 The Great Lakes rivers and harbors that have been most severely affected by pollution and habitat loss are known as "Areas of Concern," or AOCs. These are geographically–defined sites that need special attention.
The final Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) Remedial Action Plan Progress Summary is now available, which includes the public comments we received on the draft that was shared this spring. The final document is available on the Milwaukee Estuary AOC website.
This document shares the progress made from May through December 2020 on specific actions or projects that are important for reaching our AOC pollution cleanup and restoration targets in the AOC and sets milestones for continued work in the year ahead.
Eleven environmental problems, called beneficial use impairments in the AOC program, were identified for the Milwaukee Estuary AOC, along with management actions to address those problems. Delisting targets are specific goals and objectives established for each impairment, with measurable indicators to track the results of pollution cleanup and restoration efforts. Once all impairments have met their targets and are removed, the Milwaukee Estuary can be removed from the list of most polluted sites on the Great Lakes.
The Milwaukee Estuary AOC was designated as one of 43 sites on the Great Lakes with significant environmental damage by the United States and Canada in 1987. Federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding, first launched in 2010, helps communities clean up pollution in AOCs and restore waterways.
We are excited to share the progress made in the Milwaukee Estuary AOC. Learn more about the Milwaukee Estuary AOC by visiting the DNR website.
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 University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Badger Crop Connect, is finishing up the 2021 growing season with several webinars in September and October. This series provides agronomists, crop consultants and farmers timely crop updates for Wisconsin during the growing season.
The upcoming September webinars are:
- Wednesday, September 8, 2021: Carrie Laboski, UW-Madison Professor and Extension Soil Specialist, will present on managing nitrogen credits from manure and nitrification inhibitors; Jamie Patton, UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program, will present on low disturbance manure applications to cover crops.
- Wednesday, September 22, 2021, Shawn Conley, UW-Madison Professor and Extension Soybean and Small Grain Specialist, will present on setting up winter wheat for success; Randy Jackson, Professor, UW-Madison Agronomy Department will present on if there are cropping systems that build soil carbon.
The October 13th and 27th webinars will focus on seed trait selection and grain marketing respectively. The webinars are offered at 12:30 p.m. Badger Crop Connect is hosted by Extension Crops and Soils educators. There are CCA credits available for each webinar. There is no fee for these webinars, but registration is required. Please register for all fall sessions at https://go.wisc.edu/bccfall2021
For more information, please visit Badger Crop Connect
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that more than 80% of Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers recently assessed are healthy, continuing a trend of improved surface water quality across the state.
Every two years, Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) require states to publish a list of all waters not meeting water quality standards and an overall report on surface water quality status of all waters in the state.
Although the majority of waterbodies are in good condition and have been placed on the Healthy Waters List, 92 new waterbodies or segments are now classified as impaired.
“Placing waters on the Impaired Waters List means they require a restoration plan to improve aquatic habitat, recreation opportunities or fish consumption. While these waters are labeled ‘impaired,’ the majority are still usable; just follow local water quality alerts and posted signs,” said Ashley Beranek, DNR Surface Water Quality Assessment Coordinator.
A total of 115 new pollutant listings are proposed; a waterbody can have multiple pollutant listings and some of the new listings are on waters already identified as impaired. The majority of new pollutant listings are for phosphorus and bacteria. This is the first assessment cycle to use the new E. coli bacteria criteria recently approved by the Wisconsin legislature.
Of the 115 new listings, 11 will be placed directly on the Restoration Waters List because they are covered by an existing restoration plan in the form of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The listings are being added to the Milwaukee River Basin TMDL, Upper Fox-Wolf Basins TMDL and Wisconsin River Basin TMDL. The department is also seeking public comment on these TMDL additions.
Simultaneously, 22 listings will be removed, half of which are for phosphorus and sediment. The 2022 draft Impaired Waters List contains 1,526 listings. The draft Restoration Waters List contains 577 listings.
The department is asking for public comments regarding the new listings and TMDL additions. Provide written comments by Oct. 1 to:
Department of Natural Resources c/o Ashley Beranek, Water Quality P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707 DNRWYWaterbodyAssessments@wisconsin.gov
The water condition lists are submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency every even-numbered year in accordance with the Clean Water Act. The department follows standard procedures to assess waterbodies against water quality standards.
The 2022 lists and other materials can be found on the DNR’s website.
Volunteer Monitoring Information
Become a volunteer stream monitor! Join hundreds of volunteers around Wisconsin who monitor the health of their local streams. Learn more: wateractionvolunteers.org.
- Join a watershed organization. You can find one in your area: wisconsinrivers.org/local-groups/.
- Apply for a surface water grant: dnr.wi.gov/lakes/grants/.
- Contact the water quality biologist listed on the TWA report for your area – they can direct you to participation opportunities at the state or local level.
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Sunday, September 19, 2021 | 12:30 - 2:00PM
Celebrate the Return of the River as local artists and performers will once again showcase their talents on one-of-a-kind art floats at the 5th Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Boat Parade. This unique twist on the traditional family favorite features a parade of floats that really float! Art installations have been carefully crafted by local artists and performers to celebrate and honor the waterways we love.
This year’s theme: Return of the River
This year, we're teaming up with our friends at Harbor District and Riveredge Nature Center to offer a unique opportunity to experience three events in one location! Watch the parade, explore Harbor Fest and signup to release a Sturgeon at Sturgeon Fest all in the same day!
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced a new webpage designed to help applicants for solar installations. Solar installations are becoming more frequent as individuals, communities, companies and utilities look for renewable energy solutions. The focus of the webpage is on ground-mounted projects as they have a broader impact on the environment than building-mounted or home installations.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Sectors/SolarInstallations
Be sure to review the information provided while planning your next solar installation project. The information on the webpage will help with understanding issues like early and long-term land use planning opportunities, permitting requirements, life cycle analysis and equity-based evaluations for developing your solar infrastructure project.
The DNR welcomes additional input on the content of the webpage. Contact the DNR’s Sustainability and Business Support section at DNRbusinesssupport@wisconsin.gov. Questions on permits needed for solar installations can be directed to DNR staff listed on the webpage.
Sign-up for Upcoming Smart Salting for WI Roads Workshops
Sign-up for Upcoming Smart Salting for Parking Lots and Sidewalks Workshops
Thursday, September 23, 2021 8:00 am-4:15 pm (approx)
American Excelsior Company ErosionLab 1695 19 ½ Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868
This popular annual event has been hosted since 2005 in partnership with the American Excelsior Company Erosion Lab, one of only a few erosion control testing laboratories in the U.S. All events will take place at the Erosion Lab where attendees will learn from experienced professionals and view product testing under a variety of control measures set up as stations around the facility.
Registration: Field Event: $175 member/$195 non-member REGISTER NOW
Confirmed demonstrations include:
- Dewatering
- Flume using high shear transition mat
- Flume using a vegetated synthetic mat lined channel
- Updates on the progress of shore log, native plant shoreline, and rain garden installations
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October 5 - October 8, 2021
La Crosse Center/Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, WI
The WWOA is hosting their 55th Annual WWOA Conference “in-person” in La Crosse from October 5th through October 8th! On Tuesday, October 5th, the Conference kicks off with several great opportunities to choose from:
- The annual Golf Outing, Sporting Clays Event, and classic Bicycle Ride
- Two Pre-Conference Workshops highlighting two different aspects of the wastewater field running concurrently and starting at 1:00 pm and ending at 4:00 pm. One pre-conference workshop will be given by Tom Trainor of the WDNR and will focus on laboratory practices and updates to NR 149. The other pre-conference session will focus on Phosphorus and Water Quality Trading and will be given by Erin Delawalla of RES.
- The annual Meet and Greet
The conference will officially open on Wednesday October 6th at 8:30 am with a brief Welcome Address from President Don Lintner, followed by this year’s Keynote presentation given by one of the most distinguished and influential people in the wastewater field, Dr. Glen Daigger.
The technical program planned for Wednesday October 6th will look like this:
- The Conference Exhibition from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm — This is your opportunity to meet the many vendors and sponsors who support our industry!
- Technical Sessions with two tracks, scheduled from 10:45 am until 12:00 pm
- Walk around lunch in the exhibit hall from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to grab some food, connect with others, and explore the exhibit hall
- Operators Competition located in the center of the exhibit hall from 12:30 pm until 4:30 pm
- Technical Sessions with four tracks, scheduled from 1:30 pm until 4:10 pm
- The Exhibitors Social Hour from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm held in the Exhibition Hall
On Thursday October 7th, the learning and fun continues with:
- Technical Sessions of three different tracks from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- The Septage Compliance and Master Operator Training from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Continuation of the Conference Exhibition from 8:00 am to 11:30 am
- The Annual Operators’ Lunch and Business Meeting- Lunch: 11:45 am - 12:15 pm, Meeting: 12:15 to 1:15 pm
- This year’s plant tour at the La Crosse Wastewater Plant, from 1:15 pm to 4:00 pm
- Social Hour from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm followed by the annual Awards Banquet and celebration beginning at 7:00 pm, followed up with a corn toss competition for cash prizes and other fun activities to be enjoyed throughout the evening
The conference will close on Friday morning, October 8th, with a greeting from the WWOA President at 8:30 am followed by a presentation from our Farewell Breakfast Speaker, Amy Garbe from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Ms. Garbe will be giving an update on PFAS activities around the state.
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