joyce proposal draft 11-24-08

8/2/2019 Joyce Proposal Draft 11-24-08

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OverviewThisproposalpresentsthecollaborativeeffortsofandseeksJoyceFoundationsupport

forsevenWisconsinnonprofitconservationorganizationsparticipatinginthe

SoutheasternWisconsinWatershedsTrust(SWWT,ortheTrust)fromthepresenttime

throughJune

of

2012.

TheSWWTwasformedin2008. Itemergedfromyearsofdiscussionanddeliberation

abouthowthesurfacewatersofthatregionofWisconsindrainedbytheMenomonee,

Kinnickinnic(KK),MilwaukeeandRootRivers,OakCreek,theMilwaukeeHarbor

EstuaryandnearMilwaukeeLakeshorecouldbecleanedupinacosteffectivemanner.

(ForSWWTsgoalsandpurposes,seeattachedbrochure.) SWWTsstructurehasbeen

carefullyconsidered,andisinplace: anexecutivesteeringcounciloverseestheTrusts

activities;acommitteeforscientificreviewhasbeenestablished;andwatershedaction

teamsineachwatershedwillhelpdevelopwatershedrestorationplans.

AkeyunderlyingpurposeoftheSWWTiscollaborationcollaborationacross

municipalboundaries,acrossgovernmentagencies,andacrosssectors(private,

governmental,nonprofit). TheindividualsandorganizationsinvolvedintheSWWT

feelstronglythatsuchcollaborationwillgenerateinnovation,developnewanduseful

relationships,breakdownoldbarriersandobstaclestochange,andforgepolicyand

otherreformsultimatelyleadingtosignificantimprovementsinwaterqualityand

movingusforwardtowardtheprimarygoalsoftheCleanWaterActfishable,

swimmablewaters.

TherearetwoimportantbuildingblocksonwhichtheSWWT,andtheparticipationof

thesenonprofitgroups,isbuilt. OneistheupdatedRegionalWaterQuality

ManagementPlan(RWQMP),whichoutlineshowthenextorsecondsetofbuilding

blockswatershedrestorationplans willbedevelopedandimplemented,starting

withtheMenomoneeandKinnickinnicRiverwatersheds. Itsexpectedthatworkwill

beginonatleastonemorewatershedwithinthetimeframeofthisthreeyearproject

Thesewatersheds,andthewatershedrestorationplanningprocess,werechosenbecause

oftheextensiveamountofgroundworkalreadydoneinthisareabytheSoutheastern

WisconsinRegionalPlanningCommission(SEWRPC),theMilwaukeeMetropolitan

SewerageDistrict(MMSD),andthemunicipalitiesinthewatersheds.Theseplansand

theirimplementation

will

be

built

upon

existing

regulations,

evolving

regulations,

and

otherfactorsoftenoverlookedinsuchplanningexercises,suchashabitatandthe

biologicalintegrityoftheecosystem. Theywillbeshapedbycitizenparticipation.

Inplanningforbiologicalintegrity,SWWTseffortswillnotonlyenhanceregulatory

effort,butgobeyondwhatisrequiredinimprovingwaterresources. Goingbeyond


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existingregulationswillensureasustainableLakeMichiganthatcansupportthegreater

Milwaukeewatershedseconomically,recreationally,andenvironmentally.

ThesevennonprofitorganizationswhosecontributionsandparticipationintheSWWT

isdescribedinthefollowingpageshavebeenengagedindevelopingtheSWWT.Aspart

ofthe

work

supported

by

last

years

Joyce

Foundation

grant,

these

groups

are

now

fully

engagedinSWWTactivities. Eachgroupbringsitsuniqueenergy,competencyand

expertisetothecollaborative.

Collectively,thegroupsaddausefuldimensiontotheSWWT. Theyarenotconstrained

bythesamepoliticalconsiderationsthatcanoftenslowdownorstymiegovernment.

Theirrelativelysmallsizeandflatorganizationalstructuresallowforquickanddecisive

movement. Takingrisksandexperimentingwithnewapproachesinotherwords,

challengingconventionsandchangingsocietyiswhytheyareinbusiness. Whilethe

kindofworkproposedhereinwouldbedifficult,perhapsevenfoolish,toattempt

withoutbroad

collaboration

in

astructure

like

the

SWWT,

the

SWWT

itself

would

be

alessvitalorganizationwithoutthesenonprofits,andlesslikelytosucceedatitsultimate

goalofimprovingthesurfacewatersofsoutheasternWisconsin,includingthegreat

GreatLaketowhichitallflows.

TheStructureofthisProposalThisproposalisbuiltaroundfivethemesordirectionswhichemergedfromtheSWWTs

threeyearoperationalplan(seeattached). Theyare:

I. Monitoring,ModelingandtheScienceofWater

II.DevelopingandImplementingtheWatershedRestorationPlans

III.TheLegalandPolicyImplementationoftheWatershedRestorationPlans

IV.DevelopingaCommunicationsandOutreachStrategyforSWWT

V.SWWTAdministrationandCommitteeSupport

Eachsectionwillhaveaprefaceexplainingtheunderlyingpurposeofthework

describedinit,specifictaskstobedone,milestones,andexpectedoutcomesbytheend

ofthe

three

year

grant

period

(approximately

July

of

2012).

I. Monitoring,ModelingandtheScienceofWater

Goodsciencemustunderpinanyrecommendedchangesinpracticesonthelandor

reformsinpolicythatwillgetustocleanerwater. Andthebestpathwaytosound


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scienceintherealmofwaterqualityindeed,theonlywaytoreallyknowthequalityof

awaterbodyandwhetherornotchangesonthelandscapeandininfrastructureactually

improvewaterquality isthroughmundanebutmethodicalmonitoringtaking,

testingandanalyzingsamplesofwaterforvariouspollutantsandbiologicallife.

Furthermore,even

if

you

have

the

data,

its

worth

questioning

the

assumptions

of

the

modelusedtoanalyzewaterqualitydatatobesuretheresultsofthatmodelingprovide

optimalinformationtomakemanagementdecisionsaboutthesewaterbodies.

Tothatend,RiverAllianceofWisconsin,MilwaukeeRiverkeeperandClean

Wisconsinhaveleadrolesinthiselementoftheproject. RiverAlliancewillendeavorto

createanoverarching,regionwidewaterqualitymonitoringsystemandplan;

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillexpandsitsnetworkofcitizenvolunteerwatermonitors

andwillcontinuesamplingstormwateroutfallsforbacteriainboththeKKand

Menomonee. CleanWisconsinwilltaketheleadinrefiningandadaptingthemodeling

andanalysis

of

water

quality

data.

All

three

groups

will

participate

in

the

SWWTs

ScienceCommittee.

A.CreatingaUnifiedWaterQualityMonitoringPlanandSystem.

Monitoringiscommonlyusedtomeasureimprovementstowaterquality,assess

ecologicalfunction,andgaugetheeffectivenessofmanagementandrestoration

practices.However,monitoringisnotbeingdonetothefullestextentnecessaryinthe

GreaterMilwaukeewatersheds;thereforeitisdifficulttomakeinformedmanagement

decisionsandeducatethepublicaboutthequalityoftheareasstreams.Thoughseveral

institutionsaremonitoringwaterwaysinsoutheasternWisconsin,mosteffortsarenot

coordinatedorsystematic;theyarenotcarriedoutonawatershedscale;theydonot

identifymultiinstitutionalefficiencies;andnoneoperateunderaunifyinggoalaimedat

restoringwatersheds.

TheSWWThaschosentouseawatercoursewaterqualitymodeltoanalyzethemost

effectiverestorationpractices. Collectingmonitoringdataisvitaltocalibratingand

verifyingthismodel. Also,coordinated,systematicmonitoringwouldallowtheSWWT

tomeasurewaterqualityimprovementsacrosswholewatersheds.Thefactthat

additionalmonitoringisneededtocompletethewatershedrestorationplansisone

exampleofthepotentialbenefitsofacoordinatedmonitoringeffort. RiverAlliance

proposestocreateandimplementaunifiedmonitoringplanandsystemfortheGreater

Milwaukeewatersheds.

The

River

Alliance

will

lead

this

process

and

work

within

the

structureoftheSWWT,includingparticipationintheSWWTExecutiveSteeringCouncil

andtheScienceCommittee,todevelopthisplan. Thiseffortgrowsout,tosomeextent,

ofcitizenwatermonitoringconsultingundertakenbytheRiverAllianceinthefirstyear

oftheJoyceFoundationgrant.


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Tasks:

IdentifygapsinexistingdataoutsidetheMMSDservicearea(Year1) Identifychallengesandobstaclestocreatingasystematic,coherentwater

monitoringplanandsystemforthesewatersheds(Year1)

IdentifymonitoringefficienciesbothinsideandoutsideoftheMMSDservicearea

(Year

1)

CreateawaterqualitymonitoringplanforbothinsideandoutsidetheMMSDservicearea(Year2)

TestthemonitoringplanonaspecificwatershedinsoutheasternWisconsin(Years2and3)

UsewhatislearnedinthetestwatershedtoexpandtheplanandsystemtoallsoutheasternWisconsinwatersheds(Year3)

Milestones:

Year1Thoroughdescriptionofgapsinmonitoring,andobstaclestoclosingthem

Year2DraftwatermonitoringplanforinsideandoutsideMMSDareacreated;monitoringplantestedononewatershed

Year3WaterqualitymonitoringplanandsystemisrolledoutOutcome: awaterqualitystrategyandplanthatallmunicipalities,seweragedistricts

andstategovernmentcanworkfromtoensuresoutheasternWisconsinwaterwaysare

systematicallymonitoredforwaterqualitytoinformmanagementdecisionsaboutthem.

B.ExpandingtheCitizenbasedWaterQualityMonitoringProgram.

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillbuildoffthepilotphaseofthisprojectbyexpandingand

modifyingthevolunteercitizenwaterqualitymonitoringprogram,accordingtothe

recommendationsoftheScienceCommittee,andconsidertherecommendationsfrom

RiverAlliancesassessmentofdatacollectionactivitiesandgaps. Thishasbeena

successfulprogramtodate,butexistingactivitiesmayneedtobemodifiedtoprovide

datathatwillmeasureprogresstowardSWWTwaterqualitygoals.

Tasks:

Identifyprioritiesforadditionalcitizenwaterqualitymonitoring.Recruit,train,equip,andoverseevolunteers.

WorkwithRiverAllianceandScienceCommitteetoevaluateexistingprotocols,spatial

distribution,

parameters,

and

timing

and

modify

procedures

as

needed.

EnsurethatallwaterqualitymonitoringactivitieshaveanapprovedQualityAssuranceProjectPlan(QAPP).

BringfindingstobearonthedevelopmentandimplementationofWRPs.


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Milestones

AnnualorsemiannualdatasummarieswillbeavailableonthewebandreportedtoSWWTinelectronicandwrittenformats. GISmapswillbeincluded

asaroutinecomponent.

QAPPsforeachactivity.Outcome:Waterqualitydatathatcomplementstheexistingdatafrompublicagenciesis

collectedinacosteffectivewayandinformshowWRPsaredevelopedand

implemented.

C.Watersamplingandbacterialtestingtoidentifyandreduceoreliminatespecific

sourcesofpollution.

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillexpanditsmonitoringofstormwateroutfallstoidentify

sourcesofbacterialcontamination. ThegrouplaunchedthiseffortaspartoftheJoyce

fundedpilotprojectinboththeMenomoneeandKKwatersheds.Resultsfromthe2008

testingin

the

former

river

indicate

ahigh

number

of

outfalls

with

significant

bacterial

loads,evenindryweather. Focusedeffortisneededtoexpandthisworktoadditional

riversandstreams,toworkwithmunicipalitiestoidentifythesourcesofpollutionto

thoseoutfalls,andtodevisewaystoreducethispervasiveformofpollution.

SandraMcLellanoftheUniversityofWisconsinMilwaukeeWATERInstituteisseeking

fundingfromMMSDthatwouldprovidethe$9,000oflaboratorycostsperyearasa

matchtothisproject. MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillalsoworkwithSWWTtoexplore

optionsforcostsharingwithmunicipalitiesforoutfallsampletesting.

Thisisadifficultsituationformanymunicipalitiesbecauseofthelackofpalatable

financingoptions,andthelackofpublicunderstandingoftheproblem. Milwaukee

Riverkeeperwillusetheresultsofbacterialandwaterqualitytestingtoworkwith

municipalofficialsandthepublicatlargetoidentifyspecificsourcesofbacterial

pollutionandreduceoreliminatethem. Thisislikelytorequirefocusedpublicworks

projects,buthasthepotentialtoworksynergisticallywitheffortstodevelopgreen

jobsinthearea. MilwaukeeRiverkeeperhasappliedformatchingfunds(50%)through

theWisconsinCoastalManagementProgram. Municipalitieswillalsobeapproached

regardingmatchingfunds.

Tasks:

Identifyprioritiesforoutfalltestinginadditionalreachesofstreamsandrivers,andconductthosetests.(Year1Menomonee;Years2,3KKandMenomonee).

(Waterqualitysampling,mapping,etc.willbedonebyMilwaukeeRiverkeeper

staff. BacteriatestingandgenetictestingwillbedonebytheGreatLakes

WATERInstitute.)

Workcloselywithmunicipalofficialstoshareresultsfromoutfalltesting,assessneeds,andplanactions.


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Assistmunicipalofficialswithnecessarytestingprocedurestoidentifythespecificsourcesofpollutiontooutfalls.

DevelopoutreachresourcesincludingRiverReportCards,websites,andworkwithmunicipalitiesonfinancingoptions(seeSectionIV).

Encourageprivatecitizenstousewebsitetoreportobservationsofpotentialpollution

(e.g.

discharge

from

stormwater

outfall,

odors)

Milestonesordeliverables:

Reportofoutreacheffortsandproducts,includinglistofproblemoutfallsidentifiedand

repaired,numberofprivatepropertyownersworkedwith,andestimateofbacterial

loadingremovedfromMenomoneeRiver,KKandLakeMichigan.

Outcomes:Reducedbacterialcontaminationtoriversandstreams,andreduced

infiltrationandinflowtotheseweragesystem(resultinginreducedoperatingcostsand

reducedenergyusage).

D.RefiningmodelinganddataanalysistoinformWatershedRestorationPlanning

(WRP)process.

ModelinganddataanalysisintheWRPprocessiscriticaltoensuringthatsoundscience

translatesintoappropriate,effectiveandactionableplans. Thereisexistingdatathat

willbebroughtintotheWRPprocess,butthereisnewdatatoo,collectedbypartnersin

thisproject,thatcomplementstheexistingdata. CleanWisconsinwillworkwiththe

ScienceCommitteeandSWWTpartnerstoensurethatthemodelsusedtoanalyzewater

qualitydataarerefined,andthewaterqualitydatacollectedthroughthisproject

informstheWatershedActionTeams,andisincorporatedintotheWRPsforthetwo

watershedsinquestion.

Tasks:

EnsureexistingandnewdataarebroughttobearontheWRPprocess,workingcloselywithMMSD,SEWRPC,MMSDshiredconsultants,andSWWTScience

Committeemembers.

RefinethewaterqualitymodelswhereneededtoensuretheyalignwithSWWTwaterqualitygoals.


AnnualreportsonhowmodelinganddataanalysisarebeingusedtoguidetheWRP

process.

WRPsforeachwatershedwhoserecommendationsreflecttheuseofwaterqualitydata.

Outcome: Soundscience,groundedingoodwaterqualitydataanalysisandmodeling

refinements,willinformtheWatershedRestorationPlans.


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D.ParticipatingintheScienceCommittee.

SoundscienceunderpinsallthatSWWTendeavorstoseehappenunderitsauspices.

TheSWWTScienceCommitteesworkisonekeypartoftheeffortsadherencetothat

keyprinciple.CleanWisconsinandMilwaukeeRiverkeepercurrentlyparticipatein

theScienceCommitteeandwillcontinuerepresentingthepublicinterestonthis

committee.Milwaukee

Riverkeeper

will

identify

for

the

committee

the

specific

monitoringneedsforcreatingasolidbaselineofdata. CleanWisconsinsroleonthe

committeewillbetoevaluateandimprovemodelingefforts.Bothorganizationswill

worktoensuresciencebaseddecisionsareusedinplanningwatershedrestorations,

settinggoalsforwaterquality,andgenerallyassessingprogress.

II. DevelopingandImplementingtheWatershedRestorationPlans

(WRPs)

Asstated

earlier,

the

Watershed

Restoration

Plans

(WRPs)

and

their

implementation

are

essentialbuildingblocksfortheentirewaterqualityimprovemententerprisein

southeasternWisconsin.

Watershedrestorationplanningistheforumandthevehiclebywhichscientific

informationiscollectedfromthewatersheds. Itwillbeusedtopaintthepictureof

waterqualityproblemsfacingthemandtranslatedintoapracticalactionplantoaddress

thoseproblemsontheground. LocallydevelopedWatershedActionTeams(WATs)are

theorganizingdeviceforcitizeninputandparticipationinthisprocess.

ThisvehiclecarriesSWWTparticipantsrighttotheheartofSWWTsoverarchingwater

qualityimprovement

vision.

It

as

critical

that

the

conservation

nonprofits

play

acentral

roleinthisprocess,alongsideMMSDshiredconsultants,SEWRPC,DNR,andotherkey

partners. Amongmanyimportantfunctions,communicatingthisprocesstothepublicis

essential: wordofthiswatershedplanningprocessneedstobespreadfarandwide,and

earlyandoften,toensureeffectiveandactiveengagementbythepublic,whichinturn

willhelpensurethatactionsrecommendedintheWRPsareimplementedovertime.

CleanWisconsin,MilwaukeeRiverkeeper,1000FriendsofWisconsin(1KFriends),

RiverRevitalizationFoundation(theFoundation)andSixteenthStreetCommunity

HealthCenter(SixteenthStreet),arethenonprofitconservationstakeholdersinSWWT

working

on

the

watershed

restoration

plans

that

will

be

developed

by

Watershed

Action

Teams(WATs),ofwhichtheywillbeapart. Eachorganizationcoversdistinctaspectsof

theprocessandfillsuniquerolesinthiswork. Intheplanningphase,SixteenthStreet,

CleanWisconsinandMilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillengagewithotherSWWTpartnersin

theWRPprocess,startingwiththeKKRiverandMenomoneeRiverwatersheds. Inthe

implementationphase,itwillbetheFoundation,MilwaukeeRiverkeeper,Sixteenth

Streetand1KFriendsthatwillparticipateinonthegroundimplementationactivities


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consistentwiththeWRPsfortheKKandMenomonee,andpossiblyoneadditional

watershedduringthegrantperiod.

TheseorganizationswillrepresenttheJoycefundedSWWTconservationnonprofitsand

thepublicinterestintheseprocesses. MilwaukeeRiverkeeperswillfullyengagetheir

networkof

members,

volunteers,

and

contacts

in

the

planning

process

in

all

watersheds

thatwilldevelopWRPs.Inparticular,itwillmaketheconnectionbetweentheirdata

collection,monitoringworkandevaluationprocesses(describedelsewhereinthe

proposal)toassistinshapinganddevelopingtheWRPsfortheMenomoneeandthe

Kinnickinnic.

SixteenthStreetwillengageitsenvironmentalprofessionalsintheKKRiverwatershed

planningprocess,drawingupontheirdecadesofexperienceworkinginthe

neighborhoodsofthatriverbasin,especiallyLatinofamiliesandbusinesses,toensure

thattheyareactivelyengagedindevelopingandimplementingthatbasinsWRP.Forits

part,Clean

Wisconsin

will

focus

its

involvement

in

the

Menomonee

River

watershed,

drawingonitsscientific,naturalresourcemanagement,planning,andwaterpolicy

expertisetoadvisetheWATinthatwatershedtoimplementthatWRP. Clean

WisconsinwillalsoworkwithSixteenthStreettoconnectinsightsgainedintheWRP

processtomacrolevelpolicydiscussionstakingplaceattheSWWTLegalandPolicy

Committee.

TheFoundationsproposedworktoprotectandrestorecriticalhabitatsidentified

throughtheirearlieranalysiswillfosterrestorationoftheMenomoneeRiverwatershed.

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperandSixteenthStreetalsoproposeundertakingspecific

watershedrestorationprojectstoimplementtheWRPs,althoughthespecificsitesand

natureofthatworkwillbeidentifiedduringtheplandevelopmentphase.

Tasksfortheparticipatinggroupsacrossbothwatersheds(andbeyond):

ParticipateinallongoingWatershedRestorationPlanningprocesses,andoneachWatershedActionTeam(allthreeyears).

WorkwithMMSDsconsultantsandotherSWWTpartners,particularlykeystakeholdersandneededimplementersineachwatershed;useNGOcitizen

networkstohelpimprovepublicparticipation.

Withsciencedrivingtheprocess,setandrecommendpriorityactionstoreachidentifiedwaterqualitygoals.

Assessdatagapsandrecommendstepsforfillingthosegaps. Connectscience,political,andpolicydimensionsofthiswork. Ensureoutcomebasedassessmentsareinplacetomeasureprogresstowardthe

goals.

HelpcoordinateimplementationofeachcompletedWRPatgrassrootslevel(Years23).


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CompletedWRPsfortheMenomoneeandKinnickinnicwatersheds(December2009)

AgreeduponchoicesofnexttargetwatershedsforWRPwork(December2009) CompletedWRPsfortwoadditional(sub)watersheds(December2011) CommencementofWRPprocessfor12additional(sub)watersheds(December

2012)

Outcomes:SoundWRPswillbegeneratedinacollaborativeandinnovativefashionin

keepingwiththeoverarchingpurposeoftheSWWT. Theseplanswillbesupportedbya

broadgrassrootsconstituencycommittedtotheirimplementation.

Thefollowingsectionsdescribethreediscretebutinterrelatedwatershedrestoration

planningprojectsfortheKK,Menomonee,andanurbanstretchoftheMilwaukeeRiver.

A.EngagingtheCommunityinWatershedRestorationPlanningfortheKinnickinnic

RiverWatershed.

SixteenthStreetwillleverageitsrelationships,networksandunderstandingoftheKK

Riverwatershedbuiltoverthepastfouryearstosoliciteffectivecommunity

participationindevelopingandimplementingtheKinnickinnicRiverWRPinawaythat

fosterslongtermsupportandsustainability.

Tasks:

IdentifykeystakeholdersfromtheneighborhoodsintheKKRiverwatershedandinstitutionalpartnerstoparticipateinWRPprocess(Year1)

MeetwithkeystakeholdersindividuallytodescribetheSWWTandWRPandcharacterizebenefitsfromimplementingtheWRP(Year1)

EngagethegeneralpublicandresidentsindevelopingtheWRP(Year1) EnsurestakeholderparticipationintheplanningprocessthroughtheWatershed

ActionTeamandengagetheminspecificprojectstoimplementtheWRP(Year2

andbeyond)


DuringYear1,asignificantnumberofcommunitystakeholderswillbeinvolvedinthepublicmeetingsaspartoftheWRPdevelopmentprocess. InYears2and

3,significant

community

involvement

will

continue

to

ensure

effective

implementationoftheWRP.

Outcomes: Astrong,communitydrivenWRPandspecificWRPcomponentsare

developedthatbuildsignificantvalueforthecommunitiesandresidentsofthe

KinnickinnicRiverwatershed.


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B.ImplementingtheWRPintheKinnickinnicRiverWatershed.

SixteenthStreetwillleverageitsrelationships,networksandunderstandingoftheKK

RiverwatershedtodeveloptwospecificWatershedRestorationPlan(WRP)

components. Thesecomponentsshouldimprovewaterqualityandhabitatalongkey

stretchesoftheKinnickinnicRiver. Theycanbereplicatedinthisandotherwatersheds

ofthe

Milwaukee

River

basin.

Thetwoprojectsapplyingresidentialbestmanagementpracticeswithinalimited

geographicarea(e.g.onecityblock),andplanninganddesigninglandrestoration

techniquesonlandownedbyMilwaukeeCountywillbeimplementedalongthemain

stemoftheKinnickinnicRiver. TheSWWTsScienceCommitteewillassistinthese

effortsbyrecommendingthebestlocationsfortheseactivities. Theseactivitiesparallel

andcomplementongoingworkspearheadedbyMMSDandothersrelatedto

rehabilitatingthechannelandmanagingfloodsalonga2.5milestretchoftheKK. The

stormwaterBMPsdevelopedandimplementedaspartofthisprojectwouldbe

integratedinto

the

larger

MMSD

neighborhood

planning

and

channel

rehabilitation/floodmanagementproject.

SixteenthStreetwillpartnerwiththeconservationnonprofit1,000Friendsof

Wisconsin(1KFriends)ontheneighborhoodBMPproject. 1KFriendswillbringits

expertiseonlanduseplanning,urbancommunitydesignandmediaoutreachtothis

table. 1KFriendswillengageearlyonintheprocessthroughitsparticipationwiththe

WatershedActionTeamfortheKKwatershed,andassisttheteaminselecting

appropriatepropertiesinreducingstormwateroutfallstotheKK.

TasksforresidentialBMPapplication(SixteenthStreetand1KFriends):

Meetwithappropriatepublicsectoragencies(e.g.MilwaukeeDept.ofPublicWorks,MMSD,WDNR)tosolicitparticipationandplanningassistance(Year1)

Developacommunicationandoutreachstrategyappropriateforthepropertyownersandresidentsofthetargetarea(e.g.bilingualmaterials,facetoface

interactions,etc.).(Year2)

MeetwithpropertyownerstodiscusssitespecificandareawideBMPopportunitiesandsolicitparticipationintheproject(Year2)

DevelopanimplementationbudgetthatreflectstheconsolidatedsitespecificBMPopportunities(Year2)

Secureimplementationfunding,implementsitespecificandareawideBMPopportunities

and

conduct

appropriate

monitoring

to

evaluate

impact

on

water

quality(Year2andbeyond)

TasksforpubliclandBMPapplication(SixteenthStreet):

MeetwithrepresentativesfromCityofMilwaukee,MilwaukeeCounty,andMMSDtodiscussBMPopportunitiesandsolicitparticipationandplanning

assistance(Year1)


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EvaluateopportunitiesforBMPapplicationbasedoncost,feasibilityandanticipatedecologicalimprovements(Year12)

Solicitprofessionalexpertise(e.g.civilandenvironmentalengineering,landscapearchitecture,ecology)anddevelopconceptualplansforBMP

application

Developdetailedengineeringplansthat includespecificcostestimates(Year2) Secureimplementationfunding,implementBMPopportunitiesandconduct

appropriatemonitoringtoevaluateimpactonwaterquality(Year3andbeyond)


Conceptualanddetailedimplementationplansforstormwaterbestmanagement

practicesonresidentialandpubliclandsalongtheKKRiver. Ifimplementationfunding

issecuredbeginninginYear3,projectdeliverableswillalsoincludeBMP

implementationandrelatedmonitoringtoevaluatetheeffectivenessoftheBMP

applications.

Outcomes:Stormwaterbestmanagementpracticesonresidentialpropertiesandpublic

landsthatcontributetoreducedimpervioussurfacesandquantifiablewaterqualityand

habitatimprovementsalongkeystretchesoftheKinnickinnicRiver.

C.ImplementtheMenomoneeRiverLandProtectionPlanrecommendationsandthe

MilwaukeeRiverLandProtectionPlan(i.e.fromtheestuaryupstreamtothecounty

line).

ThisprojectwillallowtheRiverRevitalizationFoundation(theFoundation)toextend

itslandprotectionplanningtotheMenomoneeRiver. Theplanwillidentifyremaining

remnantsofundevelopedlandwithinthewatershedabletofilterstormwater,recharge

groundwater,andbuffershorelines.

TheFoundation,asMilwaukeesurbanriverslandtrust,canprovideserviceswhichwill

advancethepotentialoftheWRPstoprotectcriticalhabitat: landownercontact,parcel

acquisitionandrestoration,traillinks,stewardshipeducationandimplementationof

conservationoptions(e.g.obtainingeasements,acceptinglanddonations,negotiating

purchases). TheFoundationwillemployinthesewatershedsthesuccessfulpractices

andleveragetherelationshipsdevelopedonotherprojects(e.g.MilwaukeeRiverWork

GroupCentralParkoverlaystrategy,theParkPeople,SixteenthStreetCommunity

HealthCenter,Greenseams,GatheringWatersConservancy,LandTrustAlliance,

MilwaukeeRiver

Work

Group,

M7

Water

Council,

and

private

landowners).

Tasks(allthreeyears):

Investigateandprioritizeparcelsalongtheriver(s)withhighpotentialforwaterqualityandhabitatimprovements.


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Recommendlandownercontactsandparcelacquisitionoreasementsineachmunicipality;allocateresourcestotheseparcelsbasedonranking(determined

byconservationvaluesofeachsite)andmapping.

Partnerwiththosemunicipalitiesandlandownerstoadvocateforsoundlanduseandprotectiveordinancestopreservetheprimaryenvironmentalcorridor.

Conductrestorationinareasidentifiedashavinghighecologicalsignificancetoincreasebiodiversity,floodmanagementandwaterqualityatprioritysites.

Offerlandmanagementservicestopublicpropertyowners(e.g.countyparks). EngageminorityyouthandstudentsthroughtheCityofMilwaukeesEarn&

LearnPrograminselectedrestorationprojectareas.

Increasepublicaccesstotheriverbybuildingtrailconnectionsandstewardshipopportunities.

Influencelandownerinteractionwithinthewatershedbyeducatingandengagingthepublicinvolunteerstewardshipactivities,eventsandprograms,

especiallyforurbanyouth.

Milestones:

Conservationoptionsandtoolswillbeprovidedtoall5municipalitiesandtargetedlandownersabuttingtheMenomoneeRiverathighprioritysites.

AllpropertiesintheLandProtectionPlan(s)willbeassignedconservationvaluebasedonrankingcriteria;criticalhabitatrestorationpotentialwillbeestablished.

AtleastonerecommendationintheMenomoneeRiverLandProtectionPlanwillbeimplemented.

LandprotectionplanningwillbeexpandedtoincludethetributariesoftheMilwaukeeRiver,orthosestreamsidentifiedasprioritiesbytheSWWT

ExecutiveSteeringCouncil.

CulturaldiversityintheenvironmentalsectorwillbeincreasedthroughparticipationinEarn&Learnandotherprogramswhichemployurbanyouth

andvolunteers.

Outcomes:

Widespreaddeliveryofconservationpracticesandissuesfacedinurbanwatersheds.

Strategyandtargetswillbeidentifiedforlongtermprotectionsofthecorridor. Appreciationofandparticipationinnaturalresourceprotectioninurbanareas

willimproveandincrease.

OneormoreparcelsoflandwithintheMenomoneeRiverWatershedwillbeprotected.

D.HighlightingStormwaterasanAmenityStormwatermanagementistoofrequentlyimplementedasastandaloneengineered

solutiontowatermanagementandnotincorporatedintothedesignofadevelopment

thataddsvaluetothatdevelopment. Asaresult,stormwaterplansmaydetractfrom


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13

theaestheticsofagivenproject,ormaybedevelopedsothattheopportunitytobea

communityamenityislost.

Conversely,stormwaterprojectsdevelopedasintegralpartsofacommunitycansolve

multiplechallengesorprovidevibrantpublicspacesthatalsoservetoeducateabout

howcommunities

address

the

critical

issue

of

clean

water.

Thisproject,managedby1,000FriendsofWisconsin,developsadesigncompetitionto

highlightBMPsthatmakestormwatermanagementacommunityamenity. Working

withtheWATsanddesignedasawaytoimplementtheWRPs,1KFriendswillidentify

sitesinthreedistinctcommunities(centralcity,innerringsuburbandsuburban/rural)to

designandimplementstormwatermanagementfacilitiesthatcanbedevelopedas

amenities. Throughtheirinteractionwiththefacilities,localresidentswillbetter

understandtheimportanceofBMPs.

Thisproject

represents

an

extension

of

1K

Friends

current

work

to

demonstrate

the

linkagebetweenlanduseandwaterqualitybyhighlightingBMPs.Theactualdesign

workwillbedoneprobonobyvendorsselectedtoparticipateinthedesign

competition.

Tasks:

WiththeWATs,identifypotentialprojectcommunitiesandappropriateBMPs. Meetwithcommunityleadersanddevelopersatselectedsitestodevelopscope

ofworkfordesignteam.

Meetwithpotentialvendorstoparticipateinanddevelopcriteriafordesigncompetitionfeaturingstormwatermanagementssystemsasamenities.

(Examplesofamenitiesinclude asoccerfieldthatretainsstormwater;

communitygardens;downtowngatheringareasornaturalizedstreamsinhighly

urbanizedareas.)

Solicitparticipationbyvendors,includingtheparticipationofstudentsinengineering,landscapearchitectureorotherrelatedfield

Workwithvendorstohostdesigncharettewherefeasible;selectpanelofjudges;electwinningdesigns;promoteinthemedia.


Projectsandvendorsareselectedforcompetition,designcriteriaareadopted(Year

2).

Winnersareselectedandwillimplementtheprojectsinthecommunities(Year3).

Outcomes:Threehighvisibilityprojectswillbedevelopedthatdemonstratehow

stormwatermanagementcanbeanintegralpartofcommunitydesignthataddsvalueto


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14

thecommunity. Also,therewillbegreaterpublicsupportforBMPsandbetter

understandingoftheimportanceofstormwatermanagementsystems.

III.TheLegalandPolicyImplementationoftheWatershed

RestorationPlans

SixteenthStreet,MidwestEnvironmentalAdvocates(MEA)andCleanWisconsinare

theconservationnonprofitsfocusedonlegalandpolicyaspectsoftheSWWT. Each

organizationholdsauniquenicheinthiselementoftheproject. SixteenthStreetwill

convenetheLegalandPolicyCommitteeoftheSWWTandactasthebridgefromthis

CommitteetotheExecutiveSteeringCouncil. MEAwillprovidelegalresearchand

advicetoSWWTmembersonlegalandpolicyissuesthatarise,includingwatershed

permittingandwatershedtrading,andwillparticipateinallmeetingsoftheLegaland

PolicyCommittee. CleanWisconsinwillworktoadvanceanyneededchangestostate

lawsor

regulations.

Clean

Wisconsin

and

Sixteenth

Street

will

serve

bridge

roles

betweentheWatershedActionTeamsandtheLegalandPolicyCommittee,withClean

WisconsintakingtheleadfortheMenomoneeRiverWatershedActionTeamand

SSCHCtakingtheleadforitscounterpartintheKKwatershed.

A. AnalyzingandadvisingtheSWWTonlegalrequirementsandoptionsforwatershedrestoration.

MEAwillprovideadviceabouthowtoensuretheWRPsmeettherequirementsofa

TotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL),ifrequiredbylawtodoso,inordertoofficially

removetheimpairedwatersintheBasinfromthe303(d)impairedwaterslist.Thiswill

helpmeet

SWWTs

Strategic

Plan

goal

to

ensure

the

Watershed

Restoration

Plans

are

basedonqualitydataandaccountforbroaderenvironmentalgoals.

Tasks(Year1):

Analyzeandpreparereportonsufficiencyofrestorationplanstoremovewatersfrom303(d)impairedwaterslist

Conferwithregulatorsonanalysis PresentfindingstoSWWTsLegalandPolicyCommitteeandtotheExecutive

SteeringCouncil

Milestones

or

deliverables:

AreportfortheSWWTanalyzingthesufficiencyofrestorationplanstoremovewatersfrom303(d)list

Outcomes:ThisworkwillinformSWWTabouttheoptionsavailable,helpSWWTmake

suretherestorationplanswillmeetregulatoryrequirements,andultimatelymovecloser

toremovingthewatersfromthe303(d)listofimpairedwaters.


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15

B.TaketheLegalandPolicyOptionsMemorandumpreparedinSeptember2008to

thenextlevel.

MidwestEnvironmentalAdvocates(MEA)willrefineandrevisetheLegalandPolicy

OptionsMemorandum(seeattached)asmoredataiscollectedandmorediscussionsare

heldwiththeWDNR,whichmustultimatelyendorseanoverallwatershedrestoration

approach.This

will

assist

SWWT

in

meeting

its

own

goal

to

test

and

then

implement

innovativeapproachesandpracticesthatwillachieveimprovementsinwater

resources. MEA,CleanWisconsinandSixteenthStreetwillalsocontinuetomeetwith

bothregionalandstatelevelDNRstaffregardingpolicyoptionsandidentifying

potentiallegalimpedimentstoimplementthegoalsoftheSWWT.

Dependingontheimplementationapproachselected,MEAwilladvisetheSWWTand

drafttheconceptualframeworkforimplementation. Forexample,iftheTrust

determinesthegoalsofwatershedrestorationarebestservedbyawatershedpermit,

MEAwillprovideguidanceinidentifyingwhattypeofwatershedpermitismost

appropriate(e.g.,

general

permit,

watershed

based

individual

permits,

multi

source,

multipollutantpermits)andanalyzethelegalauthorityforWDNRtoissuesuch

permits,identifyinganylegalimpedimentsandpolicyoptions. MEAwillthendraftthe

criteriatobecontainedinsuchapermittoreflecttheneedsanddesiresoftheSWWTto

restorethetargetedwatershed. MEAwillalsoprovideguidanceonpollutanttrading

andanalysisofoptionspotentiallyavailableforpollutanttradingincontextof

implementationofthewatershedrestorationplans.

Tasks:

RefineandrevisetheLegalandPolicyOptionsMemorandumincorporatingnewdataandinformationfromregulatoryauthorities.

CoordinatewiththenonprofitsandotherSWWTstakeholderstocommunicatefeaturestobeincludedintheimplementationoptions.

ProvideguidancetoSWWTonwatershedpermitandpollutanttradingoptionsavailable(Year1).

Draftcriteriatobecontainedinpermitstoensurerestorationissecuredifawatershedpermitisappropriate;draftcriteriaforapollutanttradingprogramif

thisisappropriatefortargetedwatershed(Years23).

DeveloplaypersondocumentsthatcommunicatetheimplementationoptionsselectedbytheSWWT(Years23).

ParticipateinmeetingsoftheLegalandPolicyCommitteetoprovidelegalsupport

for

implementation

policies.


SWWTisinformedonwatershedpermitandpollutanttradingoptionsavailable(Year1)

Criteriaareavailableforeitherawatershedpermitorpollutanttradingprogram,dependingonwhichisappropriateforthetargetedwatershed.(Years23)


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16

DocumentsthatcommunicatetheimplementationoptionsselectedbytheSWWTaremadeavailabletothepublic(Year23).

Outcomes: Anappropriatelegalvehicleforsecuringrestorationofthetargeted

watershediscreated.

C.Reviewingandanalyzingcurrentpracticesandpoliciescrucialto

implementingWatershedRestorationPlans(WRPs).

InordertoimplementWRPsthatgobeyondcurrentregulatoryrequirementsand

programstoimprovewaterquality,itwillbenecessarytocraftappropriatevehiclesto

effectivelyandefficientlycarryouttheplans. Itappearsthatimplementingtheplans

willcombinecurrentlegaltoolsandpracticeswithsomenewapproachesinorderto

maximizetheireffectiveness.

SixteenthStreethasbeenworkingwithMEA,CleanWisconsinandotherconservation

nonprofitsto

review

and

analyze

current

practices

and

policies

instrumental

to

implementingWRPs.ItisanticipatedthattheVicePresidentofSixteenthStreetwill

workwiththeSWWTsSteeringCounciltocreatalegalpolicycommitteewhichwill

serveastheforumtoanalyzeappropriateapproachesforimplementingtheWRPsand

hewilldevote10%ofhistimetothisobjectiveasamatchtotheproject.

Tasks:

BuildonexistinglegalanalysesandtailorappropriateimplementationstrategiesfortheWRPs oftheMenomoneeandKinnickinnicwatershedsandother

watersheds(Years13).

Convene

the

nonprofits

and

appropriate

government

and

business

representativestoexploreeffectiveapproachesforimplementingWRPs.

EngagetheWDNR,localgovernmentsandMMSDofficials,SWWTpartnersandthegeneralpublicindevelopingandadoptingacceptableWRPimplementation

approaches.

Milestones:

AnanalysisofvariousoptionsandlegalapproachesforimplementingeachWRPwillbe

developedandfullyvettedwithappropriatestateandlocalofficialsandthegeneral

publicthroughtheSWWTslegalandpolicycommittee.

Outcomes:A

preferred

option

will

be

adopted

by

the

local

governments,

DNR

and

SWWTtoimplementeachofthedesignatedWRPsduringYears2and3.

D.Educatingandadvocatingfornecessarystatelevelpolicychangesto

implementtheSWWTsapproachestoimprovingwaterquality.Thereiseverypossibilitythatchangestostatelevelpolicymaybenecessarytooptimize

SWWTsabilitytoaccomplishitsgoals(i.e.,nextgenerationwaterquality


17/24

17

improvements).Suchchangeswillneedtobeadvancedinacoordinatedmanner. As

otherpartiesaroundthestateofWisconsin(andeventheU.S.EnvironmentalProtection

Agency)maybeinterestedinthesechanges,thepossibilityexiststosecureacoalitionof

partnersfromoutsideofSWWTtohelpaccomplishthisgoal.

CleanWisconsin

will

work

with

the

NGOs

and

SWWT

partners

to

educate

the

public

andstatedecisionmakersontheneedforstatelevelpolicychangesandtoadvocatefor

thosechangesinordertoseethemrealizedbylegislativeoradministrativeaction.

Tasks:

Determinepotentialpolicychanges,andcoordinateeffortswithSWWTpartnersandpossiblyothersaroundthestate.

EducateandadvocatespecificpolicychangesthatwouldenableSWWTtoaccomplishitsgoals.

Milestonesor

deliverables:

WDNRprocessesareinitiated,tomodifyexistingpolicies,rulesorcreatenewruleswithintheconfinesofexistingstateandfederallawandifnecessary

legislationissponsoredtocloseidentifiedpolicy/legalgaps.

Outcomes:Necessarymodificationstostatepolicyaremadetoenableapproaches

deemednecessaryforSWWTssuccess.

IV.DevelopingaCommunicationandOutreachStrategyfor

SWWT

Coordinatedoutreachandmediarelationsareessentialtothesuccessoftheworkof

SWWT. Mostoftheactivitiesproposedforthisprojectinvolvecommunicationandan

opportunitytoreachouttoandeducatethemunicipalofficialsandresidentsofthe

watersheds.Asworkwithcommunitiesthroughoutthewatershedproceeds,itiscritical

thataconsistentmessageandapproachtothemediaisfollowed.

1000FriendsofWisconsin(1KFriends)willassistandcoordinatethedevelopmentofa

communicationsandoutreachstrategyandcoordinatethecommunicationeffortsof

SWWTand

the

nonprofit

stakeholders

of

SWWT

to

ensure

there

is

consistent

communicationsandoutreachthatalsoavoidsoverlap.Evenwhiletheseeffortswillbe

coordinatedandintegrated,eachNGObringsitsuniqueexpertisetovarious

componentsofaSWWTcommunicationseffort:

1KFriendswillworkwithandcoordinatethemunicipalitiesoutreachandeducation

programforstormwater. MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillprovidetwodistinctoutreach


18/24

18

toolstoeducatethepubliconthehealthoftherivers.CleanWisconsinwillcoordinatea

massmediaoutreacheffortthroughaninformalmediaworkgroup.

A.Developingacommunicationsandoutreachstrategy

1KFriends

will

lead

the

development

of

an

overall

communications

and

outreach

strategythatwilltakethemissionandpurposesofSWWTandtranslatetheminto

marketingmaterialsandmakethemavailabletothepublic,especiallyresidentsand

governmentofficialsofthewatersheds.

Tasks:

Identifyandworkwithaprofessionalpublicrelationspersonorfirmto:o Developthemessage(Year1)o Developacommunicationsandoutreachstrategy.(Year1)

CoordinatethecommunicationsandoutreachstrategywiththeSWWTparticipants.

(Years

13).

Milestones:

Communicationsandoutreachstrategyiscompleted(Year1) Communicationsmaterialsaredisseminatedthroughoutthewatersheds.(Years

13)

Outcomes:TheresidentsandgovernmentofficialsareinformedonSWWTsmission

andprinciples.

B.

Enabling

municipalities

to

meet

stormwater

permit

outreach

requirements.Currentlyeachpermittedmunicipality(therearefourcountiesand14municipalitiesin

theMenomoneeandKKRiverwatersheds)arerequired,undertheWDNRsPollution

DischargeEliminationSystem(WPDES)toimplementapubliceducationandoutreach

program,withmeasurablegoals,toincreasetheawarenessofstormwaterpollution

impactsandencouragechangesinpublicbehaviortoreducethem.

TheUniversityofWisconsinExtension(UWEX)hascreatedatemplateforoutreachand

educationformunicipalitieswithintheMilwaukeeRiverBasinthatishassharedwith

many

communities

throughout

the

region.

However,

the

outreach

program

does

not

includecomponentsspecifictocommunitiesdevelopingWRPsintheMenomoneeand

KKwatersheds.Moreover,communitieswithintheprojectareahaveexpressedastrong

interestinhavingconsistent,highqualityeducationalandoutreachmaterialsdeveloped

thatcanbeusedbycommunitieswithinthetargetwatersheds. SWWTisuniquely

positionedtodevelopthosematerialstobeusedlocally,helpingavoidduplicationof

effortandbringingdownthecostsofimplementingpubliceducationandoutreach.


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19

1KFriendswillcollaboratewithUWEXtodevelopthepubliceducationandoutreach

programfortheMenomoneeandKKwatersheds. Asubcommitteeonpubliceducation

andoutreachfromthosewatershedsWatershedActionTeamswillbecreated.The

subcommittee,populatedbyrepresentativesofcommunitieswithinthewatershed,

UWEXand1KFriends,wouldreviewandapproveeducationandoutreachprogram

componentsfor

communities

to

adopt.

1KFriendswouldworkwithUWEXandMMSDtoprepareinformationalmaterials

includingbrochures,pamphletsandshortvideosforusebyindividualcommunities.

(Themunicipalitieswouldcoverthecostofduplicatingsuchmaterials.)

Tasks(Years13):

MeetwithUWEX,WDNRandselectedcommunitiestoassesspubliceducationandoutreachneeds

CreatepubliceducationandoutreachsubcommitteesfromtheWatershedActionTeams

CollaboratewithUWEX,WDNR,MMSDandcommunitiestoeditUWEXtemplateforpubliceducationandoutreachtomeetspecificneedsof

communitieswithinMenomoneeandKKwatersheds

WorkwithUWEX,MMSDandDNRtodevelopeducationalmaterialsincluding(butnotlimitedto)pamphlets,brochuresandvideosthatwillbeavailableto

communitiesforreplication.

Milestones:

Stormwatereducationandoutreachprogramswillbedevelopedandputintooperationby34municipalitiesinYear1,andin68othersinYears2and3.

Outcome: Thelegalrequirement,undertheWPEDESprogram,formunicipalitiesto

provideinformationandeducationtotheircitizensaboutmanagingstormwaterwillbe

fulfilledundertheaegisofSWWT.

C.Developingwaterqualitypublicoutreachtools

Elsewherearoundthecountry,waterqualityreportcardshavebeenusedasa

convenientandconsistentannualcommunicationtothepublicaboutthestatusoftheir

rivers. Thesereportcards,ifdonewell,alsoservetofocusattentionoftheregulated

communityonimprovingwaterqualityandachievingmeasurablewaterqualitygoals.

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillcreateanannualRiverReportCardthatdrawsattentionto

thewaterqualityinthetargetwatersheds,focusingonmeasurablewaterqualitygoals.

Itwillcreateawebsitethatallowscitizenstounderstandtheirrivers,theirsourcesof

pollution,andtoreporttheirownobservationsandsuccesses.


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20

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperwillalsoprovideastateoftheart,interactivewebmapping

andvisualtoolsthatcanillustratethewatershedandknownsourcesofpollution. Using

GISsoftware,anddatacollectedwhiletestingstormwateroutfalls(e.g.GPSlocations,

photographs,labtestresults,personalobservations,etc.)aninteractivemapthatallows

viewerstoeasilyviewthisinformationandprovideupdatedobservationsastheyoccur

willbe

built.

Water

quality

information

from

other

testing

programs

(e.g.

MMSD,

U.S.

GeologicalSurvey,volunteerwatermonitoringprograms)willbeaddedand

approachestoillustratetheriversconditionsinlaypersonstermswillbedeveloped.

MilwaukeeRiverkeeperhasappliedformatchingfundsforthisprojectthroughthe

WisconsinCoastalManagementProgram.Thesefunds,ifreceived,wouldalsoapply

towardoutreachonillicitdischargesona5050matchbasis. MilwaukeeRiverkeeper

hasalreadyacquiredtheGISsoftware,andisseekingprivatefundsthatwouldupgrade

theirwebsitesplatformsothattheinteractivemappingcapabilitywouldbefeasible.

SignificantinvolvementwiththeScienceCommitteewilloccuronthisproject,aswellas

consultationwith

the

Environmental

Protection

Agency,

which

has

created

very

successfulreportcardsforMassachusettsCharlesRiverforthepast13years.

Tasks:

Createwebsite,usingGISandmaplayerstoincludeaerialphotographs,waterfeatures,roadfeatures,stormwateroutfalls,andlanduse.

Createatool(basedonstandardformatsfromtheCenterforWatershedProtection)thatallowswebsitevisitorstoaddtheirowndataandobservations

andsendalerts.

CreateannualRiverReportCards,beginningwithMenomoneeandKKwatersheds,thataretiedtothewaterqualitygoalsestablishedbySWWT.


Interactivewebmappingandvisualtoolsthatillustratesourcesofbacteriaincludingbacterialhotspots,andallowsviewerstoprovideinput.

CreationofRiverReportCardssummarizingwaterqualityandfisheriesinformation,areasofconcern,suspectedsourcesofpollution,andstepstoreduce

pollutiontotheriveranddocumentsuccesses.

Outcomes:Focusedachievementofwaterqualitygoals,andgreatergrassroots

understandingoflocalwaterqualityconditions.

D.CommunicatingtheSWWTthroughthemassmedia.ThemassmediawillbeanimportantavenueforsharinginformationontheSWWT

effort,withkeytargetaudienceslikelytoincludethepublic,decisionmakers,and

potentialfundingsources.ItisessentialfortheSWWTtocelebrateitssuccessesina

highlyvisibleway.


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21

CleanWisconsinwillbringitsexperienceinthisarenatobearontheSWWTeffortin

southeasternWisconsin.ItwillhelpimplementthemassmediaaspectsofSWWTs

adoptedcommunicationsplan,focusingonearnedmedia(botholdandnewmedia),

aligningmessagestoboththemeansofcommunicationandtheintendedaudiences.

Tasks:

AssistincreatingtheSWWTcommunicationsplan,particularlyasitrelatestomassmedia.

CoordinateeffortstogeneratemediaattentionfortheSWWTactivitiesandaccomplishments.


ASWWTcommunicationsplanthatspeakstotheimportanceofgarneringtheattentionofmassmediaoutlets.

SignificantearnedmediaforrelevantaspectsoftheSWWTefforteachyear.Outcomes:

RecognitionamongkeyplayersofthesuccessandvalueofSWWT. PublicandpoliticalwilltoseethegoalsofSWWTrealized. SubstantialfinancialandotherformsofsupportgeneratedfortheSWWTeffort.

V. SWWTAdministrationandCommitteeSupport

ThelongtermsuccessoftheSWWT achievingsignificantimprovementsinthequality

of

the

waters

of

southeastern

Wisconsin

will

require

the

capacity

to

represent

a

very

diversegroupofstakeholders. TheTrusthasthreeopportunitiesforindividuals,and

organizationstosupportandparticipateinit:theExecutiveSteeringCouncil,the

variousadvisorycommittees(ScienceCommittee,theLegalandPolicyCommittee,

WatershedActionTeamsandotherspecialcommittees),andthegeneralpublic

membership,comprisedofalltheentitiesthatsignedtheMOUcreatingtheSWWT.

Thoseentitiesincludeindependentunitsofgovernment,specialpurposedistricts,

agencies,nonprofitconservationorganizationsandprivatecompanies.Whilemembers

willbeaskedtocommitinstitutionalresourcestohelpfulfillthemissionadoptedbythe

Trust,theTrust,inturn,needstosupporttheworkofthemembersthroughtheCouncil,

committeesandWATs. Tothatend,theSWWTwillhireafacilitatorandparttimeadministrativestafftosupportit.

A. AdministrativesupportforfacilitationandcoordinationofSWWTAstheTrustmovesfromformationtooperations,thereare,asforanyemerging

organization,criticaltasksandfunctionstoestablishaviableentity.Thefollowingtasks

areintendedtoensurethattheSWWTwillaccomplishitsmission. Itisassumedthat


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22

thesefunctionswillbecarriedoutincarefulcollaborationwithallSWWTpartners. The

dutiesofoveralladministratorfortheSWWTwillbeassumedbytheChairofthe

ExecutiveSteeringCouncil,PatMarchese.

Tasks(Years

13):

OperatetheExecutiveSteeringCouncil,including:o developbusiness,communicationsand membershiprecruitmentand

retentionplans(Year1only)

o plan,organizeandhostAnnualCleanWaterSummito developandmaintainwebsiteo documentorganizationalproceduresandbusiness,andsupportstaff

OperatetheScienceCommittee,including:o conductscientificinvestigationso performdetailedissuespecificanalysiso preparescientificbriefingdocumentso maintaintransparentfunctioning,administrativedocumentationand

staffsupport(appliestoallcommitteesandteams).

OperatetheLegalandPolicyCommittee,including:o providelegalandpolicyanalysiso preparelegalandpolicybriefingdocuments

OperateWatershedActionTeams,including:o recruitandsupportmembershipo managemeetingso prepareprojectbriefings

Milestones:

SWWThasbusiness,communications,andmembershiprecruitmentandretentionplans(year1)

AnannualCleanWaterSummitisheldeachyear(Years13). TheSWWTorganizationanditsCouncilandCommitteesarehighlyfunctioning.

Outcomes:SWWTanditsCouncilandCommitteelaythegroundworkforimproved

waterquality

in

the

southeastern

Wisconsin

watersheds.

B.Fiscalagency

TheRiverRevitalizationFoundationwillactasfiscalagentforadministeringthegrant,

andwillreceive5%ofthetotalgrantamountforprovidingthisservice.


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23

C.SupportingtheSWWTScienceCommittee

AstheworkoftheSWWTgathersmomentumoverthenextseveralyears,significant

scientificissueswillberaisedthatrequirethoughtfulanalysis. InOctober2008SWWTs

ExecutiveSteeringCouncilcreatedaScienceCommittee.TheCommitteeischairedby

theUniversityofWisconsinMilwaukeesDirectoroftheGreatLakesWaterInstitute,

ValKlump.

Dr.

Klumps

time

in

running

the

Science

Committee

is

provided

as

amatch

totheproject.TheCommitteesmembershipiscomprisedofleadingscientistsdrawn

frommajoracademicinstitutions,municipalities,businessandnonprofitconservation

groupsincludingCleanWisconsinandMilwaukeeRiverkeeper.

AstheScienceCommitteesworkunfoldsitwillberequiredtoperformdetailedissue

specificanalysisandprepareandpresentscientificbriefingdocumentsfortheSWWTto

variousgovernmentandnongovernmentinstitutionsandthegeneralpublic.

Tasks(Years13):

Conductscientificinvestigation. AssisttheSWWTindevelopingpositionsonmajorscienceissues. ServeastheprincipalforumforreviewingandrefiningoftheRegionalWater

QualityPlan.

AssistandgivedirectiontotheWATstargetingprioritywatershedissuesandprojects.

Milestones:

ProvidetheCouncilwithtimelyreportsandpositionpapersonmajorscientificissues.

Researchdocumentsandanalysispapers,alongwithagendasandminutes,willformawrittenrecordoftheScienceCommitteeswork.

AssistintherefinementoftheRegionalWaterQualityPlan.Outcomes:Thewatershedrestorationplanningprocessisinformedbysciencebased

informationandanalysis.

D.SupportingtheSWWTLegalandPolicyCommittee

Significantlegalandpolicyissuesthatrequirethoughtfulanalysiswillalsoariseinthe

nextthreeyears. Insomeinstancescurrentpolicieswillneedtobeadjusted,ornew

policiesadopted. ItwillbeincreasinglyimportanttothesuccessofSWWTthata

representativeforum

be

established

to

address

these

policy

matters

and

ensure

that

variouspositionsandperspectivescanbefullyandfairlyvetted.

Inlightofthis,itwillbenecessarytocreateaLegalandPolicyCommitteethatincludes

representativesfrommajoracademicinstitutions,municipalities,businessandnonprofit

conservationgroups. MidwestEnvironmentalAdvocates,SixteenthStreet


24/24

CommunityHealthCenter(SixteenthStreet)andCleanWisconsinwillbemembersof

theCommittee.

SixteenthStreetsvicepresidentPeterMcAvoycurrentlyservesontheSWWTs

ExecutiveSteeringCouncilrepresentingthenonprofitgroupsandadvancingtheir

positionson

avariety

of

issues.

He

will

also

assist

the

Council

in

establishing

and

chairinganewLegalandPolicyCommitteefortheCouncil.(Hewilldevote15%ofhis

timetothesetasksasamatchtotheproject.)

Tasks:

EstablishandconvenetheSWWTLegalandPolicyCommittee. EnsurethatthevariousSWWTpartnersperspectivesarefairlyandadequately

consideredinpolicydeliberations.

AssisttheSWWTCouncilindevelopingappropriatevehiclesforimplementingWatershedRestorationPlans.

DevelopandrecommendvariouspolicypositionsforSWWTandrepresentSWWTindiscussionswithstateandothergovernmentagenciesasneeded.Milestones:

ProvidetheSWWTCouncilwithtimelyreportsandpositionpapersonmajorlegalandpolicyissues.

Documentsandpositionpapers,alongwithagendasandminutes,willformawrittenrecordoftheLegalandPolicyCommitteeswork.

StateandgovernmentagenciesareinformedonSWWTspositions.Outcome: Theimplementationofwatershedrestorationplanswillbebasedonsolid

legalandpolicyanalysis.