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Volume 28, No. 4 Fall 2003

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Remember the hot dry summer of 2003? On those sultry summer days many of usheaded for the beach to cool our heels and wile away the summer hours. Tens ofthousands of us use Wisconsin’s beaches every summer to swim, wade, and soak upthe sun. Most Wisconsinites live within a relatively short drive of a local swimmingspot, and the state’s waters attract millions of visitors each year from around thecountry – and even internationally. Over the past few summers, we have beenhearing more stories of beach closings and contaminated waters. Lake Tidesinvestigates the state of our Badger State beaches.

Life's a BeachThe why and what of

beach health in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Beach Program

In cooperation with local public healthdepartments and State Parks, the WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources (DNR)started a new water quality monitoringprogram at public beaches on LakeMichigan and Lake Superior. The program isbeing implemented under federal law with agrant from the USEnvironmental ProtectionAgency (EPA). Theprogram covers allcoastal public beachesand State Parks, but doesnot include beaches onprivate, Tribal or Federalproperties.

The main purpose of theprogram is to take regularwater samples and testfor the possible presenceof micro-organisms thatcould cause a humanhealth risk. TheWisconsin beach programis designed to help reducehealth risks to beachvisitors by minimizing thepublic’s exposure todisease-causing

microorganisms in recreational coastalwaters. The program also provides trainingand funds to local governments and StateParks to monitor beach water quality to testfor potential hazards to human health andprovides easier access to information aboutthe quality of beach water.

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A Year

Life's a BeachContinued from page 1

Scientists have found it is best to test for abacterium called Escherichia coli. The E.coli being monitored in beach water isdifferent from the strain commonly associatedwith food poisoning, and so is unlikely tocause illness by itself. But if E. coli counts atthe beach are high, that may indicate thepresence of other dangerous pathogens suchas viruses, protozoa, worms, or otherbacteria. When E. coli counts are aboveEPA standards, a warning sign is posted onthe affected beach. If the counts are veryhigh, or if the local authorities have otherreasons for concern, the beach may be closedto swimming.

The BEACH ActThe Wisconsin beach program was startedunder the federal Beaches and EnvironmentalAssessment and Coastal Health (BEACH)Act, passed by Congress in 2000 as anamendment to the Clean Water Act. TheBEACH Act requires all coastal states,including the Great Lakes states, to create abeach monitoring program. The states mustidentify all the coastal public beaches anddevise a plan to test beach water for possiblepathogens that could cause human healthrisks, as well as find ways to get thatinformation to the public in a useful and timelymanner. In 2002, the Wisconsin DNR invited

water experts, local government officials, andstate health and environmental authorities towork together to draw up a plan for thestatewide coastal beach monitoring program.The DNR also conducted a survey of beach-goers to learn more about who uses thebeach, what they do there, and what kinds ofinformation they want about water quality.After discussing the latest science andconsulting on how to coordinate betweenstate authorities and local governments, theplan was presented in public meetings heldaround the state

The BEACH Act also provided funding todesign and implement the new program. In2002, the DNR received a total of $287,000for program development, and in 2003 theDNR received $235,000 to implement theprogram. The DNR distributed the money inthe form of grants to county and municipalgovernments to put the plan into action. TheDNR has jurisdiction only over stateproperties, such as state parks and forests.Otherwise, local governments havejurisdiction over public beaches.

In 2003, the grants covered such costs assupplies to take samples, the hiring of internsto collect them, and laboratory equipment toanalyze the water. The funds were also usedto create a new centralized website anddatabase for the reporting of daily beachconditions to the public and the EPA.

A Model Effort

Wisconsin’s efforts have beenheld up as a model for otherGreat Lakes states to follow interms of ways to organize datacollection and notify the public ofcurrent beach conditions.

There are several ways the publiccan get information about waterquality at their beach. First, signsare posted at public accessbeaches stating the current beachconditions. Second, the publiccan contact the local healthdepartment or the DNR forcurrent conditions. Finally, theBeach Health website lists the

What YOU can do about beach waterquality:· Don’t feed waterfowl· Clean up after pets· Dispose of trash, especially diapers, properly· Don’t litter· Conserve water at home· Limit use of chemical lawn fertilizers and pesticides· Encourage local development to be sensitive to

watershed health

Reduce your risk of exposure topathogens:· Shower after swimming· Don’t swallow water· Wash hands before eating· Change baby diapers before allowing children in water· Don’t go swimming if you are ill

Wisconsin’sefforts havebeen held upas a model forother GreatLakes statesto follow.

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BEFORE

AFTER!

current conditions of all coastal beachesonline. In addition to being a primary sourceof information for the public, the BeachHealth website also serves as the centraldatabase for all the local governments toreport their beach monitoring data. This isimportant for reasons of efficiency becauseat the end of the summer the EPA requires acomprehensive report about the beachseason.

Where is the contamination comingfrom?

Water quality is a hot topic in Wisconsin, andthe beach-going public is well advised to learnmore about the conditions at their beaches.The beach monitoring program is intended tocheck for the presence of possible humanhealth threats and get that information to thepublic –but it is not designed for deeperresearch into the sources of pollution or toclean up the beach water.

The BEACH Act is quite specific about theobjective of the law, and DNR currently haslimited funds to investigate and address thecauses of beach water quality problems.University of Wisconsin researchers, Dr.Gregory Kleinheinz in Oshkosh and Dr.Sandra McLellan in Milwaukee, areconducting research on the causes of beachwater problems and are searching forsolutions.

Some local governments have received stateand federal grants to begin identifyingsources of beach contamination. So far,research suggests that weather events suchas heavy rainfall may increase the likelihoodof finding E. coli at beaches, since therainwater can wash pollution off streets andfields onto the lake shoreline. Otherenvironmental factors that may influencebeach water quality include the presence ofwaterfowl, wild animals and pets, as well aswater temperature, water depth, and coastalwater currents. Research in this area iscertain to continue for many years.

Expanding monitoring to inland lakes

Since 2002, all state properties withrecreational waters, including inland lakes,

have been monitored for E. coli. But there isno statewide program for monitoring waterquality at county and municipal beaches. In arecent survey of Wisconsin coastal beachvisitors, 65% of respondents said they wouldlike to see a similar beach monitoring programestablished for the state’s inland waters suchas lakes and rivers. A number of inlandcounties have expressed interest in startingcomprehensive water testing at recreationalbeaches, but also indicate a need for morefinancial and logistical support from the state.

The BEACH Act currently provides fundingonly for coastal beaches, but the Wisconsinprogram has been designed to be easilyexpanded to include inland waters if politicalsupport emerges to fund a broadened beachprogram.

Sources of more information

Official Wisconsin beach program website:http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/beachhealth/EPA BEACH Act website:www.epa.gov/ost/beachesEarth 911 website:www.earth911.org/WaterQualityWisconsin DNR website:www.dnr.state.wi.us

By Benjamin VailWisconsin BEACH programBureau of Watershed ManagementWisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The appeal of a beach in summer.

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...The Harvest...On the Sokaogon Mole Lake Band of the

Lake Superior Chippewa ReservationI steadied our small canoe, keeping my leftfoot in and my right foot out, as my cousinclimbed aboard. We were on the banks ofthe eastern edge of Rice Lake, within theboundaries of the Sokaogon Chippewa Indianreservation, in northeastern Wisconsin. Mypartner carefully made his way down thecenter of the wobbly canoe. Holding onto thegunwale, he effortlessly reached the oppositeend. He turned facing me and then sat down.

As I stepped into the unstable canoe,performing a balancing act, I remarked,“Looks like it’s gonna be a beautiful day forpicking rice!”

The earlySeptembermorning sky wasa brilliant blue.The sun wasintense and the airwas a comfortableseventy degrees.

I crouched downand grabbed ontoa long and sturdybalsam wood pushpole. Iimmediately easedit out over theright side of thecanoe and into thewater. My ricingpartner attempted to steady the boat a bit, asI promptly stood erect and implanted theskinny pole, with its fork-shape attachment atthe end, into the thick rich mud of the lakebottom.

Eagerly pushing us away from the bank, Iasked, “Are you ready?”

Just then, a startled Blue Heron gave apiercing cry as it flapped its wings andgraciously maneuvered itself out of our way.

“A good sign” I thought, “yes, a good sign fora member of the crane clan.” Like the manyearly September mornings of before, wewere on our way anxious to fill our canoewith the flavorful green seeds, morecommonly known in the Ojibway language as“manomin”, meaning “the food that grows onthe water.”

We moved quietly toward our objective,anticipating our task as we moved deep intothe bounty of the dense growth envelopingthe lake. Within moments we had vanishedinto a tall green curtain of vegetation.

This brief journey and one which ourancestors had done for thousands of yearsfostered credence to our Anishinaabeheritage and culture.

Long before the Europeans had knowledge ofthe existence of this continent and longbefore the French explorer Jean Nicoletlanded on the eastern shores of northernWisconsin in 1634, the Ojibway people of theSokaogon routinely gathered this importantindigenous food which proliferates here. Thewild rice plant is more commonly referred to

We movedquietlytoward ourobjective,anticipatingour task aswe moveddeep into thebounty of thedense growthenvelopingthe lake.

Photo by Ken Wiesner

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by biologists as Zizania Aquatica. It thrivesexclusively in the peculiar stillness of thisapproximately 320 acre mineral-rich lake.This truly is a very special place, hardlyvisible and only a few hundred feet from themain highway. An eye-level view across thislake reveals a sight which looks very similarto a field of wheat and actually looks as if itcould be on the verge of becoming more of awetlands area, even a swamp, but so farMother Nature has not allowed that to occurand probably never will.

What exists here is a perfect setting in whichthe environment offers an orderlycombination of consistent water level andtemperature, supporting the fragileecosystem, allowing for the preciousmanomin to survive the eons of time.Manomin is a sensitive plant and does nottolerate chemical pollutants or drasticchanges in water level during its growthcycle. One can also say that what flourisheshere is the proverbial bread basket for aculture of people. Wild rice has always beenknown to have provided the staple for theChippewa diet and this pre-historic vegetationcould most likely be considered the oldestagricultural crop in the nation. Scientistshave determined that wild rice is the only“naturally occurring” grain in North America.Oats, wheat and barley for example wereimported from Europe.

Equally significant is that this area continuesto be a prime example of one of the lastremaining ancient wild rice beds of northernWisconsin and a very special unvaryingrefuge enabling thousands of various speciesof plants and animals to proliferate.

Working the Rice

With two persons working as ricing partners,one person must constantly push the craftforward as the other gently knocks the seedloose from the top of the plant, taking carethat it falls into the boat. A significant part ofthis process requires the use of a pair ofsmall ricing sticks, both of which are hand-made from lightweight cedar branches.These slender tools resemble a pair of ratherlong drum sticks. With the aide of my pushpole I continue moving slowly ahead. My

partner continues to harvest, gently sweepingthe sticks from left to right and moving thesticks back and forth over the slender riceplant. Using one stick, he gently bends thetop of several plants over the center of theboat. He then gives a gentle tap with theother stick which causes a dozen or two ofthe ripened two-inch-long seeds to fall. Thestaff of the tall plant is then released andallowed to spring back into its originalposition.

As this process proceeds, there is a gentleswishing which gives off a markedly rhythmicsound. This smooth and alternating action isrepeated hundreds and hundreds of times.This soothing repetitive sound mixed with thequiet stillness of the lake can easily calmone’s senses. We become, for a briefmoment in time, totally engaged in absoluteharmony with nature.

Usually within several hours or so, the smallvessel becomes a bit unsteady and greatlyweighted near capacity with the now heavyconcentration of green rice. Over head aflock of determined Canada geese pass byand appear to be saying “Good Bye, until nextyear!”

“Ok, it looks like we’ve got more thanenough!” my partner remarks.

The real trick to returning to shore withoutinadvertently dumping the entire contentsrequires even more patience. Soon we arriveback to the point where we had earlierembarked. I push our unwieldy craft hardagainst the soft mud of the bank. Then Isteady our canoe with my pole as my partnersteps onto land. He then grabs onto the frontand begins to pull as I continue to push. Aportion of the canoe is now on land and hecan now gain a better grasp, allowing me tostep out into a foot or so of surprisingly warmwater.

The Next Phases

The act of gathering the wild rice on thissomewhat humble lake is only the first phaseof the entire process. Before the rice canactually be consumed, a relatively slow andmethodical operation must be completed.

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The harvest is atime for us toremember ourancestors whopassed theirknowledgedown to us.

Once the wild rice has been dried, thenparched over an open fire, then danced upon,the outer hull falls off. A pound or so is thenscooped up into a birch bark basket for thefanning process to begin. The small amountof rice is then tossed like a salad. The airusually catches and removes the remainingbits of dried hull, leaving the final product offinished rice to fall back into the basket.Finally, a thorough cleaning by hand improvesthe purity of the product before it is packagedand brought into the food pantry of localfamilies.

A large portion is set aside to be packagedand purchased by anxious consumers whohave long savored the flavor of our rice as adelicacy on Thanksgiving and who recognizethe benefits of a healthy diet.

What this means is that a wonderful, naturaland chemical free self-sustaining nutritiousfood will be available for the entire winter andbeyond. The particular nourishment of wildrice is a welcome addition to the dinner table,especially on those all too numerous sub-zeroJanuary days. Wild rice is a pleasurablecompliment to a myriad of meals, servedeither by itself as a side dish, in a salad, addedto stuffing, or included in a variety of soups.

Shortly after the wild rice is stored away, thefirst snowfall of early November sends thebrief deer-hunting season into full swing.

Rules about Rice

A network of statutes, administrative rules and tribal agreements has protected wild ricefor decades in Wisconsin. No person may remove or control wild rice without a permitfrom DNR. Administrative rule NR 19.09 states that wild rice may be removed only ifthe wild rice resource will not be harmed from cumulative effects in the lake and theremoval or destruction is necessary to allow reasonable access by the riparian owner.However, before the DNR may issue a permit for the control or destruction of wild riceit must follow the court stipulation of Lac Court Oreilles v. Wisconsin, which mandatesconsultation with the Voigt Task Force to ensure that tribal interests in wild rice areprotected. Even for manual removal of plants, otherwise exempt from a permit, there isno waiver for wild rice and a permit is still required to remove this special plant.

Frank KoshereWater Resources Biologist/Statewide Aquatic Plant Management CoordinatorWisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Before long, there will be taste-temptingvenison with mushroom gravy on the dinnertable along with hearty egg noodles, corn,karo syrup and peanut butter. And last, butnot least, a simmering scoop of freshlyprepared Sokaogon wild rice achieves itsrightful place on the dinner plate.

A Sacred Activity

The annual harvesting of the green wild riceseed is a sacred and vital activity and willensure that our unique culture and heritagewill endure against the influence ofindustrialization. An additional benefit of theharvest is that it helps renew the mind, bodyand the spirit. It is meaningful because it is atime of transition from the old to the new.The harvest is a time for us to remember ourancestors who passed their knowledge downto us. We honor Mother Earth, called “Aki”in the Ojibway language, as well as the water,called “NiBi”, for providing us a place togather the manonmin.

Wild rice will always link the past to thepresent for the Sokaogon Band of Ojibwa. Itis the incessant reminder of why we as theSokaogon Chippewa have chosen to makethis place our home.

Richard D. Ackley, Jr.

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This is the yearfor recreational

use planning!

Many improvements are on the horizon for Wisconsin’s lake database system. Rather thanstoring lake water quality data in multiple places, the Self-Help Lake Monitoring database is beingexpanded to process lake data collected through Self-Help, various DNR monitoring programs,lake grants, satellites and more.

In conjunction with the database, a new form for submitting data is now ready for Self-Helpvolunteers, DNR staff and grant recipients who monitor. Volunteers can now visit http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/lakes/selfhelp/shlmsubm.htm to get set up to use the newform.

The most exciting part of this project will involve individual database-generated web pages onthousands of lakes in Wisconsin (those that are named, and unnamed lakes over 20 acres.) Thepages will draw upon the lakes database to present information on fish, public access and waterquality in a user-friendly way. The lake pages should be accessible around January 1, 2004.

For more information, visit the DNR’s lake website at: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/lakes/ or the Self-Help Monitoring site at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/lakes/selfhelp/index.htm.

Jennifer Filbert, Self-Help Monitoring Program, Wisconsin DNR

Monitoring News!

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! The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership offersa workshop on recreational use

WAL and other partners within the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership and inSoutheastern Wisconsin will sponsor a regional workshop for late Januaryon one of the year’s hottest topics: recreational lake use planning andmanagement.

Topics to be covered include the public trust doctrine, boating ordinancedevelopment and enforcement, fisheries habitat protection, carryingcapacity, conflict resolution and recreational use planning andimplementation. For more information, please see the WAL website(www.wisconsinlakes.org) or call Ezra (608-662-0923 outside Wisconsin;800-542-5253 in Wisconsin). The event will be held at Waukesha CountyTechnical College’s Anderson Education Center in Pewaukee, Wisconsin onJanuary 31, 2004.

Who's Got the Vote in Lake Districts?Did you know that all residents, not only property owners, have the right to vote at all lake districtmeetings? This is a fact that unfortunately escapes many lake districts operating throughout theState of Wisconsin. Like other voting districts, any U.S. citizen age 18 or older who has resided inan election district or ward for at least 10 days before an election where the citizen would like tovote is an eligible elector (see section 6.02 Wis. Stats. and section 33.30 Wis. Stats.). Take noteand vote!

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featuring "Where the Waters Meet"featuring "Where the Waters Meet"featuring "Where the Waters Meet"featuring "Where the Waters Meet"featuring "Where the Waters Meet"2004 Wisconsin Lakes Convention

April 15-17, 2004KI Convention Center/Regency Suites, Green Bay

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Much has happened in the past year. The 2003 Year of Water in Wisconsin continues to unfoldwith celebrations of the state’s water-rich history and discussions of what the future holds interms of water use and policy. Review of the state-wide shoreland management programreaches its final phases, budget cuts test the viability of state-wide programs, and property valuescontinue to sky-rocket with an unrelenting demand for lakefront property. These issues andothers will be some of the topics addressed at the 26th Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Thisconference represents an exceptional opportunity to listen, learn and discuss with others yourexperiences and questions on lake and water resource management, law, fisheries, shorelandrestoration, youth and adult education and other important topics.

If you are new to the lake or a committed supporter, this is a great opportunity for you and yourlake organization to learn and gain significant information in a short period of time. It is a greattime to find answers to your many questions about lake management, meet new friends and catchup with old ones. Look for a detailed agenda in the next edition of Lake Tides, the LakeConnection, and on-line at the UWEX Lakes website. Invite a fellow lake enthusiast that hasnot yet had the opportunity to attend.

The Thursday pre-conference workshop, drawing from the expertise of various state water andconservation groups such as the River Alliance, Wisconsin Groundwater Association andGathering Waters Conservancy, explores the theme of “Tools for Citizen Involvement.”Afternoon sessions will address such issues as citizen monitoring, conservation easements andother tools for natural resource protection, capacity building for citizen groups, sustainable wateruse and more!

Don’t forget about the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Photography contest. We are looking forstriking images of lakes, wetlands and streams as well as of people enjoying Wisconsin’s waters.Additional details can be found at the website listed below.

We work hard to keep the cost of this conference low. Room rates are the same as last year andthe cost of the convention increased by only five dollars.

Join us in April of 2004!

The Nature of WaterThe Nature of WaterThe Nature of WaterThe Nature of WaterThe Nature of Water

www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/conventions

REGISTRATION FORM26th Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention - The Nature of Water

April 15-17, 2004KI Convention Center and Regency Suites, Green Bay

Cost includes major meals, breaks and materials.Regular Early Bird (before March 10)

Thursday, April 15 “Where the Waters Meet” $55 $50Friday, April 16 $70 $60Saturday, April 17 $55 $50Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 15-17 $170 $150

Late Registration Fee (after April 5, 2004) $15

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________Address: _________________________________________________________________________________City: ________________________________ State: _____ Zip Code: ___________Daytime Phone: (_____ )__________________ Email: ____________________________________________Affiliation (Lake Org., etc.): ______________________________________ County: _____________________

See www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/conventions for moredetailed descriptions.Registration for these workshops closes April 5!

Thursday evening, April 15Clean Boats, Clean Waters: Volunteer WatercraftMonitoring (Limit: 25)This workshop will provide the materials and training tohelp volunteers set up a monitoring and watercraftinspection program. $25 (includes complete boat landing toolkit)

Saturday morning, April 17Aquatic Plants at the Root of a Healthy LakeEcosystem (Limit: 25)A hands-on approach to aquatic plant identification.Take this unique opportunity to learn and identifyWisconsin’s common aquatic plants. $30 (includes aquatic plant collection kit and book)

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Lodging information: KI Convention Center/Regency Suites, 333 Main St., Green Bay, WI 54301 (800) 236-3330 or (920) 432-4555.Rates: $91 double occupancy ($20 for each additional person up to a maximum of 6); $101 king double occupancy ($20 for eachadditional person up to a maximum of 6). Price includes full breakfast and 2 hours of complementary beverages in evening. Pleaserefer to the Wisconsin Lakes Convention when reserving your room. Nearby Holiday Inn: (920)437-5900.

Mail this form with your check (payable to UW-Extension Lakes) or credit card information to:UWEX Lakes, UWSP/CNR, 1900 Franklin St., Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-2116 uwexlakes@uwsp.edu

Check forvegetarianmeals C

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Conference Fee: $________Workshop Fees: $________

Total Enclosed: $________

Payment method: Check Credit Card

Check one: Visa MastercardCardholder’s Name____________________Card No. ___________________________Expires ________

You will receive confirmation and additionalinformation upon registering.

No refunds issued after April 10, 2004.

NR115Listening Sessions

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Let's Hear YLet's Hear YLet's Hear YLet's Hear YLet's Hear Your Opinion onour Opinion onour Opinion onour Opinion onour Opinion onShorShorShorShorShoreland Preland Preland Preland Preland Protection!otection!otection!otection!otection!

Wisconsin’s Shoreland Management Program, found in NR 115 of the Wisconsin AdministrativeCode, contains statewide minimum standards for shoreland development that are designed toprotect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and scenic beauty along navigable lakes and rivers.

After a year of work by a dedicated advisory committee of over 25 people, preliminary proposalsto update the more than 30 year old Shoreland Management Program in Wisconsin have beendrafted.

The goal posed to the advisory committee was to protect public rights in navigable waters whileallowing property owners to make reasonable use of their properties. This revision effort hasbeen spurred by a continuing waterfront building boom, new research about how suchdevelopment affects water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, and growing complaints about theexisting standards from property owners and local governments.

As in the past, each county in the state with unincorporated areas will continue to administer andenforce a county shoreland zoning ordinance that meets or exceeds the statewide minimumstandards in Chapter NR 115.

The purpose of the listening sessions is to give the public an opportunity to review and commenton the draft proposals generated by the Advisory Committee and the Department.

For more information on the rule revision process, advisory committee proceedings, listeningsessions and the draft proposal, please go to the website www.dnr.state.wi.us and “Go to sometopics.” Then choose “Shoreland Management.” Alternatively, contact Toni Herkert at DNR at608-266-0161 or Toni.Herkert@dnr.state.wi.us.

NR 115 Listening Sessions at a location near you!NR 115 Listening Sessions at a location near you!NR 115 Listening Sessions at a location near you!NR 115 Listening Sessions at a location near you!NR 115 Listening Sessions at a location near you!

November 11-Spooner Agricultural Research StationNovember 12-Lake Tomahawk - Sloan Community CenterNovember 13-Eau Claire - DNR Regional HeadquartersDecember 1-Onalaska City HallDecember 4-Grand Chute Town HallDecember 5-Crivitz Village HallDecember 9-Madison - DATCP BuildingDecember 11-Waukesha County Courthouse

The goalposed to theadvisorycommittee wasto protectpublic rightsin navigablewaters whileallowingpropertyowners tomakereasonableuse of theirproperties.

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November 4-8, 2003 - National Association of Lake ManagementSymposium. Connecticut. Contact Elizabeth Herron, emh@uri.edu or visit http://www.nalms.org/symposia/.

November 8 - A Legacy of Lakes—Protecting in Partnership - Apresentation at the Ice Age Interpretive Center by Robert Korth, UW ExtensionLakes Specialist.

January 30 & 31, 2004 - 9th Annual Wetlands Science Forum. Wausau, WI.See wiscwetlands.org for info.

January 31, 2004 – Making Fun of Water: Finding Balance when Planningfor Recreational Lake Use - Waukesha County Technical College’s AndersonEducation Center, Pewaukee, WI. See page 7 for info.

February 15, 2004 - Deadline for Wisconsin Lakes PartnershipStewardship Awards - See www.wisconsinlakes.org for award criteria anddirections. Award winners will be named at the 26th Annual Lakes Convention.

April 4, 2004 - Deadline for the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership PhotographyContest - Details on-line at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes. The prints will bedisplayed and judged at the 26th Annual Lakes Convention.

April 15-17, 2004 - Wisconsin Lakes Convention - See pages 8 and 9 fordetails.CA

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ announces the availability of applications forTargeted Runoff Management (TRM) and Urban Nonpoint Source and Storm WaterManagement (UNPS) grants for projects that will begin in January 2005.

Applications will be available at the following DNR Runoff Management Section website onJanuary 15, 2004: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/nps/financial.htm. Applicationsmust be postmarked no later than April 15, 2004 in order to be considered for calendar year 2005funding.

TRM grants are competitive awards to support small-scale, 2-year projects sponsored by localgovernmental units. Projects may be either urban and rural in nature. The maximum grant awardis $150,000. Project selection is based on geographical water quality priorities, local support forthe project, the ability of the project to control nonpoint pollution, and other factors. Municipalitiesrequired to obtain a stormwater permit under ch. NR 216 are not eligible for TRM grants. UNPSgrants are competitive awards to support small-scale, 2-year projects sponsored by localgovernmental units in urban areas. Municipalities needing stormwater permits under ch. NR 216are eligible to apply under this program.

Additional details for both programs may also be found at the web address above. For additionalinformation, or a printed version of the applications, please call Kathleen Thompson at (608) 267-7568.

Grants for RunoffManagement Available

See the websitefor more

information.

IN THIS ISSUE

Lake Tides -- 905032College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin1900 Franklin St.Stevens Point, WI 54481715/346-2116

Volume 28, Issue 4Fall 2003

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Printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

Wisconsin Lakes Partnership

Internet: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/E-mail: uwexlakes@uwsp.eduEditors: Tamara Dudiak, Robert KorthDesign Editor: Mary PardeeContributing Editors: Laura Felda,UWEX; Carroll Schaal, DNRPhotos by: Robert KorthIllustrations by: Carol Watkins, ChrisWhalenThe contents of Lake Tides do not necessar-ily reflect the views and policies of UW-Extension, UWSP-CNR, the WisconsinDNR or the Wisconsin Association ofLakes. Mention of trade names, commercialproducts, private businesses or publiclyfinanced programs does not constituteendorsement. Lake Tides welcomes articles,letters or other news items for publication.Articles in Lake Tides may be reprinted orreproduced for further distribution withacknowledgment to the Wisconsin LakesPartnership. If you need this material in analternative format, please contact our office.No state tax revenue supported the printingof this document.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 19

Stevens Point, WI

Reflections

he more clearly we can focus ourattention on the wonders and realities of theuniverse about us, the less taste we shallhave for destruction.

Life's a Beach.......................1The Harvest............................4Recreational Use Workshop.7Who's Got the Vote?.............7Monitoring News..............72004 Wisconsin LakesConvention..........................8Registration Form.............9NR115 Listening Sessions...10Runoff Management Grants.11CALENDAR......................11

-Rachel Carson (1954)

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