An improved system to cleanup Wisconsin’s lakes

Posted on October 17, 2012 by amandawegner

This summer we saw some unusually unpleasant lake conditions; clumps of algae, bad smells, poor swimming conditions and dead fish to name a few. There are several culprits to blame, but one of them, phosphorus, played a significant role in the creation of these large algae blooms.

Tainter-Menomin with algae blooms

Phosphorus enters our lakes through various means, some are located very near our lakes and others are deceptively far. These contamination sources can also be very specific, like a single pipe outlet (“point sources”), or more broad like farmlands (“non-point sources”). Regardless of the source, the phosphorus that gets in is a major nutrient for algae, and makes it grow out of control.

So what has been done to address the issue?

Under the Clean Water Act, steps have been made to reduce this nutrient. We currently have laws in place that limit the amount of phosphorus that point sources can let into our lakes every year. Other measures such as phosphorus reductions in fertilizers and dish soaps are parts of an “upstream” reduction approach.

The Clean Water Act however, has only affected those “point sources” of phosphorus. Meanwhile, the non-point sources that have been contributing more and more phosphorus contamination are just now becoming the target of new regulations.

For a full timeline of water quality programs in Wisconsin history, check out this DNR page.

Algae accumulates on rocks in the Red Cedar watershed

Enter the revised strategy: Adaptive Management

The current system we use to reduce phosphorus counts on point sources of phosphorus pollution to reduce their own discharges by a set level. This level (represented in tons) is based on scientific research and surveys. In this way, we try to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the lakes by preventing an amount from ever entering it.

But ecosystems are complex creatures, and a reduction number does not always result in improved lakes. As we try to further reduce phosphorous levels in the lake, adaptive management allows the point sources to work together with non-point sources to get at the ultimate goal: improving lake water quality.

In the end, the beauty of adaptive management is that it will make it easier for polluters to meet their phosphorus reduction targets, but at the same time will measure their success on the actual health of the waterways

To learn more basics about the nuances of adaptive management, the DNR has put together a page comparing water quality trading and adaptive management goals

Dane County Launches Innovative Pilot Project to “Clean the Green”

Posted on June 11, 2012 by amandawegner

Lake Waubesa

Today, Dane County launched a pilot project designed to help reduce phosphorus pollution entering the county’s Yahara chain of lakes. This project uses the innovative phosphorus rules that Clean Wisconsin helped pass in 2010 and upon successful completion, will serve as a model for cleaning waters across the state.

Following is a video explaining phosphorus pollution and the pilot project, as well as our press release on today’s announcement.

Dane County Announces Project to Clean Up Lakes

Pilot project is first to use innovative phosphorus rules, could become model for nation

MADISON – Dane County leaders announced the creation of a pilot project today that will use tools provided in Wisconsin’s recently passed phosphorus rules to clean up the county’s lakes.

“By allowing farmers and municipalities to work together to clean up phosphorus pollution, Wisconsin’s phosphorus rules offer an entirely new approach that holds great promise to fix Dane County’s decades-old water quality problems,” said Melissa Malott, water program director at Clean Wisconsin and chair of the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission.

The smelly and unsightly algae blooms that plague many Wisconsin waters every summer are primarily the result of phosphorus pollution. Phosphorus pollution comes from two main sources: farm fields and point sources such as municipal sewerage districts and food processing factories. Previous laws have treated these sources as separate entities, requiring point sources to install expensive technologies. The adaptive management program of the phosphorus rules allows point sources to instead work with farmers to achieve even larger pollution reductions at a lower cost.

“Everyone wins under Wisconsin’s adaptive management program,” said Malott. “Point sources avoid installing expensive technologies, farmers receive financial assistance to make improvements that reduce pollution running off their farm fields, and residents get to look forward to a future of cleaner lakes.”

Wisconsin’s adaptive management program is a first-of-its-kind in the nation. Dane County leaders are optimistic that this pilot project will become a model for cleaning up waters throughout the state and across the nation.

“Through this project, we hope to clean up Dane County’s lakes, and show other communities across the state that the phosphorus rules provide a cost-effective way to clean up our lakes, rivers and streams,” said Malott. “If successful, Wisconsin’s innovative phosphorus rules could become a model for states struggling with water quality issues across the nation.”

Good news, Bad news about the Great Lakes

Posted on October 12, 2011 by samweis

Door County Pier, Credit: James Jordan

Is there any good news about clean water?

Yes. But first, the bad.

Lake Erie is experiencing unprecedentedly intense algae blooms, and Lake Michigan might not be far behind. The worst algae bloom in history severely contaminated the waters of western Lake Erie this summer, prompting concerns about whether the decades-long effort to clean up the lake may be undone by agricultural runoff and the spread of invasive species.

Lake Erie is the first line of attack, ahead of Lake Michigan, for the enormously harmful combination of polluted runoff and invasive species. The National Wildlife Federation today released a report documenting new and massive ecosystem breakdowns in the Great Lakes caused by interactions between excessive agricultural pollution and invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The report details the links between enormous algal blooms in Lake Erie that threaten the health of people and wildlife and a 95 percent decline in fish biomass in Lake Huron

Things are so bad that they’ve garnered the attention of the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, convened a hearing to discuss the causes and impacts of nutrient pollution in the United States and various approaches toward mitigating its effects. Sen. Cardin observed that, “Despite the protections of the Clean Water Act, the problem nationwide continues to grow… From the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and from Long Island Sound to San Francisco Bay, we must address the pollution in America’s waters by dealing with all the pollution … through comprehensive efforts…”

This is a crisis in the Great Lakes system, and soon may be a crisis for Lake Michigan. There are many ways to approach a crisis.

Florida is illustrating the wrong way to do it. Most recently, Rich Budell, director of the office of Agricultural Water Policy at Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, criticized nutrient regulations at the hearing Sen. Cardin convened, despite acknowledging the nutrient pollution problems in Florida. Mr. Budell joins the ‘Wrong Direction’ club with his fellow Floridian, Rep. John Mica, who introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to gut the Clean Water Act.

President John F. Kennedy said, “In times of crisis, be aware of the danger, but recognize the opportunity.”

Here is the good news: in the face of these horrible threats, Wisconsin is coming together. We aren’t fighting regulations on behalf of some industries at the expense of everyone else. We’re working together to find manageable solutions. Wisconsinites came together last year to pass an innovative set of rules to address phosphorus in our waterways. These rules let permittees avoid expensive technology costs in favor of finding cost-effective ways to restore water quality in the watershed. Throughout Wisconsin, permittees will be able to fund clean-up efforts from our largest source of nutrient pollution: agricultural runoff. Doing so will clean up our waters and allow us to avoid expensive phosphorus-control technology.

By working together to find solutions in these troubling environmental times, we can all look forward to a future of cleaner lakes.

-Contributed by Melissa Malott, water program director.

Return to Lake Tainter

Posted on October 11, 2011 by samweis

“Disgusting. Acrid. It smells like you’re walking into a pig barn.”

That’s how Melissa Malott, water program director at Clean Wisconsin, described the smell of an algae-filled bay on a recent tour of Northwestern Wisconsin’s Tainter Lake with Dick Lamers, President of the Tainter Menomin Lake Improvement Association.

After visiting this spring to discuss the effects of recurring blue-green algae blooms in lakes Tainter and Menomin and capture video, Malott and Clean Wisconsin communications director Sam Weis returned to Menomonie in August to see the algae blooms firsthand.

What they found was shocking, despite having heard dozens of accounts from locals before.
A thick layer of paint-like green algae bubbled atop the water, sending off noxious, gag-inducing odors in the back bays of Lake Tainter and the Red Cedar River. Piers, boats and backyards remained empty and unused on this beautiful summer day. The video above captures some of the sights, smells and stories we captured on this trip, as well as highlights DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp’s subsequent visit.

Being on the water is not only unpleasant, but also can be dangerous. The thick mat of green and blue-swirled algae is cyanobacteria, a toxic occurrence better known as blue-green algae. The toxic algae blooms that occur each year on these lakes results from excess phosphorus pollution and can cause cause rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, severe respiratory illness, and nerve and liver damage.

Reducing the frequency of toxic blue-green algae blooms in lakes like Tainter and Menomin and preventing them in other waters across the state, is why Clean Wisconsin works so hard to curb phosphorus pollution in our waterways.

Touring Lake Tainter was a terrific reminder of just how important that work is.

Click here to see the complete Tainter-Menomin video series and learn about how you can help clean up Wisconsin’s most impaired waters!

One minute can help protect our beautiful waters

Posted on September 13, 2011 by samweis

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow on a bill that would put water-polluting, phosphorus-laden fertilizers back on store shelves.

A single pound of phosphorus pollution can result in 500 pounds of algae growing in our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams. Especially troublesome, it is responsible for the growth of toxic blue-green algae in our waters which closes beaches, hurts our economy and threatens the health of our families.

A recent video highlights the terrible impact blue-green algae blooms can have on the lives of Wisconsin residents:

Every bit of phosphorus we can help keep out of our waters will help make them cleaner and safer for us all to enjoy.

Please take one minute to send members of the committee a note asking them to protect our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams by opposing this bill!

-contributed by Sam Weis, communications director

The summer of blue-green algae

Posted on August 3, 2011 by samweis

While reading an article about toxic blue-green algae blooms exploding in lakes across Wisconsin this morning, one line captivated and saddened me:

“So far, no fatalities have been reported because of toxic algae this year.”

It is an unspeakable travesty that many of our lakes have become so filled with toxic algae that entering them can be life threatening. While no fatalities have been reported this year, many people have become ill as a result of the algae blooms. The numbers are not yet available for this summer, but we can only anticipate that the intensity of this year’s blooms will result in even larger numbers of people becoming ill than the previous two years, when dozens were sickened:

“A total of 57 algae-related illnesses were reported on state waters in 2009 and 2010, including 22 in Dunn County, 17 in Adams County and eight in Dane County.”

Like so many people across the state, I grew up fishing, swimming, and skiing on Wisconsin’s beautiful lakes. Our lakes are essential to our way of life and our economy here in Wisconsin.

Luckily, we have the solutions to clean up our waters — by keeping nutrients like phosphorus out of the water, we can prevent the worst of these toxic algae blooms. At Clean Wisconsin we work year-round with municipalities, farmers, legislators and residents to find cost-effective ways of keeping phosphorus out of our waters.

Our waters should not make us sick, and until they are clean and safe, we will continue the fight for clean, healthy water. Do you want to join the fight for clean water in Wisconsin? Make sure to join our Action Network, or become a member of Clean Wisconsin today!

-contributed by Sam Weis, communications director.

Wisconsin residents warned to watch out for Blue-Green algae

Posted on July 29, 2011 by samweis

With highs in the 80s, this weekend looks like perfect weather to spend a day at the beach, but Wisconsin officials are warning residents to watch out for toxic blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae blooms are becoming increasingly common throughout the state, as a result of phosphorus pollution. This year, blue green algae has closed beaches and prompted warnings across the state including in Madison, in Lake Winnebago, and in Menomonie.

Blue green algae is more than a simple nuisance. Exposure to it can cause rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, severe respiratory illness, and even result in nerve and liver damage.

At Clean Wisconsin, we envision a future where all of Wisconsin’s lakes are safe to swim and fish in year-round. That’s why we’re fighting hard to reduce phosphorus pollution in our lakes, rivers and streams.

For this weekend, it’s a good idea to watch out for blue-green algae before entering the water. Below is the press release from the Department of health for further information:

WATCH FOR BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BEFORE JUMPING IN THE WATER THIS SUMMER

MADISON—State health officials are reminding families and pet owners to watch for blue-green algae in swimming and wading spots this summer.

“It’s great to have fun in Wisconsin waters, but swimming in or swallowing water with high levels of blue-green algae can make you sick,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer. “People and pets should avoid swimming in a body of water with a lot of blue-green algae.”

Blue-green algae may bloom in lakes, rivers and ponds and some blue-green algae produce toxins. Exposure to these algae can cause illness in people and has caused death in both domestic animals and livestock. Individuals can protect themselves, their family, and their pets by avoiding contact with water containing visible amounts of blue-green algae.

Algal blooms can form a thick, foul-smelling scum on the water’s surface that can look like paint or pea soup. Algal blooms range in color from green and fluorescent blue to brown. Most adults will avoid entering water with an algae bloom, but kids and pets can be hard to keep out of the water – no matter how it looks or smells.

Many water-loving dogs will swim and drink from water regardless of smell or appearance. It is important to remember that dogs exposed to algae should be rinsed off following contact with waters experiencing a bloom. Dogs often lick their fur after swimming and rinsing pets helps decrease the chance of ingesting algal materials. Seek immediate veterinary care if your pet develops any signs of illness after swimming in a lake, river or pond

If you come in contact with a blue-green algae bloom, you may experience eye, throat, nose or skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear a few hours after exposure, but occasionally people feel ill several days after exposure. Contact a physician if you experience muscle cramps, respiratory difficulties, nausea or vomiting following swimming in a lake or river.

“It’s a good idea to wash with clean water after playing or swimming in any lake or river, and, as always, to wash hands before eating,” Anderson said.

To report an algae-related illness, or for additional information, call the Department of Health Services at (608) 266-1120 or visit: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/bluegreenalgae/.

-Contributed by Sam Weis, communications director

Tuesday Trivia Answer: Algae Blooms Attack!

Posted on July 27, 2011 by samweis

Yesterday we asked a Tuesday Trivia question that utterly stumped our thousands of Facebook fans: “What do Madison, Wisconsin; Northern France; and Eastern China all have in common?”

The answer is an unfortunate one… All three are experiencing algae blooms that interfere with summer plans and generate headlines.

In China, a massive algae bloom is covering nearly 200 square miles of the Yellow sea in the Eastern part of the country. A recent article and blog post from CNN shows children playing in water covered in a mat of neon-green algae.

A boy and his father swim in a mat of thick, green algae. credit: cnn.com

Luckily, this algae is not toxic, however, it is expected to cause environmental harm and hurt marine wildlife as it sucks oxygen out of the water.

In Northern France, the situation is even worse. “Lethal algae take over beaches in northern France,” read a recent headline in The Guardian. A noxious algae bloom on the beaches of Northern Brittany is keeping the normally bustling popular vacation beaches empty. Those who do venture onto the beach face grave consequences as is demonstrated by this clip:

“A man has also taken legal action after he was left seriously ill from breathing in fumes from the decomposing algae. Vincent Petit, a 27-year-old vet, had to be dragged unconscious from a patch of rotting algae a metre deep this month after the horse he was riding collapsed and died from fumes given off by the sludge on the beach. The horse died within minutes.”

No horses are collapsing and dying in Madison, but blue green algae blooms are closing beaches, threatening the health of our families, and disappointing those who are seeking relief from the heat in or by the water. As of this morning, three Madison beaches were closed as a result of blue-green algae, and one due to high bacteria levels. Clean Wisconsin’s own Melissa Malott explained how algae blooms occur and what is being done to address the problem in this recent WKOW story:

These severe examples of algae blooms demonstrate the dangerous path we’re currently on. Unless we work in Wisconsin and around the world to curb pollution, especially phosphorus pollution, we can expect problems like these not only to continue, but also to get worse.

A big thanks to all of those who ventured guesses on this week’s challenging Tuesday Trivia. Want to participate in the weekly fun? Make sure to follow us on Facebook!

Contributed by Sam Weis, communications director.

The Environmental Impact of the Budget

Posted on June 27, 2011 by samweis

After months of work, the biennial budget has finally been signed into law. For better and for worse, some changes were made to Governor Walker’s original budget proposal. Clean Wisconsin fought for environmental provisions impacted in the budget, and we wanted to let you know what the final budget bill includes:

Recycling: While Governor Walker’s effort to end Wisconsin’s recycling as we know it was denied in the Legislature, the funding for local recycling was still cut by 40%, which will result in communities making cuts to their services, or charging fees to make up for the lost revenue.

Phosphorus: Efforts to delay Wisconsin’s phosphorus rule were removed from the budget.

Focus on Energy: Despite efforts of hundreds of businesses and numerous last minute press accounts of the cost savings and job creation the Focus on Energy program brings to Wisconsin, Governor Walker ignored requests to veto the cuts made to the program.

Stewardship: Funding for this program, which protects precious lands and open spaces for generations was reduced by $26 million, but also removed were the poison pills included in the Governor’s budget that would have made purchasing land all but impossible.

Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program: The state will honor commitments to farmers that had been jeopardized by Walker’s budget, but no future funding for this program that keeps agricultural land in production will be made available.

What’s next for Clean Wisconsin? There are still a lot of issues to work on with the legislature and the administration. We expect to continue working on high profile issues like mining and nuclear power yet this session, as well as continuing to push for policies that promote clean water, clean air and clean energy for Wisconsin.

To keep up to date on the most important environmental policies in Wisconsin, make sure to follow us on Facebook and join our action network!

Contributed by Amber Meyer Smith, director of programs and government relations.

Phosphorus Pollution: A Drag on Wisconsin’s Economy

Posted on June 14, 2011 by samweis

A couple of weeks ago, we shared Peggy’s story with you, which speaks to the devastating health impacts of blue-green algae blooms caused by excess phosphorus pollution in our waters.

Peggy’s story was one of many that we heard while we visited Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community that experiences foul algae blooms in lakes Tainter and Menomin every year.

Today we bring you part two of our video series highlighting the impact of phosphorus pollution on Wisconsin — As you’ll see in the video, phosphorus pollution is a serious drag on the economies of communities throughout Wisconsin that, like Menomonie, experience algae blooms.

If we don’t act now to clean up our waters, we can expect more and more lakes to experience such blooms.

Please watch and share — this video is copyright free!

-Contributed by Sam Weis, Video by Daniel Mostaza