December 30 – Deadline for 2nd Round of Proposals for Sweet Water's Mini-Grants

Sweet Water is offering a 2nd round for proposals for its Mini-Grant Program. Proposal submissions are due December 30, 2011 with review in January and announcement of the 2nd round of awards at the Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference April 30th.

For more information, click here.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Accepting Proposals for 2012 Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting proposals for projects that protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the Great Lakes Basin. Projects are funded through the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA). GLFWRA is partially supported by President Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Deadline for proposal submissions is Monday, December 12, 2011.

For more information, contact:

Rick Westerhof, 231-584-3553

Rick_Westerhof@fws.gov

Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Species and Pollution: Why the Clean Water Act Matters

Join us for a lunchtime webinar on Thurs., Dec. 8 at noon Central Time.

Clean water expert Todd Ambs, president of River Network and former water administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will join Alliance for the Great Lakes president Joel Brammeier and water quality program manager Lyman Welch to discuss how the Clean Water Act makes Great Lakes protection a reality.

(read full article)

Talking Water Quality Improvements

Friday, December 2nd, "The Evening Rush" hosted by Earl Ingram on WMCS (1290 AM) will dedicate the 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. time slot to discuss past, present, and future water quality improvement projects in the Milwaukee Estuary.

Representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, UW-Extension, Milwaukee Community Service Corps, and other community-based organizations will address quality-of-life improvements achieved thus far, participation in the planning process, and opportunities to gain skills and knowledge to be prepared for emerging technical employment positions in the water sector. 

Summer RiversReport Now On-Line

Find it here. 

In this issue:

    Menomonee River Update

    Sweet Water Mini-Grant Program

    What Happened to GLRI?

    Water Savings Calculator

    State Budget Policy Changes

    WI Clean Marina

    Learning from the River: Watershed Wisdom

    WATER Concert – Present Music

    Urban Agriculture

    Volunteer Spotlight

    Get the Meds Out Campaign

    Upcoming Events

Fund for Lake Michigan Fall 2011 Grant Calendar Set

2011 Fall Cycle:

• Letters of inquiry were due August 26

• Full proposals will be requested from selected applicants in early October

• Final grant decisions will be made at the end of November

For grant application questions please email

ryan@arabellaadvisors.com

The Fund seeks projects that focus on habitat preservation and restoration and reducing pollutants in the watersheds of Southeastern Wisconsin. 

Fund overview

2011 letters of inquiry guidelines

Related: Find information on first cycle grants to Sweet Water, our partners, and friends here.

Watershed Action Team Meetings

Our regularly-scheduled Watershed Action Team (WAT) meetings will be held next week.

The Menomonee River WAT meeting is being held

     Tuesday, November 15

     4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

     Cafeteria
     Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension, 
          Building A
     9501 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa

          (map) (agenda)

The Kinnickinnic River WAT meeting is being held

     Wednesday, November 16

     4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

     Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
     Parkway Health Center

     2906 S 20th St, Milwaukee (map) (agenda)

All are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Root River Watershed Restoration Planning Group to Meet November 16

The next meeting of the Root River Watershed Restoration Planning Group is scheduled

Date: Wednesday, November 16

Time: 10:00 a.m.-Noon

Location:

Boerner Botanical Gardens
5879 S 92nd St, Hales Corners

(map) (directions)

(agenda)

TMDL Stakeholder Kickoff Meeting Today

You are invited to participate in the process for preparing four regional TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) studies. With grant support provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), TMDLs are being prepared for the Kinnickinnic, Menomonee, and Milwaukee River watersheds, and the Milwaukee Estuary.

Please join us for a kickoff stakeholder meeting

November 14

9:30am to noon

Firefly Room

Wauwatosa Public Library

7635 W North Ave, Wauwatosa (map)

(read full article)

Water Quality Policy Forum

Sweet Water

Date: November 14, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Great Lakes Water Institute
600 E.Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee (map)

(read full article)

Employment Opportunity

Administrative Assistant

Sweet Water – the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc.

Applications will be accepted through

November 11.

Poition description and application requirements

Implementing Wisconsin's Phosphorus Rule and Phosphorus TMDLs

Wisconsin Section – Central States Water Environment Association

Representatives from USEPA, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) will provide an update on phosphorus rule (NR 217) implementation guidance and Wisconsin phosphorus TMDL (Total Maximun Daily Load) development. National experts will describe the development of various phosphorus TMDL implementation approaches that have reduced compliance costs while meeting watershed water quality standards.

Date: Thursday November 10

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:45pm

(read full article)

Coastal Management Grant Program

Deadline: November 4, 2011

Approximately $1,300,000 is available through the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) to enhance and restore coastal resources within the state's coastal zone – all counties adjacent to Lakes Superior and Michigan, with their 820 miles of shoreline.

New Applicant Information

WCMP Grants are available for coastal wetland protection and habitat restoration, nonpoint source pollution control, coastal resource and community planning, Great Lakes education, public access and historic preservation. Applications are due Friday, November 4, 2011.

(read full article)

Student design presentations: UWM Inner Harbor Project

Design work for UWM Inner Harbor Project

Photos courtesy UWM

UWM Innovative Cities Lectures

Waterfront Redevelopment: Creating Place at the Water's Edge

The lecture will be presented by Brian Peterson, Senior Urban Designer for JJR in Madison.

The lecture will review trends in waterfront redevelopment, examine the establishment of the role of placemaking in successful waterfront projects, and explore how waterfront redevelopment can act as a catalyst for urban regeneration.

The lecture will be presented

October 27

12:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.

Architecture and Urban Planning

Room 345

Water Works

This lecture will be presented by Kate Orff of Scape/Landscape Architecture in New York City.

The lecture will be presented

October 28

4:30 p.m.

Architecture and Urban Planning

Room 170

An RSVP to peter559@uwm.edu is kindly requested, but not required.

All Things Water

The UWM School of Freshwater Sciences presents:
Ensuring a Secure Future Through Water Stewardship

Kim Marotta

Vice President
Corporate Social Responsibility

MillerCoors

MillerCoors has a vested interest in ensuring a secure future through water stewardship. Beer begins and ends with water: it's the central ingredient in beer—from the barley farmers using it to irrigate crops to the role it plays throughout the brewing process and cleaning and packaging the beers. This presentation will focus on MillerCoors clear strategy for water stewardship: (1) Water Efficiency; (2) Waste Water Management; (3) Watershed Risk Assessments; (4) Water Footprinting; and (5) Community Investments.

Wednesday, October 26
12:00 p.m.
School of Freshwater Sciences
Great Lakes Research Facility Ballroom
600 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee  (map) (directions)

All Things Water seminars are geared towards a general audience, and are free and open to the public. Bring your lunch and join us!

Photo by MillerCoors

Photo courtesy Milwaukee Riverkeeper

Anchor Watch Seminar at UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute -- SoundCitizen: Citizen Science and Pollution

The lecture will be presented by Dr. Rick Keil,

Associate Professor and Fleming Professor for Undergraduate Education, School of Oceanography,
at University of Washington

The lecture will be held:

Friday, October 21 at 1:30 at UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute located at 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI.

Painting the Cream City Green: How Milwaukee Can Improve its Economy, Health and Environment with Green Jobs

Clean Wisconsin, in partnership with the Doug La Follette Environmental Lecture Series, will host a lecture by Dr. Henry S. Cole in Milwaukee Thursday, October 20 at 6:00 pm.

The lecture is titled, “Painting the Cream City Green: How Milwaukee can improve its economy, health and environment with green jobs.”

Refreshments and conversation to follow lecture.
This event is free and open to the public.

The event will be held:
Thursday, October 20 from 6-8 pm at
Helios-USA, located at 1207 W. Canal St., Milwaukee, WI

Rally 2011: The National Land Conservation Conference

Connecting Communities for the Future of Conservation

Rally is an opportunity to take advantage of the more than 300 seasoned land conservation professionals serving as Rally faculty, who are ready to help you expand your expertise. Packed with 110+ workshops, 26 in-depth seminars, and field trips and special events, Rally is the place to get the answers you need and the skills you can use. (register)

    October 13-16

    Frontier Airlines Center
    400 W Wisconsin Ave

    Milwaukee (map)

(read full article)

7th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference

Healthy Lakes 2011

Sponsored by the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition

Wednesday, Oct. 12 thru Friday, Oct. 14 2011
at the Westin Book Cadillac, Detroit, Michigan (map)

The Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition will join together on the shores of the Detroit River to reunite with friends, celebrate our successes, and develop new strategies to achieve our Great Lakes restoration goals in 2012 and beyond.

(read full article)

Fishing the Milwaukee River

It's fall!  The steelheads are running!

Visit the Root River Steelhead Facility open house and find out more about the steelheads in our rivers and Lake Michigan.

Date: Saturday October 8th 2011 from 9am-3pm

Looks like a fun family outing for fall!  Here's the flyer for the event.

Then grab your fishing poles and head on out.  Here's the news from Travel Wisconsin about where those steelheads are running.

Freshwater Future Grants Deadline – September 30

The mission of Freshwater Future is to foster and support a vital, effective grassroots sector working locally to protect aquatic habitats throughout the Great Lakes Basin. Freshwater Future provides financial resources, shares information, and fosters communication between citizens and organizations working to protect aquatic habitats. The Freshwater Future grants program is designed to increase the ability of grassroots groups and individuals to succeed in advocacy projects – local community members actively promoting aquatic habitat protection by influencing community and individual behavior and opinion, corporate conduct, and public policy – to protect rivers, lakes, and wetlands in their areas.

2011 Grants Request for Proposals (RFP)

Click here to determine your eligibility.

(read full article)

Sturgeon release honored with a drumming circle

Celebrate the Return of the Sturgeon Sturgeon Fest 2011

Riveredge Nature Center, the Wisconsin DNR, Volunteers, Sponsors and Donors will release the sixth batch of river water-imprinted sturgeon from Riveredge's Streamside Rearing Facility to the Milwaukee River on Saturday, October 1 at the annual Sturgeon Fest event.

    Saturday, October 1

    10:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m.
    Thiensville Village Park

    299 Elm St

    Thiensville (map)

Take this opportunity to sponsor and release your own sturgeon! (registration)

(read full article)

RRF Sponsors "Valley Maker" at Milwaukee Film Festival

River Revitalization Foundation is sponsoring "Valley Maker", directed by Riverwest resident, Sean Kafer, in this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival.

Valley Maker

USA | 2011 | 72 min | English

Director: Sean Kafer

Final Screening

10/1/2011, 12:30 PM, Downer Theatre

Ticket information at http://www.milwaukee-film.org/tixSYS/2011/filmguide/

(read full article)

view trailer

MMSD Toilet Rebate Program Starts October 1

Save water – a 1.28 gallon toilet saves up to 16,500 gallons of water a year over older, less efficient toilets found in more than 50% of U.S. homes – by purchasing a high efficiency toilet through the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's (MMSD) instant rebate program.

MMSD is offering $100 instant rebates on two models of Kohler toilets that are 1.28 gallons per flush, starting October 1.

(read full article)

Clean Water America Alliance's 2011 Urban Water Sustainability Leadership Conference in Milwaukee

This year's CWAA leadership conference will take place in Milwaukee, the "world water hub":

October 3-5

Pfister Hotel
424 E Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee (map)

Five cities – Austin, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Louisville, and Seattle – will be spotlighted for their efforts in promoting urban water sustainability.

The 2011 Leadership Conference will feature a welcoming keynote by Mayor Tom Barrett, and Kim Marotta, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at MillerCoors.

(read full article)

Chris Clayton, River Alliance, and volunteer monitor testing the waters

Urban Stormwater and Water Quality:

Community Based Solutions

Focused, one-day conference sponsored by Clean Wisconsin, Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Scotts Miracle-Gro. 

Here's the agenda.  Great topics.

Date: October 5 from 10:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m.

Location: Discovery World  (lunch included)

Follow this link to make your reservation.

Doors Open MKE

Jones Island Reclamation Facility Tours

Here's a great opportunity to tour the facility and learn about the history of Jones Island as well as the processes that protect our water quality and Lake Michigan.

One day only -- September 24th.  Tours begin at 11:00a.m. and continue through the day on the hour with last tour at 4:00p.m.

Here's a link to more tour info and to the Doors Open Milwaukee website.

New Publication Now Available

Inside the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds:

A Summary of the Southeastern WI Water Quality Management Update Plan 2007

The Water Quality Management Update Plan 2007, developed by Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, is one of the foundational documents for the development of the Kinnickinnic and Menomonee Watershed Restoration Plans.

The publication, Inside the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds, summarizes findings and recommendations central to the work of Sweet Water.

Uihlein Gift Fosters UW-Milwaukee/University of Wisconsin Collaboration

An additional gift from Milwaukee philanthropist Lynde B. Uihlein to UW-Milwaukee’s Center for Water Policy will help launch a two-year pilot program that will bring the expertise of the University of Wisconsin Law School to the new Center.

Melissa Scanlan was named as the Water Law and Policy Scholar at both institutions and will carry out joint research and teaching in water law and policy, connecting the programs and faculty at both schools. Scanlan brings an interdisciplinary background in water law, science, policy and management.

"The new Center will build on strengths within UWM as well as create collaborations with other great institutions, such as UW Law School, to build multi-disciplinary teams of experts focused on providing solutions to critical water problems," said David Garman, dean of the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences. According to Garman, the Center will also link with other major water policy development centers, including those in Stockholm and Singapore.

(read full article)

Ms Scanlan (Photo by OnMilwaukee.com)

Water Summit V: Achieving Harmony through Water

The Milwaukee Water Council invites you to join us for Water Summit V. This thought-provoking conference will address creating harmony in three distinct arenas of the energy-environment-economic nexus through its trademark focus on problem-solving and conflict resolution. Leaders in business, govenment, academia, and non-profits will learn strategies for collaboration in addressing water issues, and participate in mapping blueprints for the future of water-related industries.

When:

    Monday, September 19, 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

    Tuesday, September 20, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where:

    Discovery World

    500 N Harbor Dr

    Milwaukee (map)

(read full article)

Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern Stakeholder Input Group Meeting

Special Session

Representatives from EPA-GLNPO and WDNR will be on hand to share their vision for and scope of the Great Lakes Areas of Concern program, and have an opportunity to provide feedback to the agencies about the program. (flyer)

When:

     Wednesday, September 21

     9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Where:

     Windhover Community Room

     Milwaukee Community Sailing Center

     1450 N Lincoln Memorial Dr

     Milwaukee (map)

RSVP to Megan O'Shea, (414) 263-8625.

For more information and map go to Wisconsin's Great Lakes Areas of Concern website.

DNR Milwaukee Estuary AOC website.

Deadline Today, September 15! Mini-Grant Grant Proposals Due!

Still time to get your proposal submitted for projects in either the Menomonee or Kinnickinnic Watershed.

The deadline for grant applications for the 2011 Mini-Grant Program is this evening, September 15, 11:59 pm.

The focus of this year's program is the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Watersheds. All projects need to be sited in one of these watersheds. The grant program funds local, grassroots efforts to improve water quality.

For more information, call Jeff Martinka at 414-477-1156 or email at martinka@swwtwater.org.

Follow the link for more information and for the application.

Holler Park restoration project funded in 2010

Courtesy Dave Ciepluch

Photo 2009 Mini-grant project: Bio-swales for Urban Ecology Center's parking lot

Photo courtesy Urban Ecology Center

Sweet Water Announces 2011 Water Quality Mini-grant Program

The request for proposals and application are available now for the 2011-2012 mini-grant program.

The program is funded through the generous support from the Fund for Lake Michigan, Wisconsin Energy Foundation and MMSD. This year's funding will enable Sweet Water to expand the program.

Grant applications are due

     September 15

This year, Sweet Water is requesting that all projects proposed be sited within the Kinnickinnic or Menomonee River Watersheds.

For more information, call Jeff Martinka at 414-477-1156 or email at martinka@swwtwater.org.

Follow the link for more information and for the application.

EPA Announces Award to MMSD, Sweet Water, and Menomonee River Municipalities

Over 35 people attended a formal announcement August 31 at Hart Park of a $100,000 grant from the EPA to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and its partners. The effort’s goal is the development, through a cooperative partnership of up to 20 governmental units in Menomonee Watershed, of a single, collaborative stormwater permit framework. The approach offers tremendous potential to cost-effectively improve water quality.

This pilot is one of three in the country.

The event featured remarks by Susan Hedman, Administrator for EPA Region 5, Cathy Stepp, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Anthony S. Earl, Joyce Foundation Board Member and former Wisconsin Governor and DNR Secretary, and Kevin Shafer, Executive Director of the MMSD.

A number of elected officials from Menomonee Watershed communities also attended, including City of Wauwatosa Mayor Jill Didier who welcomed the attendess.  For more information see the press release linked here.

Tom Grisa presenting opening remarks to attendees

Speaking at the event: (from left) Anthony Earl, former governor and Joyce Foundation Board Member; Cathy Stepp, WDNR Secretary; Jill Didier, Mayor of Wauwatosa; Susan Hedman, EPA Administrator for Region 5;Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, MMSD; Tom Grisa, Public Works Director and Sweet Water Board Member

Reserve Your Ticket for Special Concert:

Present Music's celebration of WATER

Join Present Music in their celebration one of the most important resources in our region, WATER.

Present Music, Milwaukee’s new music ensemble, will perform new music inspired by water, including a world premiere.

Danceworks Performance Company, Milwaukee Choral Artists, Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee, Cream City Chorus, Milwaukee Mask & Puppet Theatre and Bel Canto Boy Choirs will join the ensemble to bring dancers  and voices to the evening.

UW Milwaukee’s Department of Art and Design illuminates our ideas of water through video, outdoor installations and water-themed artwork.

Get your free ticket at www.presentmusic.org. Tickets for free seating are going fast.

For more information, go to Present Music's facebook page for the event.  Hope to see you there!

DNR Review Process for Waukesha's Great Lakes Water Application

The DNR held a first round of informational meetings/public hearings July 26 to July 28. The first public comment period is open until August 13.

Written comments may be submitted until August 13, 2011 to:

    Kay McConnell
    DNR Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater
    PO Box 7921
    Madison, WI 53707-7921

    DNRWaukeshaDiversionApp@wisconsin.gov

    (608) 266-2299

Kinnickinnic River Corridor Neighborhood Plan/Modification Plan Featured

Listen in as WUWM’s environmental reporter Susan Bence talks with people working to repair and restore the KK,

• Kinnickinnic River Watershed Action Team Co-Chair Ben Gramling (Sixteenth Street Community Health Center)
• Steering Council Chair Nancy Frank (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee)
• Neighbor Liaison Andrea Fuentes (Sixteenth Street Community Health Center)
• Neighborhood Resident Myra Romo

discussing South 15th Street Residential Stormwater Management Projects:

       Lake Effect – July 25, 2011

Wondering about basement back-ups?

A new video by MMSD helps to explain why we have problems with basement backups in our communities and how we can address this issue.

Follow the link to view the video on YouTube.

Sweet Water Partners Advance Watershed Restoration Plan Projects

Residential Best Management Practices A group of homeowners in the 25-square-mile Kinnickinnic River watershed is participating in the Residential Stormwater Project, organized by the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center. Along S 15th St, neighbors are disconnecting gutter downspouts and installing rain barrels to collect the rainwater, looking for the best place for a rain garden, or discussing what to plant in the new swales between the sidewalk and the street.

Groundwork Milwaukee designed and is installing the residential green infrastructure. Milwaukee Riverkeeper will collect river data to gauge the project’s effectiveness.

Thanks to a grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan, this pilot project will be replicated in three additional target areas. 

Commercial Best Management Practices The Fund for Lake Michigan will also provide funding to American Rivers to support the installation of green infrastructure in a targeted area of the Wilson Park Creek sub-watershed – at General Mills, 4625 S 6th St, and the Islamic Society of Milwaukee’s Salam School, 815 W Layton Ave – replacing impervious parking lots with porous pavement strips that allow stormwater to infiltrate on site, and disconnecting rooftop downspouts from the storm sewers, redirecting roof flow into bioswales for better infiltration.

(Bay View Compass article)

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Many products you use in your home and yard contain hazardous materials. Improper disposal of household chemicals can pose a threat to health, and contaminate land, air and water supplies. Also, mishandling of some of these materials can cause fires or serious injuries to people and animals.

Examples of these materials include:

• paint, gasoline, paint thinners, solvents (flammable)
• pesticides, cleaning products (poisonous)
• acids, bases, cleaning products (corrosive)
• flares, pool chemicals (reactive)
• other – fluorescent lights, ballasts, computers and electronics, cooking oil, propane tanks, oil, antifreeze, batteries

(read full article)

The Spring 2011 RiversReport is out. Find it here.

In this issue:

• Menomonee River Watershed Update
• Volunteer Highlight
• Road Salt Monitoring
• Building Green Economy
• Water and Community
• Reaching Beyond the Choir
• Citizen Voices
• Urban Wisconsin Watershed
• Innovative Fish Habitat
• Root River Progress

Marquette Students Help Advance Sweet Water Priority Projects

Two teams of seniors from Marquette University’s School of Engineering presented plans for the 6th St. Green Corridor Project and the green roof for Islamic Society of Milwaukee’s Community Center at the May Kinnickinnic Watershed Action Team meeting. 

Paige Peters, Klarissa Keadle, and Kyle Hill developed conceptual designs for a pilot green street in Milwaukee's 13th District. Their work jump-started community discussion of the proposed Green Corridor Project.

Alderman Witkowski of the 13th District commented, “The presentation of the students provided our Green Corridor effort with a starting point for grant applications; selling and explaining where we would like to go and what this technology can do.”

(read full article)

Integrated green street plan developed by the Green Corridor Project team: Klarrisa Keadle, Paige Peters and Kyle Hill

Sweet Water Beginning Strategic Planning

Sweet Water will be engaging in strategic planning over the coming months.  We have developed a survey (see link below) to understand better how our participants and members view our work and the challenges and approaches that we should focus on in the future.

Please take a few minutes to answer the survey.

We appreciate you taking time to help us in this endeavor.

Updates: Governor Walker's Proposed Budget and Inclusions Affecting Water Quality

The Joint Finance Committee has withdrawn changes to the phosphorus ruling from the budget bill under review. The phosphorus rule remains in place without delays to its implementation.  Separate legislation will likely be introduced, however, with intent to change the phosphorus rule as it stands.

In addition, the directive given by the Joint Finance Committee to repeal and recreate NR 151 regulating agricultural and urban nonpoint pollution has now been refocused to limit the requirement for municipalities to reduce TSS (total suspended solids) by 20% rather than the 40% as required by the rule before the action of the Joint Finance Committee.

Please see Sweet Water's letter to the Joint Finance Committee, linked on the sidebar, for a detailed response to the Committee regarding these changes and the potential effect on Sweet Water's work in the region.

WI Senator Miller and Representative Mason's letter to the EPA with questions regarding the phosphorus rule and the implications of delaying the implementation of the rule and the EPA’s response to these questions are linked here.

Senator Miller and Representative Mason's letter

EPA Response from Tinka Hyde, Director of the Water Division, Region 5.

You are invited to: On The River's Edge --  

A community forum featuring the Menomonee River and its watershed

The forum will be held from 4 to 9 pm on July 28 at Wauwatosa's Hart Park Senior Center located at 7300 Chestnut St. in the Riverview Room.
 
Eddee Daniel, author of Urban Wilderness: Exploring a Metropolitan Watershed, give a presentation on his fascinating journey down our local river. 
 
Share your water experiences with community residents in small group strategy sessions; learn about your local watershed; discuss positive steps you can take to help prevent sewer backups and protect our rivers, lakes and streams.

The forum is presented by members of the Transition Milwaukee Water Working Group and in partnership with Sweet Water, Urban Wilderness, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, MMSD, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, UWEX and Waukesha County Green Team.

The DNR Beginning Review Process for Waukesha's Great Lakes Water Application

The DNR will hold a first round of informational meetings/public hearings the week of July 25, 2011. This first public comment period is open until August 13, 2011.

Meeting Dates and locations:

Tuesday July 26, 2011-- Waukesha County Technical College, Business Bldg., Lecture Hall B140 and B130, 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072

Wednesday July 27, 2011 -- Hart Park, Riverview Room, 7300 Chestnut Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Thursday July 28, 2011 -- Sturtevant DNR Service Center, 9531 Rayne Road, Sturtevant, WI 53177

Written comments may be submitted until August 13, 2011 to:

Kay McConnell
DNR Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

DNRWaukeshaDiversionApp@wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-2299

Watershed Action Team Meetings This Week

The next regularly-scheduled Watershed Action Team (WAT) meetings will be held next week.

The Menomonee River WAT meeting is being held

     Tuesday, July 19

     4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

     Rm 111
     Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension,           Building A
     9501 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa

          (map) (agenda)

The Kinnickinnic River WAT meeting is being held

     Wednesday, July 20

     4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

     Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
     Parkway Health Center

     2906 S 20th St, Milwaukee

          (map) (agenda)

All are welcome and we hope to see you there!

AOC Stakeholder Input Meeting

The next Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) Stakeholder Input Meeting will be held

Wednesday, July 27

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Wilson Park Pavilion

1601 W Howard Ave, Milwaukee (map)

The meeting will address water quality issues as they relate to the portion of the Kinnickinnic River from S Chase Ave to the Milwaukee Estuary and Harbor.

Attendees are asked to review meeting materials

http://fyi.uwex.edu/aocs/milwaukee

in advance.

For more information, contact Megan at

(414) 263-8625

Friends of Holler Park work crew, grant recipent 2010

Sweet Water Mini-Grant Program

Are there water quality projects in your neighborhood or around your community that could use a boost from a small grant? 

Sweet Water is in the planning phase for its mini-grant program. This is the 3rd year for the program.  Last year, 11 grants were awarded to a variety of recipieints  for projects advancing water quality, habitat protection or restoration, or public awareness about water issues.

This year we are focusing the mini-grants on projects located in the Kinnickinnic or Menomonee Watersheds.

The Request for Proposals will be posted here on our website later this summer.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
US Forest Service
FY 2011 Request for Proposals

The U.S. Forest Service's Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry has grant funding available through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for proposals in the Great Lakes Watershed. No matching funds are required although they are encouraged.

Deadline for receipt of grant proposals is

5 pm
July 15, 2011

For further information on RFP A - Urban and Community Forestry, Brownfield Restoration and Emerald Ash Borer Habitat Restoration please
contact Steve Davis at

610-557-4151

or by e-mail at

stevendavis@fs.fed.us

For further information on RFP - B  Payment for Ecosystem Services please contact Sarah Hines at

610-557-4218

or by e-mail at

shines@fs.fed.us

Adopt-a-Beach Cleanups

In the Adopt-a-Beach program, volunteers adopt a section of Lake Michigan beach and visit it several times a year, picking up trash, performing a simple bacteria test, and taking notes on water condition and quality.

The results are fed into the online data entry system operated by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, where they're used to spot pollution trends.

Schools and community organizations in Wisconsin are hosting cleanups that are open to the public:

• July 16, Gibraltar Ecology Club - Sand Bay Beach 1 in Sturgeon Bay. Information

Comment on EPA Clean Water Act Guidance Document

In April, the United States EPA and Army Corps of Engineers issued a proposed Guidance Document clarifying when isolated wetlands, headwaters, and ephemeral streams should be protected under the Clean Water Act. The Guidance reinstates some of the historic protections that were lost following U.S. Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006.

EPA is accepting comments on this draft Guidance through July 1st. Visit the Wisconsin Wetlands Association website for details about the Guidance, how to comment, and possible talking points.

EPA to Discuss Burnham Canal Dredging at Public Meeting

In 2008, Miller Compressing Co. voluntarily agreed to study contamination of the Burnham Canal, a former shipping channel off the Menomonee River in Milwaukee, and to pay for cleanup.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will discuss its proposed $2.3 million cleanup of the canal at a public meeting

June 28

6:00 p.m.

Café El Sol

United Community Center

1028 S 9th St, Milwaukee (map)

Residents are invited to comment on the plan at the meeting.

(read full article)

Special Funds Announced for Farmers in Lake Michigan Watersheds

Farmers in the Lower Fox River, Manitowoc-Sheboygan, and the Milwaukee River watersheds may be eligible for a special conservation initiative to help clean up the Great Lakes.

Wisconsin is one of eight states that have received federal funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that Wisconsin will receive $1.4 million for agricultural conservation practices to reduce erosion and protect water quality through this initiative. Funding is available to help farmers with the cost of needed conservation practices, with particular emphasis on livestock concerns.

(read full article)

From the 6th St. Bridge Art Project

Courtesy 16th St. Community Health Center

Grand Opening for the 6th St. Bridge Art

Come join the celebration!

It's a River Party!  Join the neighborhood celebration as the artwork for the 6th St. Bridge is unveiled.  There'll be food, games, and prizes. Bring your bikes, scooters, and strollers to decorate for the neighborhood parade.  Parade begins at 11:15.

Here are the details --

Location: Modrejewski/Cleveland Park

Time: 10:30a.m to 1:30p.m.

         Parade at 11:15

For the flyer, follow the link.

Stopping the Asian Carp: Can It Be Done?

The Senior Water Advocates Network (SWAN) invites you to a program and lunch at Café Hollander in Wauwatosa June 21.

Discover the answer and learn what's being done to fight the carp invasion. Staff from the Alliance for the Great Lakes will tell you what the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Government are doing...and not doing; and how environmental groups are mobilizing for fast action to protect Lake Michigan from the carp.

Tuesday, June 21 - 11:00 am to 2:15 pm

At the Café Hollander located at 7677 W. State St., Wauwatosa (map)

Cost: $12.00 per person (Special price for Milwaukee Riverkeeper members - $10.00).

All ages are welcome. Bring a friend to this informative and fun event...

(read full article)

County Grounds Flood Basin Ready for Rain

The Milwaukee County Grounds Flood Management Project is fully functional for the first time, reducing the risk of destructive flooding for homes and businesses in Wauwatosa and downstream in Milwaukee.

Flooding causes more damage than any other natural disaster. Milwaukee County alone experienced more than $200 million in damage since 1997.

What were once characterized as “100-year” storms have become more frequent.  The flood management project continues efforts as a region to minimize damage and to reduce flood-related risks to families, homes, and businesses.

(read full article)

Free Rain Barrel Painting Class

The Village of Menomonee Falls is offering a free Rain Barrel Painting Class to 15 lucky families

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

W156N8480 Pilgrim Rd (map)
Menomonee Falls

The Village will supply a prepped rain barrel (thanks to Waste Management's donation), paints, and basic brushes. Bring your own fancy brushes, glitter, sponges, sponge roller, glitter, etc.

Adults must attend and help children during the painting class – this is a family project to enjoy. Remember to wear old clothes, and make sure you have transportation for the finished rain barrel at the end of the class.

Email

stormwater@menomonee-falls.org

or call

(262) 532-4417

to sign up. Last year the class filled up in about 24 hours!

Milwaukee Estuary Stakeholder Input Group Meeting – Save the Date

Thursday, June 2, 2011

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wisconsin DNR

Southeast Regional Headquarters

2300 N Dr Martin Luther King Dr (map)

Milwaukee

Adequate Fish & Wildlife Habitat: The first of many Stakeholder Input Sessions to discuss approaches to advance the effort to rehabilitate the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern.

For more information, contact

Megan O'Shea

(414) 263-8625

Meeting materials will be sent out one week in advance to allow you to review and prepare your thoughts. You may also find these materials on the Great Lakes Areas of Concern website.

You can help keep hazardous home waste out of our rivers and streams.

Photo by River Revitalization Foundation

Celebrate National Trails Day

Celebrate National Trails Day with the River Revitalization Foundation this Saturday,

June 4

10 am - 12 pm

Enjoy a guided hike along the 2.5 mile Beerline Trail loop on the Milwaukee River. Learn about the history of the river corridor, as well as restoration projects happening throughout the Greenway, including RRF’s Gateway property.

Meet in the parking lot at

Gordon Park

N. Humboldt Ave. and E. Locust St.

Parking available in the lot, enter from Humboldt. Bring water and a snack; dress appropriately for a leisurely hike. Please contact

          Vince Bushell

          (vbushell@gmail.com)

or

          Theresa Morgan

          (tmorgan@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org)

for more information.

Waste Management Volunteer Native Plant Day

Calling all adults or kids interested in a hands-on ecological restoration project to help hand-plant nearly 2,000 native wetland plants on the shores of

Hidden Springs Pond (map)

Saturday, May 21

9 AM to 1 PM

(lunch will be around noon)

(more)

Milwaukee Inner Harbor Project
Spring 2011 Public Review and Discussion

You are invited to join the students and faculty of the Milwaukee Inner Harbor Project for a review of their semester’s work,

Friday, May 20
1:00 p.m - 5:30 p.m.

UWM Architecture & Urban Planning Building Commons

2131 E. Hartford Ave, Milwaukee (map)

followed by a public discussion of the project and its future. The work of thirteen classes in architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering will be on display, with students on hand to explain and defend their ideas.

The work is as rich and diverse as the UWM School of Architecture & Urban Planning itself, all bound together by a commitment to seeing Milwaukee’s Inner Harbor and the surrounding area imagined anew.

Flyer

For more information, contact Christine Scott Thomson at

scottce@uwm.edu

You're Invited – Sweet Water Watershed Action Team  Meetings – May 18 and 19

Kinnickinnic River Watershed Action Team

       Wednesday, May 18, 4pm – 6pm

       Sixteenth Street Community Health Center

       Parkway Health Center

       2906 S 20th St

       Milwaukee (map)

Menomonee River Watershed Action Team

       Thursday, May 19, 4pm – 6pm

       Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension

       Building A, Rm 111

       9501 W Watertown Plank Rd

       Wauwatosa (map) (directions)

To RSVP or to learn more about the meetings:

If you have meeting questions or are interested in getting involved in your watershed, please contact one of the co-chairs:

Kinnickinnic River Watershed Action Team Co-Chairs

       Sean Foltz
       American Rivers

       SFoltz@AmericanRivers.org
       (414) 727-2292

       Benjamin Gramling
       Sixteenth Street Community Health Center

       Ben.Gramling@SSSCHC.org
       (414) 385-3577

Menomonee River Watershed Action Team Co-Chairs

       Theresa Morgan

       River Revitalization Foundation

       TMorgan@RiverRevitalizationFoundation.org

       (414) 271-8000, Ext. 2

       Cheryl Nenn
       Milwaukee Riverkeeper

       Cheryl_Nenn@MilwaukeeRiverkeeper.org

       (414) 287-0207, Ext. 229

To learn more about Sweet Water or its Watershed Action Teams, visit here. Find meeting agenda here (KK) and here (MN).

Winter RiversReport On-line

Articles in this issue include:

• A Voice for the River – Eddee Daniel
• Underwood Creek Rehabilitation
• Water Star Award – Menomonee Falls
• Volunteer Spotlight – Jean Davidson
• Watershed Action Teams Reach Milestone
• Urban Conservation on the Milwaukee River
• Friendly Faces of the Great Lakes
• Volunteer Stream Monitoring 2010 Report
• UWM Institute for Ecological Design Lecture Series
• Fish Passage Program in Ozaukee County
• GLRI Funds Habitat Restoration in Area of Concern
• Upcoming Events

Follow the link.

Request for Proposals
Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Landscape Conservation Cooperative (UMGL LCC) seeks project ideas for potential funding in 2011. The UMGL LCC may have up to $1.3 million to distribute. Project selection will be made by June 3. Individual projects in past funding cycles have ranged from $100,000 to $200,000, though smaller and larger projects are welcome.

Proposals must follow the prescribed application. Deadline for the proposal submittal is:

May 12, 2011

4:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time

Submit proposals by e-mail to:

Craig_Czarnecki@fws.gov

and

bda@illinois.edu

(read full article)

Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition Funding Available

Applications Due May 15, 2011

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition is teaming up with Freshwater Future to help local groups in the Great Lakes region obtain and use funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and other federal sources as part of the Coalition’s Implementation Grants Program.

The HOW grants program will be providing $115,000 to help jump-start projects. The effort will ensure local groups are equipped to manage and complete effective projects with GLRI and other federal funds, and help ensure sustained support from the federal government to clean up, restore, and heal the Great Lakes.

Freshwater Future is hosting meetings in each of the HOW Priority Areas to meet with groups, discuss project ideas, and answer questions about the HOW RFP (Request for Proposals).

To view the Request for Proposals, Application, and the Priority Area Maps, visit www.freshwaterfuture.org

For informational meeting schedule, read full article.

MMSD's Medicine Collection Day April 30

If you are the first of 1,200 Milwaukee County residents who drop off unused prescriptions at Medicine Collection Day on Saturday, you will get a free five pound bag of Milorganite®.

Do you have out-of-date medicines and pharmaceuticals in your medicine cabinet? Don't flush them down the toilet or throw them out in the garbage where they can enter our waterways and groundwater. There's a better way. 

If you live in Milwaukee County you can participate in the MMSD's medicine drop off day or take your unwanted medicines to participating police departments.

You can help protect Lake Michigan, prevent childhood poisonings, and keep pills out of the hands of drug abusers by disposing of these items through MMSD's Medicine Collection Program.

Click on the Medicine Collection flyer for more information.

Image by Milwaukee Boat Line

Water Week @ Discovery World

April 25-29 | 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Everything you wanted to know about water. Special displays, harbor tours, Jones Island Plant tours and more!

Visit Discovery World for a week-long focus on water. Enjoy special water-related projects in the Kohl's Design It! Lab, experience the new MillerCoors Thirst Lab, see unique displays by the Port of Milwaukee, model boat clubs, the U.S. Coast Guard and more, plus get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Reiman Aquarium. Harbor History Cruises aboard the luxurious Vista King and tours of the Jones Island Treatment Plant will also be offered. It’s everything you always wanted to know about water!

(read full article)

Neighborhoods: Making an Impact on Water Quality

Many of our priority projects identified in the Implementation Plan are sited in neighborhoods and communities.  We have an opportunity to learn from similar efforts through a free webinar on

April 27

from

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

The webinar, Community-Based Green Infrastructure, is presented by the Watershed Management Group will highlight approaches to engaging neighborhoods in green infrastructure and discuss lessons learned.

Here's the flyer and the website for registration and more information on green infrastructure.

Photo courtesy Root-Pike WIN

Photos by Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation

Sweet Water Mini-Grant Helps Fund Whitefish Bay Rain Barrel Street Art Project

Rain barrels will be part of a street art project designed to enliven the streetscape while providing information related to the two important watersheds bordering Whitefish Bay – the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan. Educational fact sheets regarding water conservation and usage will be attached to each barrel. 

Thirty barrels will be on display during Whitefish Bay’s Green Day in the Bay in

Cahill Park (map)

April 30, 2011

and on the streets of Whitefish Bay in May. A "meet the artist" reception will be held in conjunction with the project. Local businesses will also sponsor individual barrels, and those barrels will be made available for purchase via silent auction.

The Whitefish Bay Rain Barrel Street Art Project is co-sponsored by the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation and Sweet Water.

For more information, please contact

AnneOConnor@WFBCivicFoundation.org

(read full article)

County Grounds Detention Area

UWM Bio-swale for Stormwater

Invitation to Special Presentation–SLAMM Model

Nancy Frank, Sweet Water Chair and Chair of the Department of Urban Planning at UWM, invites you to a presentation about the SLAMM model by Aaron Volkening of AECOM, an environmental consultant.  Volkening is speaking to her water resources class on April 18. There is additional room in the class for those interested in his presentation.

The SLAMM model is the model used by municipalities to develop their stormwater management plans. Sweet Water is looking at the usefulness of SLAMM modeling as a tool for prioritizing projects in the watershed implementation action plans.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

April 18, 1:30 - 3:00
UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning
2131 E. Hartford Ave.
Room 191 (located at the north end of the building)

For more information, contact Nancy Frank at:

(414) 229-5372 or frankn@uwm.edu

River Clean-Ups Are Tomorrow!  Just show up! Go to MKE Riverkeeper's Website for Locations.

This Saturday morning, April 16, throughout the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds, hundreds of volunteers will don rubber gloves, grab trash bags and begin the yearly spring task of cleaning up our rivers. 

They'll gather the odd and all-to-common trash that finds its way into our rivers and along their banks. At the end of the day, hundreds of pounds of trash and garbage will be hauled away.

But the good doesn't stop with piled bags of trash and a cleaner river. These volunteers will also have the good feeling that comes from accomplishing a major task in the company of other like-minded people.

So, what are you planning to do Saturday morning? Make time if you can and join us. You might find more than trash. You might find a new community.

For locations and to register, follow this link to Milwaukee Riverkeeper's website.

Never participated in a clean-up? Want to know what you're getting into? Follow this link.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Friday & Saturday

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, motor oil, rechargeable batteries – get rid of household chemicals properly by bringing them to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Household Hazardous Waste Program.

A mobile collection will take place at

State Fair Park

640 S 84th St

West Allis, WI (map)

this week

11 am to 6 pm

Friday, April 15, 2011

and

8 am to 2 pm

Saturday, April 16, 2011

(read full article)

River Revitalization Foundation to Receive Grant

River Revitalization Foundation will use a $5,000 grant from MillerCoors and River Network to restore major habitat on a 2.8 acre riverfront parcel. The project will reduce storm water run-off, improve habitat for wildlife, and serve as primary entrance for recreation in the Milwaukee River valley.

As part of MillerCoors total donation of $80,000 to River Network, the brewer and national organization partnered to bring the third annual MillerCoors-River Network competition for more than $50,000 in grants, to be used towards watershed protection and quality, to the ballot box. The winning organizations were chosen by the public through an online voting competition in which more than 20,000 people cast votes over a one month voting period for one of six non-profits in contention.

MillerCoors and River Network will continue to work with the winning organizations throughout the year to execute the projects.

See original article here.

Before and. . .

After

Photos by River Revitalization Foundation

How About Some Good News Today?

There's good work occuring all around our city and region that is advancing water quality and the protection of our environment. This crossed my desk – a monthly staff flyer, the Green Print, from Milwaukee County.  It highlights the County's efforts to conserve natural resources and to promote energy efficiency.  This issue highlights bmps installed at the Milwaukee County Zoo to address stormwater runoff as well as an animal waste compost program with Growing Power to reduce greenhouse gases.  Here's the link.

If you have some good news about water quality to share, send it on to Kate Morgan,

kmorgan@1kfriends.org

Lake Michigan Forum

Measuring Biodiversity in Lake Michigan & Cleaning-up the Sheboygan River Area of Concern

April 13, 2011
6:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m.
Salon C & D
Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center
725 Blue Harbor Dr
Sheboygan (map)

Featuring

Doug Pearsall

Senior Conservation Scientist
The Nature Conservancy

John Perrecone & Kevin O’Donnell
U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office

and

Department of Natural Resources representatives

(read full article)

2011 Wisconsin Lakes Convention

ANNOUNCER: Breaking news from 88.8 W...A...T...R, with special reports from correspondents Erin, Sandy, and Laura. The 2011 Wisconsin Lakes Convention, Speaking for Lakes, will be held

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

through

Thursday, April 14, 2011

at the

KI Convention Center

Green Bay (map and directions)

See and hear how the collaboration of arts and science can speak for Wisconsin lakes.

(read full article)

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2011 Request for Applications

EPA is soliciting applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Up to $40 million may be awarded under this Request for Applications (RFA) for about 150 projects.

Submit an application: Applications must be submitted to EPA via http://apply.glnpo.net/ or through http://www.grants.gov by

12:00 p.m.

on

April 11, 2011

Download the Request for Applications [PDF 248 kB, 53 pages, rev. 2-25-2011]

(full article) (press release)

Wauwatosa Neighborhood Association Workshop: How to Strengthen Your Community

April 9, 2011 – 9 am to Noon
The Lutheran Home

7500 W North Ave, Milwaukee map

Admission is free. All are welcome!

Learn How To:
• Enhance membership
• Coordinate and host events
• Get the word out
• Support your neighborhood

Please register by April 5, 2011. Email your Name, Neighborhood Association, Phone Number to

     NAC@wi.rr.com

Questions? Contact Julie Walker at
     (414) 476-0112

(full article)

Citizen Input Needed to Rehabilitate Our Rivers

Learn how you, as a "stakeholder" in the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) Rehabilitation, can get involved and provide your input into the process of how the waters of concern will be rehabilitated.

Community Informational Meetings
Attend either

April 4

2 to 4 pm
UW-Extension
9501 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa (map)

or

April 5

6 to 8 pm
Urban Ecology Center
1500 E Park Pl, Milwaukee (map)

Learn ways you can participate in stakeholder input sessions over the next eighteen months on approaches to rehabilitate the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern.

For more information, call Megan O’Shea, WDNR, at

     (414) 263-8625
(full article)

click on map to enlarge

Webinar: Tips and Tactics for a Winning Application Under the GLRI Request for Applications

River Network and Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition invite you to attend an informational webinar on the Environmental Protection Agency’s current Request for Applications under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This webinar will provide participants with tips and tactics to make your grant application competitive for the current round of EPA funding.

Date: Thursday, March 24

Time: 9:00 am-10:30 am

Length: 90 minutes, including Q&A

Cost: Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

To register:

http://www.rivernetwork.org/forms/GLRI-request-for-applications-webinar-rsvp

You will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Hill at (734) 887-7104 or HillJ@NWF.org.

(full article)

Workshop: Water Friendly Codes and Ordinances "202"– Revising Codes for Stormwater Compliance and Smarter Sites

Update: A few workshop seats remain open for the

Water-Friendly Codes and Ordinances "202"

Revising Codes for Stormwater Compliance and Smarter Sites
workshop on "green" codes and ordinances.

Date: March 24

Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location:

     Milwaukee County Zoo

     Zoofari Conference Center

     10001 W Bluemound Rd, Wauwatosa (map)

Sponsored by: EPA, Sweet Water, American Rivers, MMSD, APA, Ohio Lake Erie Commission, and Cleveland State Univerity

This one-day, “202-level” workshop will offer practical strategies and case studies for amending zoning language, development standards, and review processes to improve MS4 stormwater permit compliance and encourage site-level stormwater techniques. The agenda includes hands-on exercises, “stormwater story problems,” and an interactive clinic for professional and peer input on challenging code, ordinance, and process issues.

For more information, see linked brochure, and http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/glcodes/index.htm

Courtesy www.hpigreen.com

Courtesy www.portlandonline.com

Photo by River Revitalization Foundation

Vote for River Revitalization Foundation in MillerCoors-River Network Grant Contest

River Revitalization Foundation has been chosen as one of six finalists to receive a $30,000 grant from MillerCoors, one of the nation’s top brewers, and River Network, a national non-profit working to improve the health of rivers and watersheds. You can help them to win the grant!

This is an online voting competition – the finalist with the most votes will win a $30,000 grant, second place will receive $10,000, and third place will receive $5,000. The remaining projects will each receive $3,000. 

Go to rivernetwork.org/2011-millercoors-watershed-grants-contest to cast your vote by March 20. Pass this information on to family and friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, websites, or whatever way you like to communicate, and encourage them to vote.

(full article)

Fix a Leak Week a Good Time to Save Money, Water

The DNR, Public Service Commission, and Division of Safety and Buildings have teamed together to promote Fix a Leak Week March 14-20, 2011 to encourage homeowners, renters, and property managers to check for and fix water plumbing leaks.

A free inspection by participating plumbers during "Fix a Leak Week" this month, and videos and other information, can help Wisconsin homeowners put an end to the drip and save water and money.

State agencies are also sponsoring a Fix a Leak Week Challenge and encouraging people to pledge to check their home for leaks and tell us what you found and fixed. To sign up online for the challenge, see the fun "Leaks don't fix themselves" Fix a Leak Week video and for more tips to stop your drips, visit Fix a Leak Week on the DNR website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Shaili Pfeiffer, DNR (608) 267-7630; Jeff Ripp, PSC, (608) 267-9813; Jerry Thompson, Division of Safety and Buildings, (608) 266-6742.

(full article)

Jeff Martinka to Speak at Waukesha County Water Conference

Waukesha County Environmental Action League (WEAL) presents:

Water~Wise 2011 flyer

Saturday, March 19, 2011
8:30 am–12:00 noon
Carroll University
Campus Center Ballroom
100 N East Ave, Waukesha map

Presentations:

2011 Keynote Address – Charting New Waters: National Challenges, Local Solutions

Presented by: Lynn Broaddus, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Director, Environment Programs
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread

Small Wetlands, Big Value

Presented by: Dr. Mary Linton
Wetland Ecologist and Aquatic Biologist
Chairman, Board of Directors
Wisconsin Wetlands Association

Sweet Water-An Innovative, Regional Approach
to Water Pollution Control

Presented by: Jeff Martinka
Executive Director of Sweet Water
The Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc.

Water~Wise is open to the public and presented free of charge. Contributions will be gratefully accepted.

Visit the WEAL website for information.

Update: Grant Application Webinar Offered March 24

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2011 Request for Applications

EPA is soliciting applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Up to $40 million may be awarded under this Request for Applications (RFA) for about 150 projects.

Learn more about the RFA: EPA will host two webinars to explain the RFA and answer your questions. There is no charge to participate, but you must pre-register.

• Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 10 a.m. - noon
  Registration: gotomeeting.com/register/778176848
  
• Thursday, March 17, 2011, 10 a.m. - noon
  Registration: gotomeeting.com/register/214473136

Submit an application: Applications must be submitted to EPA via http://apply.glnpo.net/ or through http://www.grants.gov by 12:00 p.m. on April 11, 2011.

Download the Request for Applications [PDF 248 kB, 53 pages, rev. 2-25-2011]

(full article) (press release)

Tagged Banksy

Sweet Water’s Watershed Action Team (WAT) Meetings This Week

Menomonee River WAT Meeting

When: Tuesday, March 15th, 4pm – 6pm

Location: Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension, Building A, Rm 111

Where: 9501 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa

Kinnickinnic River WAT Meeting

When: Wednesday, March 16th, 4pm – 6pm

Location: Sixteenth Street Community Health Center Parkway Health Center

Where: 2906 S 20th St, Milwaukee

To learn more about Sweet Water or its Watershed Action Teams, visit the Watershed Action Teams page.

Project Will Help Collect Rainwater Within the Local Watersheds

Transition Milwaukee's Water Working Group is helping to increase rainwater harvesting in Milwaukee homes, by researching, educating, and implementing water conservation methods and affordable urban sustainability projects. One of the current projects provides containers or "totes" for on-site stormwater collection at various locations in Milwaukee County this spring and summer.

The Water Working Group is seeking secure outside storage for approximately twenty-five 275 gallon totes between March 15 and October 30.

If you know of someone who might be able to make an area available, please contact Chris Terbrueggen, Water Working Group Coordinator,

Christopher402@GMail.com

Photo by Transition Milwaukee

Watershed Action Team Meeting Dates

The Kinnickinnic River and Menomonee River Watershed Action Teams have set meeting dates and times for 2011:

All meetings are scheduled for 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

KK WAT meetings are held at Sixteenth Street Community Health Center's Parkway Health Center

     2906 S 20th St, Milwaukee (map)

MN WAT meeting locations are to be determined (map).

Watch the Sweet Water website and the Calendar of Events for up-to-date information.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Update Meeting

SAVE THE DATE
The Wisconsin Lake Michigan Stakeholders will host a meeting to update members on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

     February 23 (afternoon)
     Lakeshore Technical College
     Cleveland, WI

          Map: http://www.gotoltc.com/campusmap/index.php

          Campus map: LTC Cleveland Campus

Watch Sweet Water website for updates on Agenda and Details.

EPA FY2011 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Request for Applications

In February, 2011, EPA expects to release a competitive announcement (RFA, or Request for Applications) requesting the submission of grant applications for approximately $40 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. The amount of funding for the RFA is contingent on the availability of appropriations.

Full applications will be due approximately 45 days after release of the announcement. At this time EPA does not expect to issue any other GLRI funding announcements in Fiscal Year 2011.
(more)

Additional information is available at

     http://epa.gov/greatlakes/fund/2011rfa01/

We encourage all applicants to register with us at
     http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/maillist
to be informed about our funding process.

Clean River, Clear Falls Stormwater Expo

Interested in learning how to prevent stormwater pollution, and to reuse or harvest rainwater?

The Village of Menomonee Falls is holding the second annual Clean River, Clear Falls Stormwater Expo

Friday, February 25, 2011

10:00 AM-5:00 PM

and

Saturday, February 26, 2011

9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Menomonee Falls Fire Station 3
W140N7501 Lilly Rd, Menomonee Falls (map)

Come and learn about stormwater pollution and water quality improvement! Join us in learning about what we can do to improve the water quality of the Menomonee River and Fox River. Hear entertaining speakers and experts in the areas of rain gardens, rain barrels, rainwater harvesting, canoeing, the Return of the Sturgeon Program, the Asian Carp Problem, and more on both days.

(more)

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the event? in exhibiting or speaking at the event? Features and benefits are here.

For more information or to be added to the mailing list, or if you're interested in volunteering to help with activities at the event, contact Nancy at (262) 532-4417 or by email.

Deadline Extended: Funding Opportunity for Habitat Restoration in Great Lakes Areas of Concern

Application deadline: February 17, 2011

NOAA's Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program has released a federal funding opportunity (FFO) for habitat restoration in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The FFO is available at www.grants.gov, funding number NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2011-2002872. The closing date has been extended to February 17, 2011.

(more)

If you have any questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact either Julie Sims (julie.sims@noaa.gov) or Jessica Berrio (jessica.berrio@noaa.gov).

Teens Volunteering for Walnut Way

Volunteer Monitoring Milwaukee Riverkeeper

Free Informational Workshop about the Dutton Foundation Contest for the Environment

February 16, 2011

6:00 pm- 7:30 pm

Free Pizza at 5:45 pm!

Urban Ecology Center

1500 E. Park Place in Milwaukee

Register by February 15 so organizers know how much pizza to order. If you have not registered yet and plan to attend, please call Belle Bergner at 414-339-2405.

The 2010 - 2011 James E. Dutton Foundation Contest for the Environment seeks to reward excellent middle and high school students' projects that reduce the impact of stormwater on the region's water quality and wildlife.  College scholarships from $6000 - $12,000 for middle and high school students will be awarded to the winning entries.

A panel of stormwater experts form AECOM, Marek Landscaping, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, RA Smith, Sigma Group and the UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute will answer technical questions about stormwater challenges and solutions and will present project ideas.  contest staff will answer questions about the contest.

Register for this event at the James Dutton Foundation website:

www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/contest

Menomonee River Group Announces Speakers Bureau

The Menomonee River Group announces the creation of a speakers’ bureau focused on water to encourage neighborhood associations, community groups, and local businesses to make water as a topic for their meetings and gatherings.  

A diverse roster of 40 presentations has been assembled.  Topics include water law and regulations; the ecology of our rivers and lakes; recreation, culture and history; challenges; community planning; conservation and stewardship. For the speakers bureau catalog, follow this link.

The Menomonee River Group is a consortium of municipal and county members working together to protect our waterways and Lake Michigan through education and outreach efforts for residents, businesses, and others working in the Menomonee Watershed.  The group members are also members of Sweet Water. 

The Menomonee River Group would like to acknowledge the support of the Joyce Foundation, Sweet Water, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

Photo courtesy MMSD

Winter Tips to Protect Our Rivers and Streams:

A Low-Salt Diet for Walkways and Driveways

With winter snow and ice here, homeowners should consider environmentally friendly and effective alternatives to simply covering their sidewalks and driveways with lots of rock salt.

By learning about different types of salt and application methods, homeowners can ensure sidewalk safety while also helping protect Southeastern Wisconsin rivers, lakes and fish, which can be harmed by high salt levels.

To help protect our rivers and streams from too much salt:

1.  Shovel early and often.

2.  Check the label.

3.  Apply salt early, but sparingly.

4.  Stick to sand.

5.  Avoid products that contain urea.

For more information on the Winter Low-Salt Diet, follow this link.

Concerned About Asian Carp and Lake Michigan?

Give your concerns a voice at this upcoming public hearing.  12 public scoping meetings are being held around the Great Lakes with one in Milwaukee. This effort is being spearheaded by the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS).

Meeting Information:

Tuesday, February 15, 2011
2:00pm—8:00pm
The Miller Room of the O'Donnell Park Complex
910 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI

For more information about this effort, their website:
http://glmris.anl.gov/involve/pubschedule/index.cfm

And the brochure.

Courtesy absolutemichigan.com

Courtesy Chicago Now

  Jeff Martinka with Kevin Shafer, MMSD; Molly Flanagan, Joyce  Foundation; and David Lee, WE Energies, congratulating mini-grant recipient.  Photo courtesy of MMSD

Congratulations 2010 Mini-Grant Award Recipients!

Eleven area projects have been awarded a total of $15,000 to support projects that will help to protect water quality or to restore water resources in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.

The competitive application process drew 33 applications from municipal departments, neighborhood and civic associations and non-profit organizations from the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.

The 2010 awards were made possible through the generous support of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the Wisconsin Energy Foundation, and the Joyce Foundation. 

The 2010 Mini-Grant recipients and their project titles are:

• Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail – Hank Aaron Pollution & Runoff Control Project
• Holler Park Neighborhood Association – Holler Park Pond Vegetation Improvement
• Maryland Avenue Montessori – Milwaukee – Maryland Avenue School Ginormous Rain Barrel

• Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc. – Ember Lane River Access & Restoration Project
• Village of Menomonee Falls – Paws Pledge Pet Poop Pick-up for Rivers Campaign
• Milwaukee Department of City Development – Teen Environmental Action of Milwaukee Project
• Milwaukee Riverkeeper – Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Equipment
• Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network – Root-Pike WIN Rain Garden Program
• Urban Anthropology, Inc. – The Family Tree Program
• Victory Garden Initiative – Concordia Gardens Rainwater Collection System
• Whitefish Bay Civic Initiative – Whitefish Bay Rain Barrel Street Art Project

Updates on the 2010 mini-grant projects will be posted here on our website throughout the year and in our quarterly newsletter, The RiversReport.

Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference Success

The over 220 attendees at the conference reflected the diversity of stakeholders in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.  Attendees came from neighborhood and park associations, businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and agencies to learn and share the current thinking, research, and best management practices for protection and restoration of our water resources.  They also came to be part of the growing vision for our waters and our communities and to engage in discourse about that vision.

The opening plenary included presentations by Jill Didier, Mayor of Wauwatosa; Judy Beck, Lake Michigan Manager for the EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office; Kevin Shafer, Executive Director Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Nancy Frank, Sweet, Chair Sweet Water Steering Council; and Jeff Martinka, Executive Director Sweet Water. These opening talks set the context for the sessions that followed.

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Jeff Martinka, Sweet Water; Judy Beck, EPA; Nancy Frank, Sweet Water;and Keven Shafer, MMSD

Science Committee Meeting for February 1 Rescheduled

The February 1 meeting of the Science Committee has been rescheduled to

     Monday, February 7

     10:30 am - 12:30 pm

     UW-Milwaukee

     Great Lakes WATER Institute

The focus for this meeting will be the issue of human sewage entering the storm sewer/river system.

For more information about this meeting, call Ezra Meyer at 608-251-7020, x20.

Wisconsin Soil and Water Conservation Society
Annual Conference

Is Wisconsin Meeting the Nutrient Management Challenge?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Holiday Inn Stevens Point - Convention Center
1001 Amber Ave
Stevens Point, WI (map)

Program/Presenters

Detailed Agenda
Registration

Dunn County Groups Focus on Water Quality

Members of Sustainable Dunn and the Tainter-Menomin Lake Improvement Association have started an initiative declaring 2011 "The Year of Water". The goal is to educate the public about protecting lakes, streams, rivers and groundwater, and to create a plan to protect and improve the quality of the Red Cedar River watershed.

An event to kick off the initiative is planned for Sunday, January 30. The goal of the event is to solicit water-improvement ideas from residents from throughout the Red Cedar River basin, which stretches from Barron County to the Chippewa River. Cheryl Nenn of the Milwaukee Riverkeeper organization and Daniel Zerr of the UW-Extension are featured speakers at the event.

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If you go

What:

     Water Quality in the Red Cedar River Watershed
When:

     Sunday, January 30

     1 to 5 p.m.
Where:

     Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts

     205 Main St, Menomonie, WI (map)
Cost: free
Information: www.sustainabledunn.org

Information About Area Water Resources and Public Attitudes Presented Today

Sweet Water and the Public Policy Forum will present survey findings regarding Milwaukee area residents’ knowledge, opinions, and attitudes concerning water resources.
When:

January 25

7:30 a.m.

Where:

University Club of Milwaukee

924 E Wells St, Milwaukee (map)

The breakfast briefing will be presented for Sweet Water, Public Policy Forum trustees, Sweet Water steering council members, and key partners and friends.

Presentations will by made Robert Henken of the Public Policy Forum and Jeff Martinka of Sweet Water, with introductory remarks by Nancy Frank, Sweet Water; Steve Hiniker, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin; and Rich Meeusen, Badger Meter.

A continental breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., the program will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m., discussion and Q&A to conclude by 8:45 a.m.

Jeff Martinka will present the findings of the survey for the Rotary Club of Milwaukee luncheon program. Introduction will be by Robert Henken of the Public Policy Forum.

When:

January 25

Noon

Where:

Milwaukee County War Memorial Center

750 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee (map)

The public survey, primarily funded by a Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant, with additional support from the Joyce Foundation and other partners, will inform 2011 public outreach efforts of Sweet Water and its partners, aiming to boost public understanding of issues facing our rivers and Lake Michigan, and to promote the positive impact residents can have in protecting our water resources.

The survey was commissioned by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and developed in partnership with the Public Policy Forum, which analyzed and summarized data from 388 households from six counties across the Kinnickinnic, Menomonee, and Milwaukee River watersheds.

THIS WEEK: WAT Meetings

Kinnickinnic River Watershed Action Team

Wednesday, January 19

4 PM to 6 PM

Location:

2906 S 20th St, Milwaukee (map)

UPDATE: View/download agenda (revised).

Menomonee River Watershed Action Team
Thursday, January 20

4 PM to 6 PM

Location:

          Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension, Building A

RiversReport Call for Articles

The Winter RiversReport issue will be coming out mid-January or so. This publication is a means of connecting with each other and communicating the important issues and efforts in our region.

We are always looking for interesting articles about our waterways and the people and projects that affect them. Tell your story! Toot your horn! Photos (with credits) and quotes are always a plus. Article submission form and guidelines are here.

This issue we would like to list upcoming events, conferences, etc. If you have an event you would like listed, please send the details to

Gail Epping Overholt

Basin Educator

UW-Extension

9501 W Watertown Plank Rd

Wauwatosa, WI  53226-3552

gail.overholt@ces.uwex.edu

If we don’t use the events in the RiversReport, we'll make sure to share them via email and the website.

See this event example:

     February 16-17

     Wetlands in the Landscape: 16th Annual Wetland Conference

     Baraboo

     Info: wisconsinwetlands.org/2011conference.htm

Milwaukee County Land and Water Resource Management Plan

Milwaukee County is working with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) to update its land and water resource management plan. Milwaukee County's original plan was developed in 2001 and was updated in 2006 in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The current update will serve the 2012-2016 period. The plan is being documented in SEWRPC Community Assistance Planning Report No. 312, A Land and Water Resource Management Plan for Milwaukee County: 2012-2016.

You may view draft chapters of the plan and related documents, as well as make comments on SEWRPC’s website at: sewrpc.org | Environment | Land and Water Resource Management Planning

A public meeting is planned for early 2011.

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