Wisconsin’s Nonpoint Source Program Management Plan outlines the state’s approach to addressing water quality impacts from nonpoint sources of pollution. The latest version of the plan covers the projected management activities and efforts from federal fiscal years (FFY) 2021 through 2025. This statewide management plan meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act requirements and ensures Wisconsin’s eligibility for Section 319 (federal NPS Program) funding.
Download the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Program Management Plan
Wisconsin's Nonpoint Source Program Overview
Wisconsin is a recognized leader in efforts to control nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Since 1978, Wisconsin’s NPS Program has made significant progress in addressing runoff-related water quality problems that, in many cases, have existed for decades. In 2011, the DNR and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection allocated nearly $20 million in state and federal funds to counties for nonpoint source pollution abatement activities. Even with this work, successfully managing polluted runoff remains a challenge to improving and protecting the state’s water quality.
Wisconsin’s NPS Program, through a comprehensive network of federal, state and local agencies working in partnership with other organizations and citizens, addresses the significant nonpoint sources in the state. This program combines voluntary and regulatory approaches with financial and technical assistance. Abatement activities include agriculture, urban, forestry, wetlands and hydrologic modifications. The core activities of the program — research, monitoring, data assessment and management, regulation and enforcement, financial and technical assistance, education and outreach and public involvement — work to address current water quality impairments and prevent future threats caused by NPS pollution.
Please refer to the MS4/Stormwater and Wastewater sections of the current newsletter for updates on TMDL Implementation. These include updates on MS4 Stormwater permits, Stormwater Management Plans, and wastewater discharge WPDES permits that have been updated to include TMDL implementation and goals.
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
Wisconsin Farm Stories
We have collected the following series of videos that provide real world examples of our amazing Wisconsin Farmers working hard and being innovative to protect our soil, landscape, and water resources across our beautiful state. If you have any additional examples to share, please feel free to email them to us here.
It's no surprise we have so many innovative farmers in Wisconsin; we have a long history of farmers helping to develop conservation methods that are now used across the entire nation! Some of the earliest efforts began in southwestern Wisconsin, in Coon Creek Watershed, the "cradle of conservation". Video
Today, we have demonstration farms networks growing up around Wisconsin, where farmers working together, and with conservation partners, are innovating and perfecting more sustainable farming practices. These practices help improve soil fertility, profitability, and address growing challenges from climate change. The Lower-Fox Demonstration Farm Network is a great example - Video
Dairy
The Klinkner family has farmed in Monroe County for generations. Today, two brothers manage adjacent organic dairy farms and have worked with Monroe County's Land Conservation Department on various conservation projects over the decades. Video
Steve Adrian explaining ryelage in his dairy forage rotation. Steve started growing cereal Rye not only as a cover crop, but to have more hay for dairy forage rations. Video
David Geiser, a Calumet County dairy farmer, is the 2018 recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award in Wisconsin. Video
Jim Koepke and his son, John, discuss how important conservation and the utilization of a land ethic are to their farming operation. Soil and water management are at the forefront of their efforts. Video
And, just across the river in southeastern MN, Kevin Connelly shows how he grows no-till corn silage and cover crops for the dairy and beef cows on their 600 acre farm in Olmsted County Minnesota. Videography by Dan Balluff and 2nd camera by Dan Nath. Video
Cash Grain
John and Melissa Eron’s conservation story is one of innovation and ingenuity. Their farm’s heavy clay soils were often wet during the spring planting season, dry by summer, and wet again by fall. John devised a common sense plan: he’d capture and store runoff water and use it later to irrigate crops. Video
Dunn County farmer, Jeff Lake, received the 2019 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award for his voluntary efforts to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. Video
Cover Crops Success Cultivates Forest and Wildlife Conservation
Jeff Rice, a corn, soybean and wheat farmer in Racine County, Wisconsin, initially partnered with NRCS to try cover crops. His initial success encouraged further conservation efforts, installing additional practices on his farm fields and in his forests. Jeff has taken full advantage of the opportunities his land offers and also raises pheasants, mallard ducks, partridge and quail for hunting. Jeff also leases his land for bird hunters in the fall and allows mentoring hunts for turkey in the spring. Jeff has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for several years to improve his soil and water quality, while also creating wildlife habitat on his farm. He is quite happy with the conservation outcome. Read more...
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DNR Seeking Public Comments On Proposal To Remove Impairment In Milwaukee Estuary AOC
Comments Due June 21
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its recommendation to remove the Degradation of Aesthetics Beneficial Use Impairment from the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern.
After the Milwaukee Estuary was listed as an Area of Concern (AOC) in 1987, the Remedial Action Plan identified "degradation of aesthetics" as one of 11 environmental problems, called beneficial use impairments in the AOC program.
Degraded aesthetics was included among the impairments due to poor visual quality of the polluted waterways and over development along the estuary. Combined sewer overflows and urban runoff carried debris, trash, oil and grease into waterways. Many stream beds were straightened and lined with concrete and communities grew without consideration for green spaces, resulting in over development and limited shoreline access and public spaces. Additional factors included odor problems attributed to the decomposition of organic material and emissions from industries. These factors had limited recreational use and diminished scenic value of the waters within the AOC boundaries.
To date, several federal and state water quality regulations, local initiatives and volunteer programs have been implemented to reduce pollution and improve water quality throughout the Milwaukee Estuary. For example, the federal Clean Water Act and regional and local water quality management plans are in place to regulate pollution from industrial and urban sources. Additionally, planning and redevelopment activities by the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and others have improved the visual appearance of waterways in the AOC boundaries by removing concrete in natural streambeds, increasing public green space and recreational opportunities with shoreline redevelopment, and restoring fish and wildlife habitats.
Another example of aesthetic improvements is MMSD's Deep Tunnel System, which captures and stores 98.4% of stormwater and wastewater entering the regional sewer system until it can be treated. This has significantly reduced sewer overflows and reduced the amount of trash that reaches waterways. Municipalities also have trash collector devices in place to remove debris from waterways.
An aesthetics monitoring program was conducted over several years by partners in the AOC to collect water quality data and to gauge public perceptions of aesthetic values through surveys. This data was evaluated, and results showed that the aesthetics of the AOC have improved. Results showed that removal targets are being met and multiple lines of evidence support a recommendation to remove this impairment from the AOC. The results of monitoring data and support from a team of technical experts, agency partners and local stakeholders support this recommendation.
The removal recommendation document is available for public review and comments now until June 21, 2021 at this link.
Send questions and comments to:
Brennan Dow, Milwaukee Estuary AOC Coordinator
Brennan.Dow@wisconsin.gov
920-366-1371 (cell)
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The Lake Country Clean Water Festival, hosted by the Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club in conjunction with the Pewaukee Kiwanis Beach Party, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! Since 2011, the festival has focused on raising awareness for the increasing need to preserve Lake Country’s waterways and raising money for clean-up efforts so we can all enjoy the fun and beauty that the lakes bring to our community. The festival has also provided opportunities for all to enjoy the many recreational activities that our lakes afford from learning to water ski, to fishing, to pontoon boat rides, to ZUMBA and bootcamp on the beach, to paddle sports. Learn More
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DNR Updates
DNR stormwater staff have been actively working with local communities to address TMDL implementation goals and strategies as MS4 Stormwater Permits are reissued. While these activities include numerous details and technicalities, progress so far is summarized below:
- 23/43 have new permit with Milwaukee TMDL Goals
- 7 additional will be permitted on June 1st bringing the total to 30/43
- 1 additional permitte will be covered on July 1st
- Stormwater Management Plans
- 17 MS4s have a completed stormwater management plan for the Milwaukee River TMDL.
MS4 Permits
Permitted MS4’s submitted their 2020 MS4 Annual Reports and Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) documents that were due March 31 through the department’s Water Permit Applications (ePermitting) system. MS4 Annual Reports provide a status of the permittees progress towards implementing permit requirements, meeting measurable goals, and compliance with permit schedules. SWMPs describe in detail how the permittee intends to comply with the current permit’s requirements for each minimum control measure.
Interested in viewing other permittees’ materials? Navigate to the Water Permit Applications (ePermitting) “Track” page. Narrow the search criteria by entering “SW-MS” or using the left-hand filter results to sort MS4 specific documents.
MS4 Permit Dashboard: Additionally, we are in the process of piloting a ‘one-stop-shop’ online dashboard for MS4 permittees to organize all their items submitted through the ePermitting system, permit compliance schedule and audit files. The project is expected to be finalized during 2022.
Salt Symposium celebrates the minimization and optimization of salt use. Learn from professionals from across industrial and economic sectors by examining state-of-the-art research developments and advanced best practices for reducing salt use.
LIVE-STREAM ONLY
Join us online August 3rd & 4th starting at 8:30 CST for Salt Symposium 2021.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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DNR WPDES Permit Updates for Permitted Facilities
Seven individual permits for industrial facilities have been discontinued due to eliminating or rerouting the discharge to the sanitary sewer system. Of the remaining twenty-five individual permits, 13 are industrial, 12 are municipal. Currently, 40% of permits have TMDL limits, and this will go up to 64% by the end of the year.
Industrial: Four w/TMDL limits, 5 more being updated this year..
Municipal: Six w/TMDL limits, 1 more being updated this year.
A "certified operator" is an individual who has met the requirements of Chapter NR 114, Wisconsin Administrative Code [exit DNR], and has been issued a certificate by the DNR to operate one or more of the classifications of wastewater treatment plants. Ch. NR 114, 499 and 524 Wis. Adm. Code require an operator to earn continuing education credits to maintain an active certification. These continuing education requirements are designed to help operators keep current on new requirements and technical innovations as well as acquire additional knowledge and skills. The training calendar has numerous opportunities for virtual and in-person trainings, available here.
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Grant Information
USDA to Invest $15 Million in Conservation Innovation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $15 million to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.
CIG partners use creative problem solving and innovation to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. This year, funded CIGs will focus on climate-smart strategies for water resources, soil health (focused on carbon sequestration and climate resilience), nutrient management, grazing lands conservation and strategies to increase conservation adoption.
“Through Conservation Innovation Grants, we’re able to co-invest with partners on the next generation of agricultural conservation solutions,” said Angela Biggs, NRCS Wisconsin State Conservationist. “Using creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners work to address our nation's most pressing natural resource concerns, all while helping to ensure the health and longevity of American agriculture.”
All U.S.-based non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 19, 2021. Learn MORE...
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