News from the Wisconsin Association of Lakes

December 2007

• Phosphorus free lawn fertilizer bill (SB 197) advances
• Conservation organizations petition DNR to regulate ballast water discharges from international ships
• Report warns global warming will reduce Great Lakes water supply
• Join us for Conservation Lobby Day!
• February Aquatic Invasive Species workshop features national experts
• Article explores DNR and public’s roles in preserving Wisconsin shorelines
• Stories from the Shore
• Who are the people in your neighborhood?

Phosphorus free lawn fertilizer bill (SB 197) advances
	The Senate Natural Resources Committee held an Executive Session on the proposed statewide ban on phosphorus in lawn fertilizer (SB 197) on December 4th. The Committee voted 4-1 to send the bill to the full Senate for consideration. Please thank Senators Mark Miller, Robert Jauch, Robert Wirch, and Dale Schultz for sending this bill to the full Senate for consideration. The lone dissenter on the committee was Senator Neal Kedzie.   The committee also considered an amendment to exempt certain fertilizer products made from manure or finished sewage sludge from the bill. These niche market fertilizer products typically have low phosphorus content, but because of the source of phosphorus (manure or sewage), they cannot be formulated to be entirely phosphorus free. WAL is supportive of this amendment. The Committee voted 5-0 to amend the bill.    Banning phosphorus in lawn fertilizer is one easy step that will make a positive difference as we continue to work towards reducing phosphorus in our lakes. Although there are many steps before this phosphorus free lawn fertilizer initiative becomes law, the Senate Committee action is a positive first step.   The Senate can now schedule a vote on SB 197. If the Senate approves, the bill will be referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The Assembly Committee would then begin their process to consider the bill.   We will keep you informed as this bill progresses and opppotunities to participate in the policy making process as we work towards a new state law.
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Conservation organizations petition DNR to regulate ballast water discharges from international ships
	More than 180 invasive species and diseases have been introduced into the Great Lakes. Many of these species—including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, the round goby, spiny water flea, and possibly VHS—have been introduced by the discharge of ballast water into the Great Lakes from international ships Invasive species introduced into the Great Lakes have threatened a $4 billion dollar commercial/sport fishery, recreational and tourism businesses, and have increased costs for industry and municipalities. Some invasive species have made the leap from Great Lakes into our inland lakes, in some cases causing declining water quality, out competing valued native species, impacting recreational use, and increasing lake management costs for lake associations and districts. A review of current state pollution laws indicates that the Natural Resources Board and the Department can already fully regulate the discharge of ballast water from international ships. The Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requires that anyone discharging “biological materials” such as aquatic invasive species and diseases into Wisconsin waters requires a discharge permit and treatment for the ballast water. The State of Michigan has previously required such permits for international ships discharging ballast water into Michigan water of the Great Lakes. On December 5, the Wisconsin Association of Lakes and twelve other state, national and local conservation groups have petitioned the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources to require permits for the discharge of ballast water containing aquatic invasive species and diseases from international ships into the Wisconsin portions of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior and to modify any state administrative rules as necessary to move forward with a discharge permit system. The organizations petitioning the Natural Resources Board include: the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, The Wisconsin Federation of Great Lake Sport Fishing Clubs, the Wisconsin Council of Sportfishing Organizations, the River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited, Walleyes for Tomorrow, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Wisconsin Association of Lakes, Winnebago Land Conservation Alliance, Wisconsin Environment and Lakeshore Fisherman Sports Club Ltd.
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Report warns global warming will reduce Great Lakes water supply
	Global warming will reduce Great Lakes water supply, greater demand for water in the region and across the country will increase pressure to divert water from the dwindling Great Lakes, and existing regional water laws are inadequate to protect the Great Lakes, according to a new report by the National Wildlife Federation. The report, Climate Change and Great Lakes Water Resources , synthesizes the latest peer-reviewed science on global warming impacts to the Great Lakes. Impacts of warming temperatures include: lowering of lake levels, impacts on fisheries and wildlife, changes in Great Lakes shorelines, reduction of groundwater supplies, establishment of new exotic species that need warmer waters to survive worsening of existing invasive species problems as species—like the zebra mussel—whose range is limited by cold water are enabled by warming temperatures to become more widespread. Climate change will also reduce water supplies in other parts of the country, creating increased pressure to divert Great Lakes water to other regions, even as demands for water increase within the Great Lakes region. Currently, there is no consistent policy that meaningfully protects Great Lakes waters from diversions, overuse, or prevents impacts from changing climate conditions. The Great Lakes compact—which needs to be approved by each of the eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces—establishes a baseline set of standards for the Great Lakes region, and offers some needed policy improvements for adapting to climate change impacts on the Great Lakes and preventing diversion of Great Lakes water. The report concludes that the Great Lakes compact,if enacted, would be an important step in improving Great Lakes water resource policy to meet the challenge of climate change.   The Great Lakes Compact is Wisconsin's best chance to maintain regional control of Great Lakes water resources and ensure water is available to support Wisconsin's citizens and economy in the future. The Compact puts preventative measures in place before states that are facing serious water supply issues--like California, New Mexico, Kansas and others--muster enough votes in the Congress to send our water elsewhere.   Wisconsin has the dubious distinction of being the only state that has failed to introduce critical Compact legislation. Two Great Lake states (Minnesota and Illinois) have already passed Compact legislation. New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan have legislation pending. Both the Great Lakes Compact and Climate change are Conservation Priorities for this year’s Conservation Lobby Day (see below for more event information). Visit our website for information on how climate change and the Great Lakes Compact may impact inland lakes.
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Join us for Conservation Lobby Day!
	Join hundreds of citizens from every part of Wisconsin for Conservation Lobby Day on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. Sign up online on the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters website by Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008! This free event is a great opportunity to tell your legislators why you care about Wisconsin lakes and how action on Wisconsin's Conservation Priorities can help ensure a clean, safe, healthy future for our lakes and people who enjoy them. This year's Wisconsin Conservation Priorities feature three issues that are important to the future of Wisconsin's lakes: Preventing water diversions from the Great Lakes by passing a strong Great Lakes Compact Taking steps to minimize the impacts of climate change on our lakes Restoring integrity to natural resources management In addition to meeting with your legislators, citizens can attend free sessions to learn more about the conservation priority issues, get tips to develop better relationships with the press, and learn techniques to more effectively communicate about conservation issues.   Please pass on this event information to local group members and others interested in clean, safe, healthy lakes for everyone. Visit the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters website to learn more about event, download promotional materials for your group, and carpooling coordination.
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February Aquatic Invasive Species workshop features national experts
	Nationally-renowned experts in the field of aquatic invasive species (AIS) management will share their insights at a lakes conference on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.    The conference is for all people interested in lakes of the Upper Midwest, especially those lakes in Wisconsin and Illinois. The aim of this event is first to become informed about hydrilla, an exotic plant that has been found and controlled in one private, artificial pond in Marinette County, Wisconsin. Second, this event aims to strengthen our overall AIS prevention and response strategies so that we all can be more proactive in addressing these concerns before they become problems.    Perspectives from other states will form the basis for afternoon discussions on proactive AIS prevention and control strategies with staff from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and others. Featured speakers Dr. Michael Netherland of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Laboratory in Gainesville, Florida will explore the topic of aquatic plant management as it relates to current and potential invasive species. Dr. Netherland will explore the biology of hydrilla, a new invasive aquatic plant threatening the upper Midwest, as it has been experienced elsewhere in the United States. UW-Sea Grant’s Phil Moy will provide an overview of the concerns surrounding all kinds of aquatic invasives as an introduction to the day’s activities. Dr. Tyler Koshnick, formerly of the University of Florida and now with SePro Corporation, will follow with a discussion of control measures applicable to the management of hydrilla. He will review all of the applicable measures and share results of research that he conducted while at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Doug Keller, of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will wrap up the hydrilla discussion by sharing his state’s experience with managing this plant.   More information and online registration
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Article explores DNR and public’s roles in preserving Wisconsin shorelines
		A recent article published in Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine explores how the DNR brings the collective shoreline experiences of past and present generations to ensure their future enjoyment through education, experience and regulation. Learn how the Public Trust Doctrine—which holds the waters of Wisconsin in trust for all the people—forms the basis for current shoreland management including shoreland zoning. The article discusses the reasons for shoreland zoning rules (NR 115), the changing face of lakefront development, and the reasoning behind the proposed revisions to NR 115.   The article also highlights a new Shoreland Stewardship Award program to recognize those shoreland stewards who are clearly going above and beyond to improve the shore. The awards program will ask property owners, lakes groups, government agents and neighbors to recognize and commend outstanding examples of shoreland protection.
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Stories from the Shore
		Remember paddling down a tranquil stream? Fishing with grandpa? Watching a sunset with someone you love from the end of a dock? These are all memories treasured by Wisconsin residents and visitors and shared in a new book now available for purchase, Stories from the Shore. The book is available from WAL (e-mail or call 608-661-4313) or DNR. This new DNR publication includes short stories, poems, Native American lore and other tales combined with some basic science and “quick clips”—fast facts about shoreland resources. The collection showcases the passion for the shoreline and life-altering experiences Wisconsin citizens have had on lakeshores, riverbanks and stream sides. Those narratives from grandparents and children with tales of fish and birds memories that were funny or romantic all showed how people feel about Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers. The book reemphasizes the values Wisconsin people want to sustain along with the look and quality of their shorelines. Authors include DNR staff, shoreline property owners, shoreline property visitors and other friends. Their tales are organized in three sections—The Land, The Shoreline and The Water. Each section begins with a story and a page listing various plants, animals, bugs and other resources found in that area. Readers will enjoy everything from poetry about New England asters, to a writer’s account of a bluff hike on the mighty Mississippi, to a muskrat legend, and even a recipe for coot stew. It’s the perfect coffee table complement, a great holiday gift, and a great way to learn more about the shoreline resources—plants, animals, scenery and water—responsible for those treasured memories.
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Who are the people in your neighborhood?
	Who are the people, groups, leaders, and businesses that have made a positive impact to your lake this summer? The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership gives out these awards each year in celebration of the extraordinary volunteer and professional efforts given to protect and improve lakes in Wisconsin. The Stewardship Awards represent our best collective effort to honor and celebrate all the incredible work that goes into ensuring the future of our state's Legacy of Lakes. Please join us in that spirit by nominating a deserving person or group today. This year's nominees and winners will be celebrated at the 2008 Wisconsin Lakes Convention, to be held in Green Bay on April 17-19, 2008. Stewardship Awards nomination guidelines and online nomination form are online at the UW- Extension Lakes Program website. For more information on the awards or for nomination materials in another format, please contact the Wisconsin Association of Lakes office at 800-542-5253 (toll free in Wisconsin) or at 608-661-4313, or email us at wal@wisconsinlakes.org. Nominations are due no later than February 22, 2008.
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Working with you for clean, safe, healthy lakes
	The Wisconsin Association of Lakes is the only statewide organization working exclusively to protect and enhance the quality of Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes. We represent citizens like you who care about Wisconsin's lakes as a natural resource, and who also recognize the value healthy lakes bring to property values, tourist economies, and overall quality of life. Learn about our statewide voice for strong lake policy Learn about our lake education events Learn about our lake publications, The Lake Connection and E-lake Letter Join Us in working for clean, safe, healthy lakes for everyone.
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