Milwaukee Basin Waterways Restoration - September

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Milwaukee River Basin

TMDL Implementation Newsletter

Milwaukee, Menomonee, Kinnickinnic Rivers

Milwaukee Harbor Estuary


2022


September

We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer's wreckage. We will welcome summer's ghost." - Heny Rollins


Calendar

Sep 7: Understanding Algal Blooms Conference

Sep 7: WI Salt WISE Brine Blends Webinar

Sep 8: Clean Rivers Clean Lakes Conference

Sep 13-15: One Water Summit - Milwaukee

Sep 21, 22: NASECA - Rice Lake Field Event

Sep 25: Harbor Fest

Sep 25: Sturgeon Fest

Oct 4-7: WI Wastewater Association 56th Annual Conference

Oct 5: WI Salt Wise Stories - City of De Pere

Oct 25-27: Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference

Oct 28 (multiple dates): WI Salt WISE - Smart Salting Classes

Nov 1: WI Salt Wise: Winter Equipment Open House

Nov 9: WI Salt Wise Stories - City of Eau Claire

Dec 14: WI Salt WISE - Legal & Policy Considerations for Chloride Management

Feb 2-4: WI GrassWorks Grazing Conference


DNR Logo

DNR Clean Water Act References

Milwaukee River Basin TMDL

Clean Water Act Acronyms

TMDLs FAQ

What is a TMDL?

Blue-Green Algae

WI Ag Runoff Rules

Urban Stormwater Pollution

Impaired Waters

Water Quality Trading

Adaptive Management

Phosphorus Rule

Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC)

Milwaukee Estuary AOC

Milwaukee River Sediment

Kinnickinnick River Cleanup

DNR Contacts

Project Manager 

Ag Nonpoint

Monitoring

Outreach

Stormwater

Wastewater

Clean Rivers Clean Lakes

For the past seventeen years, the Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference has been a hallmark occasion for the watershed community of practice in southeastern Wisconsin to come together to discuss strategies and projects to improve the health of our watersheds.

Clean Rivers Clean Lakes 2022

Sept 8, MATC-Mequon

For the past seventeen years, the Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust (SWWT, aka Sweet Water) has organized the hallmark Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference  for the watershed community of practice in southeastern Wisconsin. This event provides an opportunity to come together to discuss strategies and projects to improve the health of our watersheds.

The Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference will take place, in person, this year! Topics will focus on opportunities and strategies that southeastern Wisconsin municipalities and counties can use to achieve water quality improvement goals.

Where: Mequon Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Campus
Address: 5555 Highland road, Mequon
When: Thursday, September 8th, 2022
Event: In person with COVID precautions
Registration: Get your tickets HERE!

Agenda Preview

  • TMDL Implementation Plans

  • Wetlands for Stormwater Management

  • Green Infrastuctre as Natural Habitat

  • Climate Change impacts on Infrastructure Design

  • Full Agenda

2021 Land and Water Report

2021 Annual Report on WI Soil and Water Conservation

The 2021 Annual Report on WI Soil and Water Conservation is now available on the DATCP website! Please take some time to review the report and read the stories. Over 20 counties are featured either in a story, a photo or a quote this year.

The 2021 Wisconsin Soil and Water Annual Report
highlights the successes of these conservation
efforts across the state. Throughout the report, you
will read stories that capture the diverse nature of
Wisconsin’s soil and water resource needs and the
steps taken to meet these needs.

Conservation challenges across the state are diverse. This diversity requires actions designed to address the specific resource needs. Regardless of the specific requirements for addressing the resource concern, efforts to respond to resource needs are likely led by one of Wisconsin’s 72 county conservation departments or other conservation partners. Through this leadership, the outcome of action is an improvement in the health of Wisconsin’s soil and water resources. Learn about the range of conservation challenges and solutions that the state’s 72 county land and water conservation departments engaged in during 2021.  Get the report...


Sector Team Updates

Cows

Agriculture

USDA Awards Wisconsin Conservation Projects Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance innovative projects that address climate change, enhance water quality, and address other critical challenges on agricultural land.  

“Our partners are experts in their fields and understand the challenges in their own backyards,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Through RCPP we can tap into that knowledge, in partnership with producers and USDA, to come up with lasting solutions to the challenges that farmers, ranchers, and landowners face. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of public-private partnership at its best, made possible through these RCPP investments.” Read more...

Apply Now for Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Cooperative Agreements

USDA will invest up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. NRCS is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until September 22, 2022.

Read more...

New Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Resources Available

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the American Farmland Trust (AFT) are unveiling new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) resources that guides entities through the Agricultural Land Easements acquisitions process. The new resources include two new factsheets that explain the NRCS Minimum Deed Terms:

The new factsheets join a suite of additional online resources developed to help landowners and entities through ACEP- ALE’s application process. They can be accessed through AFT’s Farmland Information Centers publications page.


Sturgeon with PIT Tag

Monitoring

USDA Increases Funding for Partnerships to Safeguard, Restore Wetland Ecosystems in Wisconsin

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $20 million in fiscal 2023 to help conservation partners protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is prioritizing proposals that support broader efforts to mitigate climate change by restoring wetlands while also prioritizing assistance to underserved communities. Read more...

Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science Conference

Sept 1: Virtual, or in person, Toledo, OH

The Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science Conference will highlight current scientific knowledge related to algal blooms. 

Expected audiences include academic researchers, state and federal agencies and the agricultural community interested in the latest algal bloom science and technology, with an expected audience largely from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Members of the academic research community, state and federal agencies and the agricultural community are especially encouraged to attend.

Research and outreach leaders will present findings from recent studies and identify important areas of uncertainty. Specific topics will include:

  • Nutrients and processes behind algal blooms
  • New tools to track and predict algal blooms
  • Latest progress from Ohio agencies managing water quality and algal blooms
  • Impacts of manure and stream processes on nutrient loads

Stormwater

Outreach

USDA to Invest $5 Million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). This grant program supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits and other organizations.

“Our goal is to ensure that agricultural producers have the tools they need to successfully farm or ranch and conserve natural resources,” said Terry Cosby, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “This investment will help Tribes, states, local governments and other qualified partners work with producers to restore, create, and enhance wetland ecosystems.”

To participate in most USDA programs, agricultural producers agree to comply with the wetland conservation provisions, which means producers will not farm converted wetlands or convert wetlands to enable agricultural production. In situations where avoidance or on-site mitigation is challenging, the Farm Bill allows for off-site mitigation through the purchase of mitigation banking credits.

Read more...


Gutter

Stormwater (MS4)

WI Salt-WISE Education & Training Opportunities

Whitewater Salt Wise Winter Equipment Open House – Nov. 1

A regional equipment open house aimed at accelerating the adoption of smart winter salting best practices through peer-to-peer conversations with contractors, facilities staff from UW-Whitewater, area school districts, clinics, and municipal DPW staff. We will discuss best practices and facilitate conversations around goals and barriers, and brainstorm solutions through a show-and-tell of campus and municipal snow and ice management equipment.

Monthly Wednesday Webinars

Technical tips and success stories shared via YouTube-livestreamed conversations over the noon hour with private contractors, facility managers, and more.

Smart Salting Classes

These 4 (PLS) and 5-hour (Roads) workshops consistently impress public and private winter maintenance professionals with industry-leading guidance on how to calculate and apply the precise amount of de-icing material necessary to keep parking lots, roads, sidewalks and driveways safe.

If you have any questions regarding any of these opportunities, feel free to contact Allison: wisaltwise@gmail.com.


Wastewater

Wastewater

WWOA 56th Annual Conference

Oct 4-7, Green Bay

Registration is open for the 56th annual Wisconsin Wastewater Operators' Association  Conference. WWOA President Rick Mealy, "At this time, all my energy is focused on the upcoming conference, which is right around the corner.  Your Board of Directors has done an outstanding job of putting together another exciting conference.  Vice-President Josh Voigt has done the heavy lifting of putting together a phenomenal set of technical sessions.  But the entire Board has contributed to putting together what should be a fantastic event at the Hyatt/KI Center in Green Bay October 4 through 7.  Don’t miss out…register now!

The Wisconsin Wastewater Operators' Association's (WWOA) mission is to foster an environment that promotes the teaching and sharing of knowledge within the water industry. We do this by providing education, innovation, collaboration, promotion, and connection within the water industry.

One of WWOA's primary goals is to protect Wisconsin's water quality through effective and efficient operation of wastewater treatment facilities by trained professionals.

The WWOA is comprised of wastewater treatment professionals who serve municipalities and industries throughout the state of Wisconsin. Membership includes treatment plant operators, engineers, consultants, plant managers, equipment manufacturers, regulatory agencies, educators, and students involved in the wastewater treatment industry.


Grants

Grants

USDA to Invest $15 Million in Innovative Projects for Climate-Smart Agriculture, Urban Agriculture and Addressing Invasive Species

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation's water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and conservation in urban agricultural systems.   

“The challenges that farmers and ranchers face require innovative solutions to support their continued ability to produce the food and fiber we all depend on,” said Jeffrey Vander Wilt, Acting NRCS State Conservationist in Wisconsin. “Invasive species are a continual problem, from weeds in cotton in the East to western bark beetles and other pests in the West. Climate change has led to more extreme weather and less available water for agriculture. At the same time, we are seeing opportunities for growth. Urban farming has increased, along with an interest in local foods and resilient food systems. We’re eager to help our nation’s farmers and ranchers address these challenges and opportunities, and science and innovation will help get us there.”  

For the fiscal 2022 award process, at least 10% of the total funds available are set aside for proposals that entirely benefit historically underserved (HU) producers. This HU set-aside will ensure that equity is incorporated in the planning and delivery of CIG projects to align with NRCS’s Justice 40 goals. HU applicants can also waive the non-Federal match requirements. 

Applications are being accepted now through October 11, 2022. Private entities whose primary business is related to agriculture, nongovernmental organizations with experience working with agricultural producers and non-federal government agencies are eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, visit grants.gov.