restoring and protecting our great lakes · the great lakes characterize wisconsin. their waters...

WISCONSIN’S GREAT LAKES STRATEGY: Restoring and Protecting Our Great Lakes

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources / Office of the Great Lakes

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The Great Lakes characterize Wisconsin. Their waters

sustain our recreation, our way of life and our

economy. From the majestic shores of Lake Michigan

to the brutal and beautiful waters of Lake Superior,

the Great Lakes are not just part of our heritage, but

part of who we are. They have shaped our history,

our cities, our industry, and our recreation. Just as

they have formed this region, they will continue to

help determine our future and our region’s

economic viability.

The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration developed a

plan for the protection and restoration of these

valuable resources based on the Council of Great

Lakes Governors’ Priorities. I have worked with

resource professionals, local leaders, Great Lakes

stakeholder groups, and concerned citizens to tailor

this plan to Wisconsin’s unique management needs.

The resulting “Wisconsin Great Lakes Protection and

Restoration Strategy” is a road map for addressing

the many issues facing Lake Michigan and Lake

Superior.

We can all use this road map. From legislators

considering new bills to local farmers making land

use decisions, from those involved in shipping to

citizens caring for their homes, lawns and gardens –

we can all help protect Wisconsin’s Great Lakes.

2 WISCONSIN’S GREAT LAKE STRATEGY

Governor Jim DoyleState of Wisconsin

Background photo by Corinne Jones

Restoring and Protecting Our Great Lakes 3

Secretary Matt FrankWisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater of the

Great Lakes watershed are inextricably linked. The

health of the Great Lakes is also directly linked to the

regional economies that depend on them. This vast

Great Lakes watershed is shared by two countries,

eight states, two provinces and thirty nine tribal

governments and inter-tribal organizations. We must

work collaboratively and creatively at all levels across

county, state and national boundaries for the

protection and restoration of our Great Lakes.

Together, we can successfully manage and conserve

water in the Great Lakes Basin, protect the lakes from

aquatic invasive species and restore critical wetland

and tributary habitat. We must work to clean up toxic

sediments and prevent nonpoint source pollution that

causes algal growth, covers spawning sites and fouls

our beaches.

We must prevent the introduction of new persistent

bio-accumulative toxins (PBTs) from home, yard,

health and personal care products. We can improve

our data collection and management in order to

work more efficiently and effectively. Wisconsin’s

Great Lakes Protection and Restoration Strategy

provides a framework for these critical actions and

outlines ways for each of us to be involved in the

protection of these valuable resources.

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This is an exciting and hopefultime for the Great Lakes! Earth’slargest freshwater system hasfinally been identified as anational management priority.

One tenth of the population of theU.S. and nearly one third of thepopulation of Canada call theGreat Lakes watershed home.Covering more than 94,000square miles, the Great Lakeswatershed is also home tothousands of plant and animalspecies, some of which are foundnowhere else on earth. Managingthis vast ecosystem requires anextraordinary effort atinternational, national, regional,

local, community and individualcitizen levels. Representatives ofall these groups have cometogether in an historic effort todevelop a single set of nationalpriorities and strategies to addressthe Great Lakes’ most pressingproblems.

The resulting plan – the “GreatLakes Regional CollaborationStrategy to Protect and Restorethe Great Lakes” – is a call toaction. It challenges us to take thenecessary steps to protect theGreat Lakes and it provides thefoundation for seeking essentiallong-term federal funding.

THE GREAT LAKES: A national treasure

Apostle Islands, Lake Superior

Sunrise over Lake Michigan fromMilwaukee shore


RIGHT: Cana Island, Door County

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Fun on the beach, Sheboygan

“ The Great Lakes are one of the

natural wonders of the world and

it is our responsibility to protect

them. They are a place we call

home and a resource for us to use

and protect – they are the heart

of the ecosystems that we rely on

for life. They are a gift of nature

whose beauty and bounty enrich

our lives and identify our region.”

— G R E A T L A K E S F O R E V E R W E B S I T E

WATER MANAGEMENTEnsure the sustainable use of our water resourceswhile confirming that the States retain authority overwater use and diversions of Great Lakes waters.

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIESStop the introduction and spread of non-nativeaquatic invasive plants and animals.

HABITAT AND SPECIESEnhance fish and wildlife populations by restoringand protecting wetlands, rivers, streams andassociated uplands.

COASTAL HEALTHPromote programs to protect human health againstadverse effects of pollution in the Great Lakesecosystem.

AREAS OF CONCERN/CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTSRestore to environmental health the Areas of Concern(AOCs) identified by the International JointCommission as needing remediation and othercontaminated sediment sites in the Great LakesBasin.

RUNOFF POLLUTIONControl pollution from diffuse sources into water, landand air.

PERSISTENT BIOACCUMULATIVE TOXINS (PBTs)Continue efforts to eliminate the introduction of PBTsinto the Great Lakes ecosystem.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTAdopt sustainable use practices that protectenvironmental resources and enhance therecreational and commercial value of our Great Lakes.

INFORMATION AND INDICATORS (I&I) Standardize and improve the methods by whichinformation is collected, recorded and shared withinthe region.

WISCONSIN’S GREAT LAKE PRIORITIES

The Wisconsin DNR and statecitizens have worked withGovernor Doyle to tailor thisregional action plan forWisconsin. The “Wisconsin GreatLakes Restoration and ProtectionStrategy” is a road map for statelegislators, resource managers,local government officials andWisconsin’s citizens for theprotection of Lake Superior andthe restoration of Lake Michigan.

We can all help protect andrestore our Great Lakes. We knowwhat needs to be done. We knowhow to do it. All that is required isthe will to make it happen.

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The Great Lakes-St. LawrenceRiver Basin Water ResourcesCompact was signed into law onOctober 3, 2008 and becameeffective on December 8, 2008.The Compact is a comprehensivemanagement framework forachieving sustainable water useand resource protection in theeight Great Lakes states and twoCanadian provinces. After fiveyears of negotiations, thesehistoric protections have becomelaw in ten jurisdictions spanningtwo countries.

The Compact acknowledges thecritical connection betweenground and surface waterwithdrawals. It calls for thecollective management of largewater withdrawals in the GreatLakes Basin including withdrawalsfrom groundwater, tributarystreams, inland lakes and theGreat Lakes themselves.Specifically, the Compact prohibitstaking water out of the Basinboundaries with a few carefullyregulated exceptions for near-by“straddling” communities. Topromote sustainable water use,the Compact calls for waterconservation, registration andpermitting of large waterwithdrawals in the basin. It alsorequires water withdrawalmonitoring and reporting.

Wisconsin has lots of water, butnot an infinite supply and notalways where we need it.Demands and stresses on GreatLakes waters continue to increase.About half of the state’s 5.5million people live in thewatersheds that drain into LakeMichigan or Lake Superior. Abouthalf of this population resides inthe southeastern part of the state,an area that has experiencedintense population growth,urbanization and industrialization.A rational water use managementstrategy is critical to ensure thatWisconsin’s Great Lakes are usedsustainably to support currentneeds and those of futuregenerations. Without carefuloversight and management, futureuses of these resources could becompromised.

WATER MANAGEMENT: Conservation and the Great Lakes Compact

10 million people rely on LakeMichigan for their drinking water


“ All the water that will ever be

is right now.”

— N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C ,O C T O B E R 1 9 9 3

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Wisconsin’s Great Lakes BasinWater Management Program,based on the Compact and stateimplementing legislation, calls for:

1) Water conservation through atiered program with practicesincreasing from voluntary tomandatory.

2) Registration and reporting forall water withdrawals in thestate over 100,000 gallonsper day in any 30-day period.

3) Water use permitting for allin-basin water withdrawalsover the 100,000 gallons perday threshold.

4) A statewide requirement forwater supply service areaplanning for all public watersystems serving populationsover 10,000.

5) Publication of a State WaterUse Report every five years.

6) Environmental review of newand increased waterwithdrawals in the Basin overone million gallons per day.

For more information about theGreat Lakes Compact, visit:dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/greatlakes/annex2001/

Sustainable water use supports currentneeds and those of future generations

We all have a responsibility to use our water resourceswisely. Here are some ways we can help conserve water:

• Support water conservation efforts in your local community.

• Water lawns only as needed and before 9 am or after 5 pm.

• Garden with native plants – they’re suited to Wisconsin’sclimate and generally need less watering.

• Fix leaky faucets and don’t leave the water running.

• Use water-saving shower heads and take shorter showers.

• Run only full loads of dishes and laundry.

• Use a broom instead of the garden hose to clean sidewalks anddriveways.

• Use rain barrels to capture water for gardens.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Every Drop Counts

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) extols cityresidents to save money, water and energy and help protect LakeMichigan by making Every Drop Count.

As part of this program, citizens are encouraged to conserve water,especially in times of heavy rain. If each of MMSD’s 1.1 millioncustomers used just 10 gallons less on a day with heavy rain, basementbackups and sewer overflows would be reduced by 11 million gallons.Conserving water also saves energy and money. The EPA estimates thatthree percent of national energy consumption is used for drinkingwater and wastewater.

MMSD’s customers are also asked to take steps to reduce pollutedrunoff, the biggest remaining threat to water quality in the UnitedStates. In urban settings, runoff from rooftops, driveways, sidewalksand yards discharges directly into the sewer system. Rain barrels,typically near downspouts, can be used to collect and store rainwaterthat can later be used to water lawns, trees and flowers. Rain gardenshelp the ground soak up water.

Property owners can also direct downspouts to lawns and gardens tohelp divert runoff from the storm sewer. Redirecting downspout waterto lawns and garden areas can reduce storm water discharge to thesewer system by up to 12 gallons a minute for each disconnecteddownspout. (Check with your municipality to make sure you candisconnect your downspouts legally and that you disconnect properly.)

For more information, visit: v2.mmsd.com/HowToHelp.aspx .

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Harmful plants and animals enterthe Great Lakes in a variety ofways – ship ballast water, canalsand waterways, recreationalboating and fishing, aquaculture,and through the aquarium trade.

More than 180 species of plants,plankton, fish, and pathogensfrom afar have been introducedinto Lake Michigan and LakeSuperior. Sea-going “salties”(ships that travel from the oceaninto the Great Lakes) introduceforeign organisms from as faraway as Europe and Asia eachtime they exchange ballast water.“Lakers” (ships that travel only onthe Great Lakes) can spreadorganisms from lake-to-lake in thesame way. Individuals can furtherspread exotic organisms withinthe Great Lakes and to inlandwaters on boat trailers, bydumping bait fish or water fromboat bilges and live-wells, or byreleasing aquarium pets or plants.

Zebra mussel, quagga mussel,round goby and spiny water fleaare just a few of the invasivespecies that have travelled toWisconsin’s lakes via ship ballastwater. While exotic species areoften harmless or even beneficial“at home,” they can wreak havocon our aquatic ecosystemsbecause they have no natural

predators or competitors. Withoutthese natural checks and balancesnon-native plants and animals cancrowd out native species. Invasivespecies also put a tremendous drainon the economy. Zebra musselsalone cost U.S. taxpayers up to $5billion dollars annually. Sea lampreycontrol costs the U.S. and Canadaover $15 million each year.

Prevention and management ofaquatic invasive species requirescooperation at all levels, frominternational agreements, tonational and state legislation, to theactions of the shipping industry, aswell as individual boaters, anglersand aquarists. We can all helpprotect Wisconsin’s Great lakesfrom aquatic invasive species.

Asian Carp Threaten the Great LakesFour species of Asian carp (silver,big head, grass, and black) are inthe Mississippi drainage and areheaded north. These carp were notbrought here in ship ballast; theyescaped from aquaculture facilitiesor were released in the southernU.S. and are now moving up theMississippi and Illinois Rivers. Thesespecies could reach Lake Michiganthrough the Chicago Sanitary andShip Canal. If any of these speciesreach Lake Michigan, the entire

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES: An environmental and economic threat

Spiny waterflea

Zebra and quagga mussels

Asian carp


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Great Lakes ecosystem and itsfisheries could be seriouslythreatened.

For more information, visit:dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/asian_carp.htm .

Clean Boats, CleanWaters VolunteersWork to ProtectWisconsin’s WaterwaysCitizen volunteers around thestate are providing front-linedefense against the spread ofinvasive species in Wisconsin’swaters. Through the Clean Boats,Clean Waters Program, volunteersare trained to organize andconduct local boater educationprograms. Teams of adult andyouth volunteers perform boatand trailer checks at landings anddistribute educational materials toinform boaters how and whereinvasive species are most likely tohitch a ride. Volunteers also reportany new exotic speciesinfestations.

For more information, visit:uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/cbcw/

Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteerscheck boats and trailers

HOW CAN WE HELP?

KEEP THEM OUT:

• Support consistent laws and requirements to prevent therelease of invasive species through ballast water.

• Promote on-shore ballast water treatment facilities at allWisconsin ports of call, and support funding for test facilities.For more information, visit:dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/success/2008/ballast.htm

• Keep aquarium creatures and plants at home. Never releasethem into lakes or streams.

KEEP THEM FROM SPREADING:

• Clean your boat! Every time you leave a landing inspect yourboat and gear. Remove all plants, animals and mud. If possible,rinse your boat or dry for 5 days before moving betweenwaterbodies.

• Drain all water from your boat and dispose of unwanted livebait in the trash.

• Get the word out! Tell others how they can protect Wisconsin’swaters from invasive species. Support local and statewideeducation efforts.

• Become a Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteer or support localvolunteer efforts.

LIMIT THEIR IMPACT:

• Keep an eye out – if you notice changes at your local beach orfishing spot that you think may be due to invasive species, let anatural resources professional know. Early detection of newinvasions can make management easier.

• Develop and support exotic mussel, lamprey, and othermanagement efforts to limit the negative effects of thesespecies.

• Participate in and support removal efforts where possible.

Educational materials helpboaters prevent spreadingexotic species

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One third of our state drains tothe Great Lakes; one half of ourpopulation lives in this area. Wehave often tried to bend nature tomeet our needs as we continue todevelop our Great Lakeswatershed. We have disruptedcritical habitat and, in the process,lost or endangered many nativeplants and animals.

In urbanized areas we applaudneatness – well mown lawns anddrainage systems that rapidlymove water away from where welive. A healthy, vibrant ecosystem,however, is generally messybusiness. Natural diversity, notvisual tidiness, is the key to good habitat.

Good quality habitat can be foundat scales ranging from a backyardbutterfly garden to a 1000 acrewetland. Both are important. Wemust act at all levels to protecthealthy habitat and restoredamaged habitat so thatWisconsin's native species can survive.

The Great Lakes RegionalCollaboration identified tributariesand wetlands as priority habitatrestoration areas. These are alsothe key areas for Wisconsin.Wisconsin’s interim goal is torestore 200,000 acres ofwetlands. In addition, we willcomplete restoration projects on5-6 streams every 5 years. Bothgoals will require the help ofWisconsin’s property owners.

Wetland target areas include thewest shore of Green Bay, coastalwetlands and other priority sitesthroughout the Lake Superiorbasin, and the southeastern partof the state. Priority Lake Michigantributaries include the Milwaukee,Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Twin,Kewaunee, Peshtigo, Oconto andMenominee Rivers. Lake Superior’spriority rivers include the St. Louis-Red-Pokegama, Nemadji, Iron,Bois, Brule, Flag, Cranberry, Sioux,Raspberry, Bark, Fish andMontreal Rivers.

HABITAT AND SPECIES: Keeping every cog and wheel

Yellow jewelweed

Devil’s River, Manitowoc County


“ To keep every cog and wheel

is the first rule of intelligent

tinkering.”

— A L D O L E O P O L D

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HOW CAN WE HELP?


Bringing Back the Sturgeon

Lake sturgeon can live to be more than a hundredyears old and grow to over 200 pounds. Theseancient giants are native to our waters and used tobe abundant in the Great Lakes and their tributaries.Now they are considered rare in most of the U.S. andare on “watch” status in Wisconsin.

Once considered nuisance fish because of their abilityto damage commercial fishing nets, sturgeon werecaught, stacked like cordwood on shore, and burned.They later became valuable for oil, caviar and airbladders which were used to make isinglass – agelatinous material used to clarify jams, jellies andglue and for making isinglass windows for carriages.It wasn’t long before overfishing dramaticallyreduced the sturgeon population. In 1885,Wisconsin’s annual commercial sturgeon catch wasover 200,000 pounds. By 1910, it had decreased toabout 2,000 pounds annually.

The long-term survival of lake sturgeon is in doubt forseveral reasons. First, they are slow to reproduce.Females reach maturity at 24-26 years; males matureat 15 years. While females can produce 50,000 to700,000 eggs in a season, they only do so every 4-6years. Their fatty tissue readily accumulates toxinsfrom the environment. But the biggest threat to thisgreat fish is habitat loss. Dams block access tospawning grounds. Changes in temperature, oxygenand stream flow reduce food supplies and interferewith egg hatching.

Wisconsin has small, but self-sustaining populationsof lake sturgeon in Green Bay tributaries. Spawningpopulations also exist on the Menominee, Peshtigo,Fox and Oconto Rivers. Improvements in waterquality and habitat are important on all of these rivers.

The DNR has identified Lake Michigan tributaries asLake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Waters. Thanks to theremoval of dams, habitat restoration, and captiverearing and release, the lake sturgeon has returnedto the Milwaukee and Manitowoc Rivers. This is agreat success, but even more must be done to insurethe survival ofthis magnificentcreature.

Volunteers release captive-raisedsturgeon

Wild rice on the St. Croix River

• Plant native trees, shrubs, grassesand flowers.

• Protect stream banks from erosion– leave them undisturbed or plantwith native plants.

• Build a rain garden or backyardpond.

• Help prevent or eradicate invasivespecies.

• Support wetland restorationefforts in your area.

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We tend to think of toxic pollutionas something that happenssomewhere else, but five high-priority sites or “Areas ofConcern” (AOCs) and a number of other toxic sites have beenidentified right here in Wisconsin’sGreat Lakes Basin. These areasface serious problems that limittheir use for fishing, swimming orfor drinking water. Problemsinclude contaminated sediment,habitat loss or destruction,polluted runoff and beachcontamination.

While these sites have a myriad ofproblems, the Wisconsin Strategyfocuses on contaminatedsediment because this problem iscommon to all sites and because itis usually the most complex andexpensive to fix. At each site theextent of contamination must bedetermined and a clean up plan

must be developed. Adequatefunding and expertise is critical tosuccess.

Contaminated sediment must becleaned up – and cleaned upcarefully – because it can pose aserious threat to environmentaland human health. Toxins canhave acute effects or mayaccumulate over time and throughthe food chain, resulting in long-term effects on fish, birds, humansand other organisms.

We must commit the necessaryresources to restore these high-priority sites to fishable,swimmable and drinkable waters.We know how to remove toxicsediments. We have hadsuccesses. All that is required isthe will and funding to make ithappen at all of Wisconsin’s toxicsediment sites.

RESTORING TOXIC SITES: Creating a healthier future

Removing toxic sediment

Testing shoreline stability


RIGHT: Great blue heron in the Kinnickinic River

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The Kinnickinic River, often called the KK River – or“Milwaukee’s forgotten river” – recently received$14.3 million in federal Great Lakes Legacy Funds for clean up. The State of Wisconsin will contribute $7.7 million to the restoration effort.

Smallest of the three primary rivers that empty intothe Milwaukee River, the KK is also the mosturbanized and densely populated. It is part of theMilwaukee River Estuary Area of Concern. Once aplace where children could wade and fish, the KK isnow often perceived as a network of municipalsewage canals due to its degraded condition.

In spring 2009, the removal of 170,000 cubic yardsof sediment contaminated with PCBs(polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (polyaromatichydrocarbons) will begin. After toxic sediments areremoved habitat restoration work will begin. TheDNR, with the help of EPA and the efforts ofconcerned citizens, will work to restore the KK to afishable, swimmable river, ultimately returning thisvaluable resource to Milwaukee’s citizens.

For more information, visit:dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/sms/kkriver/

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Kinnickinic River Receives Legacy Funding

• Adequate resources are critical. Encourage funding of toxic siteremediation.

• Support monitoring activities. Monitoring is important fordetermining when a site is adequately restored.

• Be involved in creative visioning for future uses of toxic sites.

• Participate in shoreland habitat restoration activities.

Clean up of the Kinnickinic River began in spring 2009

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Chemical production dates backmore than 5,000 years, but large-scale chemical production didn’toccur until the 19th century.During the 19th and 20thcenturies technological advancesgreatly increased the types andamounts of chemicals produced.During this time, pesticides andfertilizers, pharmaceuticals,synthetic dyes and fibers, soapand beauty products, syntheticsweeteners, plastics, filmchemicals and celluloid, andartificial rubber became commonlyused. Chemicals have improvedour quality of life in many ways.Used judiciously, and recycled orproperly disposed, chemicals canhave great value to our society.But when these products get intoour waterways they can quicklybecome a hazard toenvironmental and human health.

Chemicals in our lakes, rivers andgroundwater come from manysources including industries,businesses, our homes and the air.Many chemicals pass through ourtreatment plants and into ourwaterways and groundwater.Others are distributed through theair by coal fired power plants,

vehicle exhaust, smoke stacks andother emissions. Some of thesechemicals last a long time in theenvironment and can cause awide range of health effects infish, wildlife, and people whenthey accumulate in our bodies.Such chemicals are known asPersistent Bio-accumulative Toxinsor PBTs.

PBTs are the reason thatWisconsin and other states advisepeople to limit the number ofmeals they eat of some fishspecies. These contaminants enterthe lake and are absorbed byplankton and insects, and in turnby the fish, wildlife and humansthat eat them. Mercury and PCBs(polychlorinated biphenyls) are thecontaminants of greatest concernin Wisconsin’s fish. Currently,there are fish advisories formercury and PCBs for LakeMichigan and Lake Superior andtheir tributaries.

For more information, visit theDNR Fish Consumption Advisory:dnr.wi.gov/fish/consumption/

PERSISTENT BIO-ACCUMULATIVE TOXINS: Keeping chemicals out of our waters

Air emissions contribute to waterpollution


“ If the Bill of Rights contains no

guarantee that a citizen shall be

secure against lethal poisons

distributed either by private

individuals or by public officials,

it is surely only because our

forefathers, despite their

considerable wisdom and

foresight, could conceive of

no such problem.”

— R A C H E L C A R S O N , S I L E N T S P R I N G

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More and more chemicals areshowing up in our rivers, lakesand even our drinking water.Scientists are looking at potentialeffects of some of these chemicalsincluding flame retardants,pharmaceuticals, and personalcare compounds (like anti-bacterial soaps and beautyproducts) that pass through ourwastewater treatment systems.Until we understand the potentialeffects of these chemicals, weshould make every effort to keepthem out of our water.

Lake Superior ZeroDischarge ProgramThe Binational Program to Restoreand Protect the Lake SuperiorBasin includes a “zero discharge”demonstration program for ninepollutants. These pollutants wereidentified because they are verytoxic, accumulate through thefood chain, and persist in theenvironment.

Government agencies, organiza -tions and concerned citizens areworking together to keep thesechemicals out of Lake Superior.

For more information about thisimportant effort, visit:dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/greatlakes/lsprogram.html

PBTs can end up in our drinking water

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We can all do our part to keep our water supply clean andsafe for humans and wildlife. Remember to:

• Use up personal care products when possible.

• Dispose of leftover pharmaceuticals and personal care productsproperly. Do not flush them or pour them down the drain. Visit www4.uwm.edu/shwec/ for a MedDrop collectionschedule.

• Dispose of chemicals, paints, herbicides, pesticides and othertoxins at local Clean Sweep collection sites. For more information, visit: datcp.state.wi.us/arm/agriculture/pest-fert/pesticides/clean-sweep/index.jsp

• Avoid products that contain mercury. If you must use theseproducts, recycle or dispose of them properly. To learn about products that may contain mercury, visit:epa.gov/mercury/consumerinfo.htm

• Limit the use of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides and othertoxins. Consider “green” alternatives. See Rethinking Yard Carefact sheet link at: clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/home.htm

• Do not use burn barrels. Burning garbage releases dioxins andother toxins into the air.

• Reduce gasoline consumption. Exhaust fumes are a majorsource of dioxins (and greenhouse gasses). For more information, visit:dnr.state.wi.us/environmentprotect/pbt/some.htm

Trout and other fish accumulate PBTs in their tissues

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Nonpoint source pollution, oftencalled “runoff,” occurs whenrainwater or melting snow picksup pollutants in the soil or fromthe pavement and carries themacross land to lakes, rivers or evengroundwater. Runoff pollutionfrom farms, urban areas, andconstruction sites collectivelyrepresents the leading cause ofwater quality problems inWisconsin.

In the Lake Superior Basin the problems are changes inhydrology leading to changes inchannel morphology, stream bankerosion, and loss of criticalhabitat. In the Lake MichiganBasin, soil and nutrients like

phosphorus and nitrogen washinto the streams and eventuallyinto the lake. Excess nutrients cancause algal blooms in bothstreams and lakes. Decaying algalmats can deplete streams andbays of needed oxygen and resultin fish kills. Urban areas producetheir own polluted runoff that caninclude sediment, nutrients,bacteria and other chemicals suchas oil and grease.

Limiting the use of lawn fertilizersas well as yard and householdchemicals, conserving water, andslowing the flow of water off theland are actions we can all take toprevent nonpoint source pollution.

POLLUTED RUNOFF: Curbing the problem

Erosion of stream bank in theLake Superior watershed

Storm drain stencil, Menasha


RIGHT: Runoff from construction sitescan end up in streams and lakes

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HOW CAN WE HELP?

LAKE MICHIGAN

• Install stream buffers and grassed water ways to filter agriculturalrunoff before it gets into streams.

• Support efforts to increase cost share funds for farmers to installbuffers.

LAKE SUPERIOR

• Support stream restoration efforts to correct stream bank erosion.

• Keep stream side buffers intact during logging.

• Support wise land use planning.

URBAN AREAS

• Direct downspouts toward lawns and gardens.For more information, see “Every Drop Counts” atv2.mmsd.com/HowToHelp.aspx

• Install rain gardens on residential, commercial, and publicproperties.

• Use pervious pavers for sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots toallow water to infiltrate.

• Include “green” roofs in building designs. Visit greenroofs.org

• Minimize the use of fertilizers and other yard care chemicals.

• Conserve water in your home and in your lawn and garden care.

• Mark storm drains with “Drains to Lake” stencils and keep oil andother chemicals out of drains. For more information, visit:watermonitoring.uwex.edu/wav/stenciling/index.html

Building Buffers – The ConservationReserve EnhancementProgram (CREP)

Since 2001, more than 1,600acres of land in Wisconsin’s GreatLakes Basin counties have beenenrolled in the ConservationReserve Enhancement Program.Through this program farmers arepaid to put aside land that isadjacent to rivers and streams.These “buffers” are planted withthick native vegetation to filterrunoff from agricultural fields.Usually the land used for buffersis marginal agricultural land tobegin with and farmers receive afinancial incentive for enrolling.

The benefits from the program aremany. The program is estimatedto reduce annual phosphorus andnitrogen loading by 600,000 and300,000 pounds a year,respectively, and reduce sedimentloading to streams by over330,000 tons a year. Criticalnorthern pike spawning habitatbenefits from lower sedimentloads to riparian wetlands. Thebuffers also provide cover forbirds and animals.

Directing storm water to lawns and gardens reduces runoff

Do you know of stream banksthat could benefit from buffers?CREP may be able to help.

For more information, visit:datcp.state.wi.us/arm/agriculture/land-water/conservation/crep/

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Miles of beautiful Great Lakesbeaches are a tremendousrecreational asset we can allenjoy. Providing naturalswimming opportunities topopulous Milwaukee or solitarybeach walking opportunities atWisconsin Point in Superior arejust two experiences beaches addto Wisconsin’s quality of life.When our beaches are closed dueto high bacteria counts oraccumulation of algae, we loseaccess to Lake Michigan and LakeSuperior, we lose tourism dollars,and we lose our connection tothese inland seas.

What causes our beaches to beclosed? Pollutants from cities,farms, construction sites, and evennearby parking lots are carried byrain and melting snow into LakeMichigan and Lake Superiortributaries and eventually reachthe lakes or even dischargedirectly into the waters adjacentto beaches. Nutrients that washoff the land can lead to the bloomand eventual die-off and decay ofalgae which can promote bacterialgrowth. Bacterial contaminationcan also come more directly fromsources of fecal material including

dog waste, goose and seagulldroppings and human sewage.Beach closures are often – but notalways – connected to large rainfallevents and each beach has its ownset of issues that create pollution.Beach advisories and closures aswell as monitoring data arereported to the public through theBeach Health Website:wibeaches.us.

Where do algal blooms come from?Abundant growth of algae in thenearshore area from improvedwater clarity (due to water filteringby invasive zebra and quaggamussels) and excessive phosphorusin runoff are key parts of the storythat result in stinking, decayingalgal mats washing up on manyLake Michigan beaches. Toconfound the problem, musselspresent in these algal mats attractwaterfowl such as geese andseagulls whose droppings bring anadditional source of bacteria tobathing beaches.

Preventing polluted runoff andimproving beach management arethe keys to bringing backWisconsin’s beaches.

COASTAL HEALTH: Bringing back the beaches

The endangered piping plover dependson healthy beach habitat

Rotting algal mats and bird droppingscontribute to bacterial contamination


“ You can tell all you need to about a society from how it treats animals and beaches.”— F R A N K D E F O R D , S P O R T S W R I T E R , A U T H O R A N D C O M M E N T A T O R

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HOW CAN WE HELP?

• Conduct or encourage beach sanitary surveys to identify andeliminate sources of bacterial pollution. Common remedialactivities can be as simple as redirecting parking lot runoff orcleaning up after pets.

• Support public education to improve sanitation at beaches.

• Support the development of rapid response methods formonitoring beaches to get more timely results on bacteria levels.

• Reduce phosphorus loads to Wisconsin’s waterways. (See the Polluted Runoff section for more information.)

• Enlist volunteers for manual removal of algae and garbage orfor mechanical methods with appropriate permits.

• Reduce fertilizer use.

• Improve storm water infiltration with rain gardens and pervious pavers.

City of Racine BeachGrooming: Keepingour Beaches Clean

The City of Racine is getting tothe bottom of high bacteria levelsat its two public beaches. Racine’sefforts are paying off withnational recognition and moredays at the beach for swimmers.Health Department officials withthe City of Racine, funded in partby the DNR Office of the GreatLakes, embarked on a 5-yearresearch initiative to identify thepossible sources of elevated E-colilevels and determine the rolesand plays in harboring thisindicator bacteria.

Their research demonstrated thatpast beach grooming methodsacted to increase bacterialpresence in wet beach sands.Adjustments to their groomingpractices, supplementary drainageand infiltration measures,improved storm watermanagement, and better publiceducation have resulted in areduced number of beachclosings. In 2004, North Beachwas named one of only two GreatLakes Blue Wave Certified CleanBeaches designated by the CleanBeaches Council of WashingtonD.C. and has retained that statusevery year since. In 2007, NorthBeach along with Sister BayBeach was voted one of 13national “Beach Buddies” by theNational Resource DefenseCouncil. The City of Racine alsoreceived a Governor’s Award forExcellence in EnvironmentalPerformance in 2008.

Similar efforts are underway atother Lake Michigan and LakeSuperior beaches. Do you knowwhat is being done to reduceclosures at your beach?

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The five Great Lakes and the St.Lawrence Seaway function as onehuge ecosystem. Their waters,watersheds, estuaries, tributaries,wetlands and groundwater areinextricably connected. To beeffectively managed, these vastresources must be treated as oneecosystem. Add to this the factthat management of the GreatLakes is shared between eightstates, two Canadian provinces,two federal governments, thirty-nine tribal governments andintertribal organizations, and amultitude of local municipalitiesand organizations, and you canimagine how critical – and howdifficult – data collection andmanagement can be.

We must carefully monitor LakeMichigan and Lake Superior todetermine management needsand evaluate current managementpractices. It is also critical toanticipate and monitor the effectsof climate change and otheremerging issues that threaten theGreat Lakes ecosystem in order toplan for future management.

The Great Lakes ecosystem is fartoo complex to monitor all itsparts. State and federalgovernments must work togetherto develop plans for trackingindicators – observableparameters that measure changeand may give early warning ofecosystem degradation orimprovement. They must also trackwho is collecting data, how, whenand where the data is collected,and how it is analyzed, stored andshared.

When it comes to data collectionand management, the “left handmust know what the right hand isdoing.” The concept may besimple, but the Great Lakesecosystem is vast and diverse andthe management is complicated.Significant funding andcooperative effort are needed tomonitor our unique and valuableGreat Lakes ecosystem.

INFORMATION AND INDICATORS: Tracking Great Lakes changes

Collecting physical data onLake Michigan

Analyzing water samples fromLake Michigan


“ Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” — A L B E R T E I N S T E I N

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MONITORING LAKE INPUT SOURCES:

Rivers: Great Lakes States collect water quality data ontributaries for nutrients and toxics. The U.S. GeologicalSurvey (USGS) also collects water quality data andworks in cooperation with the Milwaukee MetropolitanSewerage District (MMSD), Fox-Wolf WatershedAlliance, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District,universities, and the Oneida tribe in the watershedsdraining into Green Bay.

Atmospheric Deposition: Precipitation samples arecollected and analyzed for total and methyl mercury.Sampling is done mainly by state agencies, but federalagencies and universities also participate. One stationon the shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and oneat the mouth of the Brule River on the shore of LakeSuperior are part of the Mercury Deposition Network(MDN) where long term mercury deposition data iscollected. Inland locations are also monitored. For more information, visit: nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/sites/sitemap.asp?net=mdn&state=wi

Groundwater discharge: A groundwater flow modelfor southeastern Wisconsin provides information on therelationship between groundwater and the Great Lakes.The model was developed under the guidance of theSoutheast Regional Planning Commission, the USGSand the Wisconsin Geological and Natural HistorySurvey. Many municipalities were also involved. TheUSGS Great Lakes Water Availability and Use PilotStudy continues to develop the groundwater flowmodel for Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes.The goal of this study is to improve the ability toforecast water availability for future economic andenvironmental needs.

MONITORING RECEIVING WATERS:

Wetlands: The Great Lakes Consortium is developing aset of indicators and metrics to assess the overall statusand trends of Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Aninventory and classification system was developed in2004. Together, these will form the basis of a long-termmonitoring plan.

Beaches: The DNR provides grants to coastal countiesto monitor bacteria on Lake Michigan and LakeSuperior beaches. The Great Lakes Beach Associationhelps to coordinate monitoring and research effortsconducted at hundreds of locations throughout LakeMichigan.

Nearshore waters: The DNR, in conjunction with theUW-Milwaukee Water Institute, has monitored algaeand nutrients in water within one mile of the shorewhere nuisance algal mats have degraded beaches.

Offshore lake waters: The USGS, EPA, NOAA, anduniversities conduct monitoring and research in theopen waters of the Great Lakes. Under the EPA-GreatLakes National Program Office’s offshore water qualitysurveys, samples are collected from multiple sites in theLake Michigan basin to ensure that sampling activitiesare representative of lake conditions. In addition, theGreat Lakes Observing System provides widecommunity access to real-time and historic data on thehydrology, biology, chemistry, geology and culturalresources of the Great Lakes.

Bays and Areas of Concern (AOCs): The DNR andEPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO)monitor Great Lakes Areas of Concern to assess theeffectiveness of remediation activities.

Wisconsin and the National Monitoring Network

HOW CAN WE HELP?

• Support funding for Great Lakes monitoring efforts.

• Support local monitoring of Great Lakes streams and wetlands.

• Become a citizen water monitoring volunteer. For moreinformation, visit: http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/

• Watch for and report changes in the Great Lakes ecosystem in your area.

Many federal, state, and local agencies are involved in Great Lakes monitoring. Following is anoverview of some of these monitoring efforts and the groups involved.

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People love to be on or near thewater. This love translates intorapidly escalating land values forwaterfront property for both newdevelopment and redevelopmentprojects, plus conflicting land usepressures for the available land.Given this trend, how do weincorporate the concept ofsustainable development practicesinto current activities?

Sustainability can be defined asdevelopment that meets the needsof the present withoutcompromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their needs.Sustainable development cutsacross many areas in our lives.How we use and develop land,our agriculture and forestrypractices, our transportationmechanisms, how our industriesmake products, how we use water,and the ways we enjoy our naturalresources must be considered.

With an increasing population, wesimply cannot continue ourcurrent land use trends. We mustchange our habits. With this inmind, Wisconsin’s Smart Growth

Initiative was enacted. As theState’s first attempt to curb urbansprawl and promote better landuse, Smart Growth offers financialincentives to municipalities andcounties to develop sustainableland use plans. Since it wasenacted in 1998 a number ofWisconsin communities havetaken the Initiative to a higherlevel to become “eco-municipalities.” Five of the eleveneco-municipalities – the cities ofWashburn, Ashland and Bayfield,the town of Bayfield, and DouglasCounty – are in the Great LakesBasin.

Efforts are also underway at thelocal level to redevelop many LakeMichigan and Lake Superiorwaterfronts. Such sustainabledevelopment has broughteconomic value to many areas byproviding outdoor recreationalopportunities such as boating,hiking, biking and wildlife viewingopportunities, as well asdecreased nonpoint source runoffwhich improves water quality.

SUSTAINABILITY: Living in harmony with nature

Enjoying a Lake Superior sunset

Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee


“ When my parents were growing up the world’s population was under three billion. During my children’s

lifetime, it is likely to exceed nine billion. You don’t need to be an expert to realize that sustainable

development is going to become the greatest challenge we face this century.” — T O N Y B L A I R , M A R C H 2 0 0 1

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City of Ashland’s Waterfront Redevelopment

Closed since 1965, the historic Soo Line Ore Dock is amonolithic concrete and steel structure over 80 feethigh and extending 1800 feet into the lake. Once arail-to-ship transfer station for iron ore, this structure ispart of Ashland’s rich past and is eligible for listing onthe National Register of Historic Places. Working withCanadian National (the property owner who is movingtoward demolition of the structure), the City has beenengaged in efforts to acquire the dock and utilizeadaptive re-use strategies to transform the industrialstructure into the Soo Line Ore Dock Public HeritagePark. The park would become a tourist destinationcelebrating Ashland’s industrial past and Lake

Superior’sinternational role.The massive base ofthe dock wouldallow for a visualinterpretive centerof the shipping andmining industries

and would be surrounded by a city park/fishing pier.The dock would also provide protected dockage forlocal, transient and tourism vessels, which wouldincrease the park's use and further the region'sheritage tourism goals.

Tying into Ashland’s Historic Downtown District, apublic plaza is scheduled for construction in 2009,which, adjacent to U.S. Highway 2, will provideconnectivity to the historic downtown district and thewaterfront through a pedestrian underpass. This publicspace and a network of trails will provide linkagesbetween Ashland’s built environment, and the naturalshoreline of Lake Superior.

Ashland’s thoughtful redevelopment plan will transformthis valuable area into a vibrant, sustainable waterfront.

A waterfront redevelopment project is breathing newlife into the remnants of Ashland’s grand mining andshipping past. Ashland became a boomtown in the1890’s as it developed into a major shipping portand railway center. Ships and railroads transportedwood from the area’s sawmills and planemills, ironore, rock from quarries, brick from the brickyards andgoods made in a variety of factories.

As industry declined, the once busy waterfront fellinto quiet disrepair. In 1992, the area’s wastewatertreatment plant joined the waterfront’s abandonedbuildings. With an emphasis on sustainability, thiswaterfront area will be transformed into a vibrantlakeshore amenity.

Extending 1200 feetinto Lake Superior,the Reiss Coal Dockarea is planned tobe converted intofestival grounds anda perimeter bay-walk. Its deep water port will beupgraded for cruise ships. On the east side of thecity’s shoreline, the community is engaged in aredevelopment process for the Clarkson Dock area,which has been vacant for 30 years. Clarkson Dockwill become a recreational area which will include anRV park and a link to the Bay City Creek EstuaryPreserve.

At the heart of Ashland’s waterfront, a cooperativeeffort is underway to clean-up the Ashland NorthernStates Power Lakefront Superfund Site, restore thenatural environment, and redevelop the area into anextended marina including two sailing beaches withsupporting facilities for community and educationactivities.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

• Support sustainable land use.

• Buy locally-grown food or grow your own produce.

• Save energy and water at home, work and school and when travelling.

• Practice "green" lawn and garden care.

For more information, visit: dnr.wi.gov/air/pubinfo/educ/Italladdsup.htm

Courtesy of the Ashland Historical Museum

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Like all parts of the Great Lakesecosystem, we are linked to thisgreat resource. The Great Lakessustain our region. They influenceour quality of life, our health andour economy. In turn, ouractivities greatly influence thehealth of Wisconsin’s Great Lakesand of the entire Great Lakesecosystem – for better or worse.By taking coordinated actionsnow, we can reverse or arrestnegative impacts and ensure thatour children’s children will be ableto enjoy this national treasure.

The Wisconsin Great LakesStrategy is our road map toprotecting Lake Superior andrestoring Lake Michigan. From thesimplest home and yard carepractices, to the most complicatedand far-reaching legislation, wecan all make a difference for ourGreat Lakes.

To find out more about the Wisconsin Great Lakes Strategy and how you can be involved, please visit:

WI Great Lakes Strategy: dnr.wi.gov/org/water/greatlakes/wistrategy/

WI DNR Office of the Great Lakes: dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/greatlakes/

A publication of the Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesThis publication is available from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Office of the GreatLakes, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunities in its employment,programs, services, and function under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, pleasewrite to Equal Employment Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C., 20240

This publication is available in alternative format upon request. For additional information, call (608) 267-7494.

PUB-WT-907-2009 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

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