Upcoming Events

Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference
June 19, 2009
Telemark Resort & Conference Center
Register online

Low Lake Levels in Northern Wisconsin: a workshop on our changing lakes
July 28, 2009
Waters of Minocqua
Register online

Northern region

Rollie Alger
alger@nnex.net

Earl Cook
elcook@interserv.com

Sandy Gillum
ssgillum@nnex.net

Chris Jeffords
hunterwi@indianheadtel.net

Susan Wallin
swallin@eraparkside.com

Sam Lewis
sandslewis@msn.com

Northeast region

John Feavel
johnfeavel@yahoo.com

Tim Hoyman
thoyman@onterra-eco.com

Dave Pozorski
pozorski3@lakefield.net

Paul Schumacher


spaulsdoor@aol.com

West Central region

Pat Andress
raypat@citizens-tel.net

Kristen Charlton
kbcharlton@msn.com

Carol LeBreck
carol.k.lebreck@uwrf.edu

South Central Region

Sal Troia
bicycleracer@tds.net

Southeast region

Mary Knipper
knipper@pensys.com

Roger Walsh
rwalsh76@wi.rr.com

Chris Krieg
ckrieg3@aol.com

Wisconsin Association of Lakes individual members and contacts of member lake groups receive detailed analysis of policy initiatives that WAL is actively working on or supporting and notifications of opportunities to participate in the policy making process.

Our policy work is entirely supported by member dues and generous donations. Please join us or donate to support our continued work on behalf of Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes.

Aquatic invasive species transport bill (AB 162 / SB 123)

The full Senate passed the bill (SB 123) May 13. SB 123 has been referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The Assembly Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on the Assembly companion bill (AB 162) on May 6^th. This bill offers some technical changes to improve upon the “illegal to transport” language that was passed in the supplemental budget bill in May of 2008. All aquatic plants and animals would be required to be removed from boats or any other equipment before it is transported on public highways. Enforcement authority is also broadened under the bill. 

More on WAL’s AIS policy work.

Invasive Species Classification Administrative rule (NR 40).

On April 22, 2009 the Department of Natural Resources Natural Resource Board (NRB) approved the proposed Invasive Species Classification rule. The rule was forwarded to the legislature for final approval on May 11. The legislature may choose to a schedule a public hearing on the rule; if it does not object NR 40 will become law in the next few months. The rule—which has been under development for the last four years—classifies invasive species into two categories: prohibited and restricted. The rule also requires several preventative measures to limit spread of invasive species, and includes permit and enforcement provisions.

Role of administrative rules and the rulemaking process.

Read WAL’s comments on NR 40.

Slow no wake bill (SB 12)

The Slow no wake bill has passed both houses of the legislature, and is awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law. The state budget bill (see below) is a top priority, and may delay the official signing, potentially for several months. The Wisconsin Association of Lakes will keep our members informed when the bill becomes law. This bill establishes a statewide slow no wake zone for motorboats within 100 feet of a lake’s shoreline. Slow-no-wake zones may be extended farther away from the shore or established less than 100 feet from the shoreline through passage of local boating ordinances.

Read WAL’s testimony on SB 12 and learn more about other shoreland policy work

Phosphorus in dishwashing detergent (AB 281)

On May 27th, 2009, a bill (AB-281) was introduced that would reduce one of the most common causes of pollution: phosphorus in machine dishwashing products. Phosphorus from dishwasher detergent had been identified as a major source of phosphorus into wastewater treatment plants. A considerable amount of phosphorus from households is released to streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries through wastewater effluent. The Assembly Natural Resources committee held a public hearing on this bill June 3, 2009.

Read WAL’s testimony and learn more about other polluted runoff policy work

State Budget

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes is closely engaged in the state budget process, and is working to ensure that the State remains as committed to investing in public waters as possible in the throes of a budget crisis.

On May 11^th revised revenue estimates predicted an additional $1.6 Billion budget shortfall in addition to the original estimated state budget deficit of $5 Billion. This crisis will necessitate painful cuts to state programs and services. The Governor has announced several budget reduction strategies, including imposing another 5% cut in all agency budgets, laying off more than 1000 state employees, requiring 16 unpaid furlough days for all state employees, cuts to school aid and shared revenue, and other cost saving measures.

Independent DNR Secretary bill (AB 138 / SB 113)

This bill would restore authority to the DNR Natural Resource Board (NRB) to appoint the DNR Secretary. Currently, the Governor appoints the DNR Secretary. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

Guide to following the legislative process.

Read about work on other policy issues important to lakes

Mercury Products (AB 299 / SB 200)

This proposal would regulate the sale of non-essential household products to which mercury has been added during formulation and manufacture including fever thermometers, manometers (instruments for measuring pressure), thermostats, instruments and measuring devices, switches and relays, and household items. Every lake in Wisconsin is currently under a mercury advisory. 

Personal Floatation Devices (SB-162)

This bill would require all persons 12 years old or younger to wear a personal floatation device, be in a cabin space, or below the deck, while the boat is in operation. The Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources held a public hearing May 28, and voted in Executive Session to send the bill forward to the full Senate for consideration. The bill may now be scheduled by the Senate Organization committee for a vote by the full Senate.

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Join us June 19^th for the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference at the Telemark Resort and Conference Center in Cable Wisconsin.

Event details 

Online registration (registration deadline June 13^th)

We are pleased to welcome Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank who will give a luncheon address. Secretary Frank has seen significant conservation milestones achieved in his tenure as Secretary including re-authorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and passage of the Great Lakes Compact. He is currently leading efforts to address invasive species, non-point pollution of lakes and streams, water conservation, and wildlife habitat protection.

We will also be joined by State Representative Nick Milroy. Rep. Milroy is a fisheries biologist by training and currently serves on the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Committee on Fish and Wildlife, and Committee on Forestry. We’ll be exploring the role of science in shaping legislation in our legislative updates session. Area Representative Gary Sherman and Senator Bob Jauch are also distinguished legislative guests; both have a long-standing commitment to Wisconsin water issues. This is a great opportunity for lake citizens to share their views with their elected officials.

Randy Stark, Chief Conservation Warden of the WDNR Bureau of Law Enforcement, will focus on some key people, challenges and events that shaped the history of the conservation movement in the United States since early 1800’s.  He will tell the conservation story in a manner that he hopes will stimulate appreciation for the foresight, dedication and sacrifice of those who came before us, and provide inspiration to us in our day to tackle current conservation challenges on behalf of future generations.

Sessions throughout the day will explore ways to address land use concerns, zoning enforcement challenges, and local lake success stories. Join us for this great networking opportunity!

New York Supreme Court upholds states’ ballast water regulations

In a ruling that could bolster Wisconsin’s own quest for stronger ballast water regulations, New York’s Supreme Court affirmed the state’s right to impose strict ballast water treatment requirements on Great Lakes ships in order to prevent invasive species. New York’s rules are slated to take effect in 2012. The shipping industry lost a similar case when it challenged Michigan’s ballast water discharge law.

In 2006, a Federal Court ruled that ballast water met the definition of “biological pollution”, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must begin regulating ballast water discharges from freighters under the Clean Water Act by Sept. 30, 2008. But EPA’s permit requirements developed in response, are insufficient to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering the Great Lakes (and eventually inland lakes), and weak Federal rules are not good enough to protect Wisconsin water quality standards.

Several Great Lakes states—frustrated by a lack of Federal progress on the issue in Congress—have been pursuing their own administrative rules or laws to address ballast water discharges into the Great Lakes from international ships.

In March 2008, the DNR determined it has legal authority to regulate ballast water discharges under current law that implements the Federal Clean Water Act. Wisconsin's draft rules, released in February, would force the shipping industry to install ballast treatment systems by 2012. Minnesota is pursuing weaker rules that would not kick in until 2016.

The state now spends $200 million annually to offset the damage to commercial and recreational fishing caused to by invasive species (such as when zebra mussels clog water inlet pipes and sea lamprey and white perch overtake native fish habitats).

Many of the invasive species that have become established in the Great Lakes have or have the potential to hitchhike on boats into our inland lakes. Zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia are some examples of troublesome invasives that have migrated from the Great Lakes into inland lakes.

Low lake levels in Northern Lakes

The cumulative effects of several years of drought across northern Wisconsin are manifesting as lower lake levels. Some lakes are at 70 year lows. While lake levels are often cyclical, and fluctuate between periods of higher and lower water levels, scientists think the current low water cycle is longer than cycles of the past.

But are low water levels the result of prolonged drought or the first indications of a changing climate? Possibly both. Less rainfall has fallen over the last four years, but recent statistical modeling indicates the northern quarter of the state has actually received 15 to 20% less rain since the 1950s.

But climate change models have also predicted lower lake levels in the Upper Midwest as a combination of potentially shifting weather systems might result in higher temperatures, lower precipitation and greater evaporation—the combination of which could cause water levels to drop.

Lakes that rely on groundwater for all or part of their water source (seepage and spring lakes) are the most sensitive to changes in precipitation, and the most likely to experience changes in water levels.

Read a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on Wisconsin’s low lake levels

Join us Tuesday, July 28, 2009 (8:00 am – 2:00 pm) At The Waters of Minocqua to explore the reasons behind the low lake levels in Northern Wisconsin. Learn more about:

• Implications of climate change in Northern Wisconsin.
• Connections between groundwater and surface water levels.
• Which types of lakes, in which landscape settings, are most susceptible to water level declines.
• How Northern Wisconsin’s lakes are changing and what these changes mean for long-term lake health.
• Water level management of impounded systems.
• Balancing competing water uses on the Wisconsin River system.
• Ways we can adapt to our changing lakes.

More information (agenda, workshop location, workshop sponsors)

Online Registration

Shoreline tree packets available to lake districts and associations

The Griffith State Nursery in Wisconsin Rapids now offers shoreline tree packets to lake districts and associations for general distribution to their members.  Lake organizations can buy several packets or place tree orders, then subdivide and distribute them, as long as they are being used for conservation practices such as shoreline restoration, reforestation, etc. 

For more information and to order, visit the State Nursery website:  http://dnr.wi.gov/Forestry/Nursery/ or call 715-424-3700.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a Blue green algae exposure health reporting website. 

DHS staff are asking the public to notify them of any known or suspected human or animal exposures to blue-green algae that may have resulted in illnesses and have an online form on their website for reporting cases.

Interested in more lake news and supporting statewide lake work?

Policy updates and other special messages are sent to Wisconsin Association of Lakes individual members and individuals associated with member lake groups.

All of our advocacy, public policy, and legislative work is funded by membership dues and donations. We rely on your generosity to keep our advocacy and policy work alive.

If you are receiving this message as a forward, please consider joining or donating to WAL. Your contributions make our work possible.