 The First Place team developed a conceptual design that uses the space beneath an overpass to create stormwater tree farms; a concept that is highly versatile, scalable, and repeatable.
from Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
(Milwaukee, WI) – Funded by the Tellier Foundation, the Green Infrastructure Overpass Contest awarded three teams for their innovative designs for managing polluted stormwater under freeway overpasses. Polluted stormwater runoff is one of the biggest remaining threats to rivers and lakes across the United States. The area underneath overpasses is often overlooked locations that could help reduce water pollution and, at the same time, provide public recreation space.
The award selection was equally based on innovation, sustainability, and quality of the submittal. The Tellier Foundation and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) are proud to announce their three winners.
- First Place: HNTB
- Second Place: Hey & Associates
- Third Place: Lotus Water
Each project team developed 2 or 3 alternatives described in a memo, defined a recommended plan, a conceptual design drawing or visual, an estimate of construction cost, a construction schedule, a description of constructability issues, and a long-term maintenance plan memo. First place won $5,000, second place won $3,000, and third place won $2,000. Learn more...
The Nine Key Element (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
The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this year is March 26, 2021. Through CSP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques.
Gruenenfelder's Grazing Dairy
The Gruenenfelder family lives and farms in Moscow township in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Jason, Kris and their children Halle, Jaxon, Cal, Lydia and Cheyenne live in a valley overlooking rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin. Jason grew up on a dairy farm and has been running his own operation since graduating college. He milks his 90-cow herd once a day.
In September of 2018, Jason Gruenenfelder called the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation
Service in Dodgeville with some questions about rotational
grazing. He had a conventional dairy farm and wanted to shift the way he did things. From that first conversation, it was clear that Jason’s goals for the farm extended beyond himself. Jason is very intentional about creating a farm that is enjoyable and safe for his whole family. Read more...
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 24, 2021
The COVID pandemic has presented numerous challenges to everyone, especially regarding events and gatherings. While this prevented hosting the large cleanup last spring, we still found ways to care for our rivers while also caring for ourselves.The response from our community, our friends and Adopt-A-River adopters is clear: we’re ready. It’s time to tackle pollution and restore our rivers once again.
Milwaukee River Keeper is taking steps to mindfully proceed, with safety at the center of their plan. This year’s event will look a little different, they're limiting the total number of volunteers at each site, and staggering start times. Volunteers will also be required to:
- Register and complete digital waivers in advance, there will be NO onsite registration or paper forms
- Wear a mask during the cleanup
- Maintain a safe 6ft distance from other volunteers not in your household
- Use hand sanitizer, and limit contact with others
STAY TUNED and watch for registration details!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: In the meantime, RiverKeeper is looking for a few more folks to be cleanup site captains this year. They’re going to spread out and cover more ground, which means needing more people power! If you’re up to the challenge please contact the Cleanup Coordinator, Allie Mendez at allie@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
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The Milwaukee Estuary is a federally-designated Area of Concern (AOC)— one of the most environmentally degraded sites on the Great Lakes. After years of planning, Milwaukee is launching a massive, multi-year cleanup of contamination and damage to the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, harbors and Lake Michigan shoreline. This effort will remove toxic waste from these waters, improve environmental health at our beaches and restore fish and wildlife habitats along our waterways.
What Is The Community Advisory Committee (CAC)?
The Community Advisory Committee will ensure that the Milwaukee Estuary AOC work aligns with community priorities. CAC members will represent the community voice in this process by:
- Attending technical meetings, community meetings and public hearings;
- Soliciting feedback from stakeholders, including neighborhood groups, other community organizations and individuals; and
- Monitoring and providing input on project plans.
Community involvement is essential to help the Milwaukee Estuary make a full recovery. Learn more...
Wisconsin Water Week provides attendees with the opportunity to learn from respected experts, engage in discussion sessions and interactive workshops, and enhance their network of water-focused professionals. Anyone who loves water is invited to participate in Wisconsin Water Week, a virtual, interactive event occurring March 8-12, 2021. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from respected experts, engage in discussion sessions and interactive workshops, and enhance their network of water-focused professionals. Join the event online from wherever you are for one day or the whole week using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Read more...
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The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Interim Municipal Phosphorus Reduction Credit for Leaf Management Programs Guidance is now available for review and comment until Friday, March 5, 2021. The draft document can be found here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Stormwater/publications.html.
The Interim Municipal Phosphorus Reduction Credit for Leaf Management Programs Guidance is being updated to incorporate new research and address questions regarding programs that qualify for numeric credit.
Please provide comments on any language that needs to be clarified or any questions regarding implementation of this guidance. Comments related to this draft guidance document should be sent to: DNRGUIDANCEDOCUMENTS@wisconsin.gov.
Once the notice period is complete, all comments will be considered and responded to by the DNR. Revisions may be made to the document and the final updated guidance will then be made available to internal and external stakeholders. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this process.
The Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Recycling of Scrap and Waste Materials (WI-S058831-4) and Dismantling of Vehicles for Parts Selling and Salvage (WI-S059145-4) general permits are tentatively proposed to be reissued. The DNR will accept written comments until March 22, 2021. Comments may be submitted electronically to DNRSWPermits@wisconsin.gov or mailed to: Suzan Limberg – WT/3, Wisconsin DNR, 101 S. Webster St., P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
The documents (Public Notice of Intent, draft permits and fact sheets) are available here: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wastewater/PublicNotices.html.
Storm water discharges to waters of the state from certain industrial activities in these categories may be covered by the corresponding general permits. These proposed general permits contain requirements specified under ch. NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code. Chapter NR 216 states how storm water from industrial operations can be discharged so that waters of the state will be protected. These proposed general permits will apply to discharges to waters of the state throughout the state. Each permit specifies the specific contamination areas of concern for each type of industry and the corresponding compliance schedule required for implementing storm water pollution controls for those areas.
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Why would Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District be interested in Green Infrastructure? The Combined-Sanitary Sewer System that stretches for THOUSANDS of miles beneath the greater Milwaukee region is a relic of old-world engineering practices that allowed overflow from storm drains (rain water from streets, roof tops, etc.) to mix with sanitary sewer wastewater (toilets, sinks, etc.). During large rain events, this can cause Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), basement backups, and a multitude of challenges to address and combat the related water quality issues. One of the most effective ways to combat this is to reduce the volume of stormwater infiltrating into the CSO system.
from MMSD
"Preventing sewage from backing up into your basement is a highest priority when too much rain gets into the sanitary sewer system. Unfortunately, our only weapon in that battle is a relief valve that sends excess water to the nearest river or lake, an overflow pipe. Thanks to the Deep Tunnels and many other improvements, we average 2.4 overflows per year (down from 50-60) and have captured and cleaned 98.4% of all the water that's entered the regional sewer system since 1994. The goal nationally is to capture and clean 85% of the more than 700 cities with systems like ours. Please note, that combined sewer overflows are 90 to 95% stormwater and groundwater.
As a region, we've invested more than $4 billion to reduce sewer overflows, a massive effort that is paying off. Our current financial forecast through 2025 calls for investing $1.5 billion in clean water infrastructure, flood management, green infrastructure, and debt financing to help protect public health and Lake Michigan. "
MMSD's Executive Director Kevin Shafer shares, "When it comes to implementing a watershed-wide green infrastructure program, it truly does "take a village" to realize success. A recent story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlights green infrastructure’s importance to the region’s water environment and the economic development in Milwaukee. The story provides an in-depth discussion about work being performed with the Milwaukee Public Schools to green up our schools and a very innovative project to build green infrastructure under an elevated freeway."
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Grant Information
Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2021 Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program grant program.
The Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program provides grants to reduce nutrients and sediments entering the Great Lakes. Through the program, nonfederal units of government, tribes, or incorporated nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive assistance for reducing phosphorus contributions to waters within the Great Lakes basin and other efforts to achieve measures of progress under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan III. Applicants are invited to submit proposals for sediment and nutrient reduction activities associated with one of three project types: 1) agricultural non-point; 2) stormwater; and 3) Great Lakes shoreline or streambanks.
The due date for applications is 5:00 p.m. Eastern on April 16, 2021. Applications will be reviewed by representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), and the eight Great Lakes states. Final decisions on funded projects are anticipated in summer 2021. Selected projects would begin on October 1, 2021 (with potential for an earlier start) and may be up to three years in duration.
The Great Lakes Commission has managed the Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program for more than 30 years. The program is a partnership with NRCS, U.S. EPA, and the Great Lakes states. Please visit www.nutrientreduction.org for more information.
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