life within the stream. Addressing pollution from road salt and chlorides is one of the challenges Milwaukee River Keeper and Citizen Monitors are tackling. Learn more...
Rock River Coalition is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and provide
opportunities for people of diverse interests to work together to improve the environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic resources of the Rock River Basin. Established over 25 years ago, the organization pursues its mission through citizen engagement.
Rock River Coalition seeks an enthusiastic, detail-oriented person to
coordinate our volunteer stream monitors in the Rock River Basin and to implement an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention and Outreach Program in Dodge County. Our award-winning Stream Monitoring Program is well established in the Rock River Basin. The AIS Program in Dodge County is new in 2021 and the selected candidate will be responsible for assisting with the development and implementation of a coordinated Dodge County strategy, relevant programs, and effective partnerships for preventing and controlling the spread of aquatic invasive species. More information...
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Didn't get a change to join the conference virtually? Perhaps you lost your internet connection? Don't worry, you can access the conference content 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 have been able to gather in person this year, but we were grateful for the opportunity to learn from each other virtually!
Over the course of three days in November, we explored topics in RESILIENCY. Find presentations from these sessions, as well as bonus content from our sponsors, other partners, and Sweet Water in the “Virtual Rotunda”!
Also, check out recordings of the 2020 conference at the links below!
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Salt Reduction Champions Webinar: Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 12 pm - 1 pm
Is your community oversalting roadways and drinking water? What are the hidden costs of excessive salt use to our roads, bridges, vehicles, wildlife, human health, and freshwater resources? Learn from municipalities and a university that have adopted best winter maintenance practices to keep pavement safe, save money, and cut their addictions to salt.
This Sustainable Strategies Webinar will feature salt reduction success stories from:
- Jim Paine, Mayor of the City of Superior, WI;
- Mary Jo Lange, Director of Public Works/City Engineer for the City of Cudahy, WI;
- Wes Enterline, Sustainability Director at UW-Whitewater; and,
- Allison Madison from WI Salt Wise.
With hosts, City of Superior and Forest County
December 10-11, 2020
This two day course is designed for those who perform site management duties, supervise or direct construction activities, install best management practices, and/or inspect sites for compliance relating to erosion/sediment control and stormwater management. This course will cover:
- Permit requirements
- Roles and responsibilities
- Construction site erosion control plans
- BMPs to reduce or control erosion and offsite sedimentation
- Proper installation of devices
- Establishing protective vegetation
- Grading practices to reduce erosion
- Timing of installations
- Completing WPDES site inspections
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Public notices are required by law to alert interested members of the public of the DNR's intention to authorize a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) discharge to a water of the state. The notices are posted here on the DNR website for 30 days and are also published once in the legal notices section of the local newspaper in the vicinity of the facility. The notice identifies the facility by name, indicates where the discharge is located and briefly describes the facility's activities.
Public Comments Procedure
The public notice document explains how to get more information or comment on the proposed permit action. A member of the public may submit written comments or request that the department hold a public informational hearing. For comments or requests to be timely, they must be submitted within 30 days from the date of public notice, unless otherwise indicated in the notice.
Public participation procedures are detailed in NR 203, Wis. Adm. Code
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Grant Information
Full Proposal Due Date: January 28, 2021 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Overview
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), FedEx, Southern Company and BNSF Railway are pleased to solicit applications for the 2021 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. This program will award approximately $1.5 million in grants nationwide.
Projects include a variety of ecological improvements along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. Ecological improvements may include one or more of the following: wetland, riparian, forest and coastal habitat restoration; wildlife conservation, community tree canopy enhancement, water quality monitoring and green infrastructure best management practices for managing run-off.
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Indian tribes and educational institutions
- Ineligible applicants include: unincorporated individuals, businesses, international organizations and U.S. federal government agencies
Funding Availability
Approximately $1,500,000 is available nationwide for projects meeting program priorities. There is one round of full proposals annually for this program. Awards range from $20,000 to $50,000 with an average size of $35,000 and 40-50 grants awarded per year. Grants should span 12 to 18 months with a start date in late summer/early fall 2021.
For complete details please visit Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2021 Request for Proposals Website
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